When Mercedes updated the S-Class W222 in 2017, the S500 lost its V8 in favor of a newly developed six-in-line engine with moderate hybrid technology. His successor follows the same electrified recipe to further demonstrate that downsizing and electrification go hand in hand in today’s increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Don’t worry, the new S500 has a lot of power when driven at full speed on the Autobahn.
The staff of AutoTopNL they got their hands on a W223 and pushed it as far as it could on one of the remaining unrestricted sections of the German highway. Even without looking at the badge or the ostentatious interior, you can say that this is a high-quality luxury vehicle by how quiet the cabin instantly becomes the moment it closes the door.
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Then there are the smooth, silky gear changes of the nine-speed automatic transmission, while the soundtrack provided by the engine isn’t too bad for “just” a six-cylinder. The S500 gets a little bit noisy when the digital hand of the digital speedometer approaches 260 km / h (162 mph), but this must still be one of the most relaxing ways to travel at this type of speed.
Those who need more energy will have to wait for the AMG versions, but the S65 with V12 engine is not coming back, as only the Maybach S-Class will continue to use the giant 6.0-liter twin-turbo. Instead, we are hearing that there will be an electrified S73e with somewhere around 800 horsepower or about 100 more horsepower than the upcoming S63e.
As good as the interior looks in the video, those shiny black surfaces are probably prone to scratches and scrapes and therefore will not age well. Then there is the reflection of the central air vents on the windshield, which can be a problem for people with mild OCD. Those are all minor imperfections about the new S-Class, which once again set the bar even higher for a technology-laden vehicle.
The W223 is a smooth operator and the type of car you want to drive and drive. It is a little sad that the coupe and convertible will not return to a new generation, but the silver lining is the next AMG GT Coupe and the SL roadster are being designed to fill the void left after the end of the two-door S-Class.