Mercedes’ New Flagship Arrives In Malaysia

​Last week, we saw the official introduction of four new variants of the stellar S-Class range which are now available in Malaysia by Mercedes-Benz Malaysia. The range begins with the base S 450L, the S 560 Cabriolet, the big-hitting S 63 Coupe AMG and the high-roller of the lot, the Mercedes-Maybach S 560.  

The Mercedes-Maybach S 560

The keyword in the Maybach S variants is “Individuality”. Yes, variants, because you get to choose from either a V8 or V12 ( Maybach S 650). And yes, goes without saying that they come at a cost- starts at RM1.4 million, without the add-ons and customisations. As such, it is the range-topper of the entire new S-Class range and few will contest this status it receives. This new Mercedes-Maybach S 560/S 650 features a new radiator grille, optional two-tone paintwork and new exclusive colour combinations in the interior that make it look like a true high-roller’s car. 

It comes in a two-tone exterior paint finish, and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia was keen to impart that there will be nine different colour combinations in the near future for customers to choose from. Also on option, is the double clear coat is available as a further new option for all dark colours. Riding on sleek 20′ multi-spoke wheels (there are three designs to choose from), this Maybach S is significantly longer than even the S Class Saloon by 20 cm As such, rear passengers benefit from this increased size, as well as from standard equipment that includes Executive seats on both left and right and other exclusive details such as innovative voice amplification. It gets a Burmester® high-end 3D surround sound system​, which uses 27 speakers (yes, you read that right!) to give you a cabin that is simply stunning. It also comes with a panoramic sliding sunroof with “Magic Sky Control” a design that allows the 2-section panoramic sliding sunroof changes from dark to transparent or vice versa within a few seconds.

At the heart of the luxurious comfort and style is the ‘ENERGIZING’ comfort control feature, a system that combines various in-vehicle comfort systems into precisely defined programmes for enhanced alertness and well-being during a journey. It includes climate control, fragrancing/ionisation, lighting mood, music/videos as well as massage function, heating and ventilation of the seats. The intelligent principle: one main function dominates, while other accompanying functions reinforce the desired effect of the programme (each programme lasts 10 minutes). The programme always includes, for example, an adapted lighting mood from the ambience lighting as well as special fragrancing/ionisation from the ‘AIR BALANCE’ package. The Air Balance package is basically a selection of six high-quality interior fragrances to suit personal preference and mood. All these however, are just the tip of a very opulent iceberg. To really understand the Maybach S, you need to see it in the flesh because quite honestly, there’s no point telling you that it goes to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.

Mercedes-Benz S 560 Cabriolet

Sitting in second place within the S-Class family, but only because there’s a Maybach in the mix, is the Cabriolet option of the S, the S 560. Besides the extensive interior updates you’ll see below, it gets things like new driver assistance systems, new OLED tail lamps and even a restyled side skirts and chrome-plated twin tailpipe trims with a V12 look. Also to go with that are newly designed front aprons with chrome-plated front splitter and voluminous air inlets too. 

The interior is a beautifully crafted one, which comes in three trims as well – high-gloss brown burr walnut wood, satin-finish grey ash wood and flowing lines designo magnolia wood. The focal point of the interior however, is the two new high-res displays of 12.3 inches. The two displays have been fitted under one shared glass cover to deliver what is known as the Widescreen Cockpit. It’s a stunning and modern inclusion for the S 560 Cabriolet. and as a central element consequently emphasise the horizontal orientation of the interior design.The Cabriolet also gets the aforementioned ‘ENERGIZING’ comfort control on option.

On top of the gorgeous looks, the Cabriolet comes fully-stoked with a powerful 4.0-litre biturbo V8 engine, that’s good for 469 hp and 700 Nm of torque. It takes to the road suing Mercedes’ famous AIRMATIC air suspension which comes as standard. This S-Class Cabriolet also comes equipped with some minor autonomous driving tidbits such as ‘Active Distance Control DISTRONIC’ and ‘Active Steering Assist’ to provide more safety to the whole experience. The speed is now adjusted automatically ahead of bends, junctions or roundabouts. For example, Active Distance Control DISTRONIC makes considerably greater use of map and navigation data than hitherto. How much for this sexy S 560 Cabriolet? It starts off at RM1,310,662.21 before you throw in some customisations.

Mercedes-AMG S 63 Coupe

With a sprint time time that can make some supercars look silly, the road-bruiser of the S-Class range is quite the slugger- Under the muscular bodywork is a 4.0-litre biturbo V8 handmade by AMG, tuned to the manic melody of 612 hp and a whooping 900 Nm of torque. All that power gushes out to the rear wheels via a nine-speed AMG Speedshift MCT and under the right driver, this beastly thing dismantles the century sprint in just 4.2 seconds. Mercedes-AMG has also thrown in ‘AMG Cylinder Management’, a cylinder deactivation system that in the partial-load range, cylinders two, three, five and eight are deactivated, which significantly lowers the fuel consumption. 

Its Panamericana radiator grille does a lot to provide the muscular proportions you see here and even at the rear, there’s an updated rear apron with diffuser insert, not to mention those naughty looking twin tailpipes of the AMG exhaust system that does well to denote its raunchy soul. We’re told that the aural experience from the S 63 Coupe is as beastly as it looks. New additions to this mammoth of a Coupé are also the OLED (organic light-emitting diode) rear lamps, characterised by their thin-film design. A total of 66 OLEDs (33 left and 33 right) produce the rear beams.

Over on the inside, its an unmistakebale AMG affair, one we’ve grown to love. Things like AMG power sports seats, pristine Nappa leather and AMG badges all adorn the interior in a nice blend of sporty and elegance. Special touches include the embossed emblem on the armrest of the front centre console and the analogue clock in exclusive IWC design, which features three-dimensional, milled metal hands and genuine metal appliqués on the face. The interior also sees the fitting of the 31.2-centimetre TFT wide-screen colour display that nicely shows round dials and information like engine speed, vehicle speed and other performance-slanted data. At an asking price RM1,461,605.60 before personalisation, the S 63 Coupe AMG has so much of details to its experience that it would be pointless to list them out here. But for what it’s worth, here are some visuals to give you a clearer picture.

Mercedes-Benz S 450 L

Under its regal hood is a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine that is mated with a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. In symphony, the S 450 L dishes out 367 hp with 500 Nm of torque for a 0-100 sprint time of 5.4 seconds. Of course, amidst the ranks of the other variants in the S-Class, it is the slowest, but again, this is Mercedes’ calling card. This status can be seen as always, in its interior that comes with atmosphere lighting with 64 different colours to choose from, all coming from energy-saving LED technology. This, coupled with its high-end Burmester® surround sound system quite frankly makes this the perfect cabin surely.​ Before the inplementation of the coming SST, it starts at RM699,888 before options.