The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has long been the gold standard for luxury sedans, and the 2018 model year refresh, unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show, solidified its position at the pinnacle of automotive opulence and technological innovation. While the exterior received subtle yet impactful updates, it was the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior that truly stole the show, setting new benchmarks for comfort, sophistication, and cutting-edge technology. This article delves into the meticulously crafted cabin of the 2018 S-Class, exploring the features that make it an unparalleled sanctuary of automotive luxury.
The Widescreen Cockpit: A Digital Revolution
At the heart of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior is the revolutionary widescreen cockpit. Gone are traditional analog gauges, replaced by two stunning 12.3-inch high-resolution displays seamlessly integrated under a single bonded glass panel. This creates a visually arresting and technologically advanced dashboard that dominates the cabin and provides an immersive digital experience for the driver and passengers.
This widescreen cockpit is not merely for aesthetics; it is a functional masterpiece. The left display functions as the instrument cluster, offering drivers a customizable view of vehicle information. They can choose from three distinct display styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – tailoring the information displayed to their preferences. The right display serves as the central infotainment hub, controlling navigation, media, vehicle settings, and more.
The clarity and responsiveness of these displays are exceptional, providing crisp graphics and intuitive menu navigation. This digital transformation significantly modernizes the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior, bringing it firmly into the future of automotive technology.
Intuitive Controls: Steering the Future from Your Fingertips
Mercedes-Benz understands that technology should enhance, not complicate, the driving experience. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior features a new generation of steering wheels equipped with innovative Touch Control Buttons. These responsive controls react to smartphone-like swiping motions, allowing drivers to manage the entire multimedia system and instrument cluster without ever removing their hands from the steering wheel.
Complementing the steering wheel controls are the familiar touchpad with controller in the center console and advanced Voice Control. This multi-layered approach to control ensures that every occupant can interact with the vehicle’s systems in a way that feels natural and comfortable to them. Even cruise control and Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC are intuitively managed via steering wheel-mounted controls, further minimizing driver distraction and maximizing convenience within the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior.
Authentic Materials and Meticulous Craftsmanship: The Essence of Luxury
Luxury is not just about technology; it’s about the sensory experience. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior is a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering commitment to using only the finest materials and employing meticulous craftsmanship. The cabin is swathed in high-quality materials, including new natural grain ash wood trim options that exude warmth and sophistication.
Every surface, from the hand-stitched leather upholstery to the meticulously finished wood and metal accents, speaks volumes about the attention to detail poured into the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior. The refined look and feel are hallmarks of Mercedes-Benz, creating an environment that is both visually stunning and incredibly tactile. The color palette has been carefully curated, featuring a range of elegant brown tones and new upholstery color combinations like Silk Beige/Deep-Sea Blue, Magma Grey/Espresso Brown, and Mahogany/Silk Beige, allowing for personalization while maintaining an air of refined taste within the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior.
Ambient Lighting: Painting the Cabin with Light
Setting the mood is crucial in a luxury environment, and the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior excels with its optionally extended ambient lighting system. Featuring an astonishing 64 colors, this system transforms the cabin into a personalized sanctuary of light. LED technology ensures longevity and energy efficiency, while the sheer range of colors allows occupants to tailor the lighting to their mood or preference.
The ambient lighting subtly accentuates the trim elements, central display, stowage areas, door pockets, and even the footwells, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere throughout the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior. When equipped with the Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System, the ambient lighting extends to the overhead control panel, further enhancing the immersive sensory experience.
ENERGIZING Comfort: Wellness on Wheels
In a world-first for series production, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior introduces ENERGIZING Comfort. This optional feature is a revolutionary approach to in-car wellness, linking various comfort systems to create tailored programs designed to enhance the driver and passengers’ physical and mental well-being.
ENERGIZING Comfort intelligently integrates the climate control system (including fragrancing), seat functions (heating, ventilation, massage), console heating, ambient lighting, and musical atmospheres. Six pre-programmed modes – Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort, and Training – each lasting ten minutes, are available to select based on individual needs. These programs are visualized on the headunit with color graphics and accompanied by curated music. The “Vitality” program, for example, utilizes upbeat music and invigorating settings to combat fatigue. The system even analyzes personal music selections to incorporate them into the programs based on beats per minute.
ENERGIZING Comfort transforms the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior into a mobile spa, promoting relaxation and rejuvenation on every journey.
Seats: First-Class Comfort for Every Occupant
Comfortable seating is paramount in a luxury sedan, and the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior delivers in spades. The seats are meticulously designed for optimal ergonomics and support, wrapped in supple leather and offering a wide range of adjustments to cater to individual preferences. Heating, ventilation, and massage functions further enhance the seating experience, ensuring that every journey, whether short or long, is enjoyed in supreme comfort. The focus on seat comfort throughout the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior, for both front and rear passengers, underscores the S-Class’s dedication to passenger well-being.
Conclusion: The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Interior – A Masterpiece of Modern Luxury
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior is more than just a car cabin; it is a sanctuary of modern luxury, technological innovation, and unparalleled comfort. From the breathtaking widescreen cockpit to the meticulously chosen materials and the groundbreaking ENERGIZING Comfort system, every detail has been carefully considered to create an environment that surpasses expectations. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior reaffirms its position as the benchmark for luxury sedans, offering an experience that is both technologically advanced and deeply human-centric, solidifying its place as the undisputed leader in its segment.
