The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 stands as a beacon of automotive excellence, embodying the pinnacle of luxury, performance, and cutting-edge technology. Building upon the esteemed legacy of the S-Class, the 2018 iteration introduces a suite of innovations that solidify its position as a leader in the premium sedan segment. This article delves into the key features and advancements that make the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 a remarkable vehicle, focusing on its enhanced driving dynamics, opulent interior, and pioneering technologies.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is not merely an upgrade; it’s a significant leap forward. Mercedes-Benz has meticulously refined every aspect of this sedan, from its powertrain to its driver-assistance systems, ensuring an unparalleled driving experience. The introduction of enhanced Intelligent Drive features marks a pivotal step towards autonomous driving, providing drivers with increased support and safety on the road. Furthermore, a new generation of Mercedes-Benz engines promises improved efficiency without compromising on the exhilarating performance expected from the S-Class lineage.
This model year emphasizes comfort and wellness, setting new benchmarks within the luxury car market. The interior of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is a sanctuary of sophistication, featuring a next-generation dual 12.3-inch high-resolution display, seamlessly integrated under a single glass panel. New trim options and upholstery offerings further personalize the cabin, allowing discerning owners to tailor their vehicle to their exacting tastes.
Image alt text: Front view of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 showcasing its distinctive grille and LED Intelligent Light System.
Stepping Towards Autonomous Driving with Intelligent Drive
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 takes a decisive stride into the future of driving with its enhanced Intelligent Drive system. This suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies elevates the driving experience, providing a safer and more relaxed journey. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC and Active Steering Assist now work in harmony to offer even greater support to the driver, maintaining a safe distance from vehicles ahead and providing gentle steering inputs to keep the vehicle centered in its lane.
A significant advancement in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is the intelligent speed adjustment. The system now proactively adapts the vehicle’s speed when approaching curves or junctions. By utilizing map data and navigation information, the S550 anticipates changes in the road ahead, ensuring smoother and more predictable driving dynamics. This feature not only enhances comfort but also contributes to overall safety by reducing the need for sudden braking or acceleration.
Further solidifying its segment leadership, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 incorporates unique features such as the LED Intelligent Light System with Ultra Wide Beam, Road Surface Scan, and curve-tilting function. These technologies work in concert to provide optimal visibility, ride comfort, and stability, regardless of driving conditions. Road Surface Scan, for example, uses a forward-looking camera to detect bumps and imperfections in the road surface, proactively adjusting the suspension to minimize their impact on ride quality.
Image alt text: Elegant side view of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 highlighting its sleek silhouette and sophisticated design.
ENERGIZING Comfort: A World-First in Wellness
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 introduces ENERGIZING Comfort, a groundbreaking feature that marks a world-first in series production vehicles. This optional system revolutionizes the in-car experience by linking various comfort features to create a holistic wellness environment. ENERGIZING Comfort strategically utilizes the climate control, ambient lighting, massage functions, fragrancing, and audio system to tailor the cabin ambiance to the driver’s mood and needs.
With ENERGIZING Comfort, drivers of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 can select from six pre-programmed modes – Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort, and Training. Each program orchestrates a specific combination of vehicle systems to achieve the desired effect. For example, the “Vitality” program might utilize invigorating music, brisk air conditioning, and stimulating massage settings to combat driver fatigue, while the “Warmth” program may employ heated seats, soothing ambient lighting, and calming music to promote relaxation.
These ten-minute programs are visually enhanced on the vehicle’s head unit with color graphics and accompanied by curated music selections. The system can even analyze personal music preferences to align them with the selected program, further personalizing the wellness experience within the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550. ENERGIZING Comfort underscores Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to not only providing luxurious transportation but also prioritizing the well-being of its occupants.
Exquisite Exterior Design: A Statement of Modern Luxury
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 embodies modern luxury through its meticulously crafted exterior. The vehicle showcases an impressive quality of materials and workmanship, evident in every detail. All models in the S-Class range receive a new grille design, with the S550 featuring three twin louvers and vertical strips finished in high-gloss black, lending a sophisticated and assertive presence.
The front fascia of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550, especially when equipped with the new LED Intelligent Light System, is distinguished by three striking accents of light, serving as an exclusive design element. The redesigned sporty front bumper, with its pronounced air intakes, further enhances the vehicle’s dynamic appeal. At the rear, the new LED taillamps, designed to resemble crystal jewels, create a distinctive light signature, ensuring the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is instantly recognizable both day and night.
The lower bumper section has been redesigned across all models, integrating visible tailpipe trim. These tailpipes are elegantly framed by a chrome element that spans the vehicle’s width, adding a touch of refined detail. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 also offers new 20-inch alloy wheel options, allowing owners to further personalize the aesthetic of their vehicle.
Image alt text: Close-up of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Sedan’s rear LED taillights, highlighting their crystal jewel-inspired design and distinctive lighting signature.
Interior Revolution: Widescreen Cockpit and Advanced Controls
Stepping inside the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is an immersion into a realm of technological sophistication and opulent comfort. The interior is defined by the innovative widescreen cockpit, comprising two new high-resolution 12.3-inch displays. These displays are seamlessly integrated beneath a shared glass cover, creating a visually stunning and technologically advanced command center.
This widescreen cockpit in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 serves as both the instrument cluster and the central infotainment display. The driver can customize the display with three different styles – Classic, Sport, and Progressive – and configure the information and views to suit their preferences. This level of personalization ensures that the driver has access to the most relevant information in a format that is both visually appealing and easily digestible.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 also introduces new Touch Control Buttons on the steering wheel. These responsive controls react to swiping motions, much like a smartphone screen, allowing the driver to manage the entire multimedia system without removing their hands from the steering wheel. Furthermore, the multimedia system can be controlled via the touchpad with controller in the center console and through Voice Control, providing multiple intuitive input methods.
Authentic Materials and Meticulous Craftsmanship
The interior of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s unwavering commitment to quality. High-quality materials are used throughout the cabin, including new natural grain ash wood trim options. The meticulous attention to detail and craftsmanship is evident in every surface and finish, creating an atmosphere of refined luxury that is a hallmark of the Mercedes-Benz brand.
The color and material concept for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 has been carefully curated, featuring a wide range of brown tones and new upholstery color combinations such as Silk Beige/Deep-Sea Blue, Magma Grey/Espresso Brown, and Mahogany/Silk Beige. These sophisticated palettes enhance the sense of luxury and allow for further personalization of the interior.
Ambient lighting plays a crucial role in setting the mood within the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550. The optional extended ambient lighting system offers an expansive palette of 64 colors, providing a wealth of individual settings. This system illuminates trim elements, the central display, storage compartments, door pockets, and footwells, creating a customizable and immersive lighting environment.
Image alt text: Luxurious interior of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 showcasing the widescreen cockpit, premium materials, and ambient lighting.
Powertrain Excellence: The Heart of the S550
At the core of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 lies a potent powertrain designed to deliver both exhilarating performance and refined efficiency. The S550 is equipped with a responsive 4.0L V8 biturbo engine, producing an impressive 463 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. This engine ensures effortless acceleration and ample power for any driving situation.
This new biturbo engine in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is among the most fuel-efficient V8 engines in its class, achieving approximately ten percent better fuel economy compared to its predecessor. This improved efficiency is partly attributed to the CAMTRONIC valve-lift adjustment system, which deactivates four cylinders under partial load. This cylinder deactivation technology reduces fuel consumption without sacrificing performance when full power is needed.
The turbochargers in the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550‘s V8 engine are positioned within the V of the cylinder banks. This “hot inner V” configuration contributes to a more compact engine design, quicker turbocharger response, and reduced emissions. The powertrain of the S550 exemplifies Mercedes-Benz’s commitment to engineering excellence, balancing power, and efficiency in perfect harmony.
Enhanced Ride Quality: MAGIC BODY CONTROL and CURVE Function
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 builds upon the S-Class legacy of exceptional ride comfort with further advancements in suspension technology. The MAGIC BODY CONTROL system, which debuted in previous models, is further refined in the 2018 iteration. Road Surface Scan, a key component of MAGIC BODY CONTROL, now utilizes a stereo multi-purpose camera to scan the road ahead even more effectively, even in low-light conditions and at higher speeds.
A new feature for the S-Class Sedan, previously available only on the Coupe, is the CURVE function. This innovative system enhances ride comfort by allowing the body of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 to tilt into curves by up to 2.65 degrees. By counteracting centrifugal forces, the CURVE function significantly reduces the sensation of lateral motion for passengers, resulting in a more relaxed and enjoyable driving experience, especially on winding roads.
Advanced Lighting: LED Intelligent Light System with Ultra Wide Beam
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 continues the S-Class tradition of pioneering lighting technology. The LED Intelligent Light System is optionally available with advanced LED headlamps and Ultra Wide Beam high beams. The Ultra Wide Beam function expands the illumination area to the sides of the road, significantly improving visibility, particularly in dark rural environments.
Adaptive Highbeam Assist, integrated into the LED Intelligent Light System, allows drivers of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 to utilize the main beams continuously without dazzling other road users. The system automatically adjusts the beam pattern, dimming or switching off LEDs as needed to avoid glare for oncoming vehicles or vehicles ahead, while maintaining optimal illumination of the remaining road area.
Seamless Connectivity and Concierge Services
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 features a new generation head unit that expands telephone and connectivity options. Wireless charging for compatible smartphones is integrated into the storage compartment at the front of the center console, utilizing the Qi wireless charging standard. Near Field Communication (NFC) further enhances connectivity.
The available Burmester® High-End 3D Surround Sound System, with an impressive 1520 watts of output, has been further enhanced with additional speakers, creating an even more immersive audio experience within the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550.
For enhanced convenience, the mbrace® Concierge service offers a suite of personalized services to subscribers. From restaurant reservations to information retrieval and route guidance, the concierge service can be accessed directly via the i-button in the vehicle, providing a seamless and supportive ownership experience for 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 drivers.
Conclusion: The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 – A Benchmark of Automotive Excellence
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 represents a pinnacle of automotive engineering and luxury. With its suite of innovative technologies, including enhanced Intelligent Drive, groundbreaking ENERGIZING Comfort, and a potent yet efficient V8 biturbo engine, the S550 redefines the standards for premium sedans. Its meticulously crafted interior, sophisticated exterior design, and advanced connectivity features further solidify its position as a leader in the luxury car market.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S550 is more than just a car; it’s a statement of refined taste, technological prowess, and an unwavering commitment to driver and passenger well-being. It stands as a testament to Mercedes-Benz’s ongoing pursuit of automotive perfection, offering an unparalleled blend of performance, luxury, and innovation for the discerning driver.
