Mercedes-Benz S350
The Mercedes S-Class Range Used To Have A Comparative Weakling In Its Midst Called The S320. The S350 Model Repairs The Chink In The S-Class Armour. By Andy Enright
Even Mercedes have been prone to the odd lapse of judgement, but when it comes to building the S-Class, they rarely take their eye off the ball. Yet thats exactly what many considered theyd done when persevering with the S320, a petrol-engined variant made to look a little redundant by the significantly cheaper and more satisfying S320CDi diesel model. Something needed to be done and that something is the S350. With a 3.
| Build |
 |
| Comfort |
 |
| Depreciation |
|
| Economy |
 |
| Equipment |
 |
| Handling |
|
| Insurance |
|
| Performance |
|
| Styling |
|
| Value |
|
7-litre petrol unit under the bonnet, this Benz puts the diesel upstart firmly in its place.
The S320 had long been recognised as the Achilles heel of the S-Class line up. Taken in isolation, it was a superb car and one that could put a lick on its closest rivals, but in the context of excellence established by its siblings, it was found wanting. Who would pay £46,690 for a car that sprinted to 60mph in 8.4 seconds, emitted 276g/km of CO2 and returned an average of 24.
6mpg when for over £2,000 less, you could buy the S320CDi that was just as quick, significantly cleaner and would return a cracking 35.3mpg? The fact that the diesel car aced its petrol sibling when it came to residual values made buying a new S320 an act of reckless financial folly. Buyers soon cottoned on and S320 sales dwindled, yet the more powerful petrol S-Class models were doing very well. It seemed that buyers didnt mind stumping up for fuel if they felt they were getting something special in return.
Thats the logic behind the S350. Its logic that has established the S-Class as the dominant force in the luxury car market, currently accounting for 46% of all European sales in this sector. The S350 looks set to account for a good share of that, as it rectifies almost every failing of the S320. With 245bhp on tap, this car will sprint to 60mph in 7.
3 seconds and continue right through to 153mph. Despite this huge increase in available performance, the S350 is actually less thirsty than its predecessor, returning a creditable average of 25.4mpg.
"Buyers didnt mind stumping up for fuel if they felt they were getting something special in return. Thats the logic behind the S350"
Mercedes have even managed to clean up its act on emissions a little, the S350 emitting 266grammes of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The price step up of around £2,000 over the S320CDi diesel remains, but buyers are likely to consider it a price worth paying. At £52,410, the S350 is by no means inexpensive, but it stands up as a value proposition very creditably. After a back to back drive, few would plump for a £56,863
Lexus LS430.
There has always been a suspicion that Mercedes attitude with the S-class has been to throw a multitude of high-technology features at it and wait to see what would stick (a theme also taken up by BMWs 7 Series). However, the latest version has dropped the gratuitous gadget count in favour of well-judged refinements. The styling has been modified slightly, the S350 getting the now-obligatory jewel-effect headlamps as well as a nip and tuck to the grille, bumpers and intakes designed to give a sleeker appearance. The interior has been given the once over with revised switches, thin chrome strips, improved upholstery and an exclusive designo couture range of materials and trim options.
Power is nothing without control and Mercedes have pioneered an innovative safety feature they dub Pre-Safe. This anticipates the threat of an accident and initiates preventative measures to deal with it. Mercedes accident research has shown that there often tends to be a relatively lengthy time window between the moment an imminent collision is detected and the actual time it occurs. Pre-Safe uses sensors in the ESP stability control program and the Brake Assist system to judge whether a critical situation is impending.
If so, the car will tension the
seat belts so that optimum air bag deployment occurs, will move the individual seats into the optimum positions and will even close the sunroof if the vehicle begins to skid. Does it work? Undoubtedly, but it would be fun trying to call its bluff. The COMAND (Cockpit Management and Navigation Display) system is now standard in all S-Class models and is replete with a larger and clearer 6.5" colour display. The seats have been redesigned to make them a little softer, but have spoilt a long-standing Mercedes tradition of rock-hard seating. It was always most entertaining to see somebody whod never travelled in a Mercedes before to leap into the seat and then have that shocked expression akin to that worn by people whove just stepped off an unseen kerb. It seems Mercedes have now figured out how to make seats that are softer but still orthopaedically supportive.
The optional Drive-Dynamic Multicontour seat is a wondrous thing, taking information from sensors that detect the cars steering angle, lateral acceleration and road speed and then adapting the seat in real time via a set of air bladders. Throw the S350 into a sharp right-hander and the Multicontour seat will firm up the left hand bolsters. The S350 represents something of a benchmark for the middle ground luxury car market. If Mercedes can repair a shortcoming as adroitly as this, the opposition might as well pack up now.
Me? I may write a letter to Mercedes pointing out the lack of straight line speed of their Vaneo
mini-MPV and then put myself first in line to evaluate the Vaneo 55 AMG. Mercedes is obviously a company with its ear to the ground
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR:
Mercedes-Benz S350 range
PRICES: £52,410-£55,160 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 266g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.3s / Max Speed 153mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 16.3mpg / (extra urban) 34.5mpg / (combined) 25.4mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Window and side airbags in all doors / ABS / Pre-Safe
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 5158/1855/1444
<< Back to Mercedes-Benz car reviews
<< Back to car reviews homepage
Find New & Used Cars in the UK |
New & Used Mercedes-Benz Cars For Sale UK
