S-Class sets new standard in luxury segment in Kuwait

Trailblazing innovations in comfort and drive engineering combined with state-of-the-art technology for enhanced safety consolidate the Mercedes-Benz flagship's position as the brand's innovation driver and underscore its pioneering role in the automotive industry as a whole.

Mr. Palli Musthafa, Senior Manager Sales & Operations, Albisher & Alkazemi Co, said:

"For around six decades, the S-Class has embodied classic Mercedes brand values like safety, comfort and refinement. The S-Class enjoys a special status to this very day: There is no other vehicle identified more strongly with the Mercedes-Benz brand than the S-Class. It is the synonym for success in the top market segment - and the "original point of reference" for the luxury class."

The S-Class's traditionally exemplary standard of safety is further enhanced by a unique combination of innovative camera- and radar-based driver assistance systems which turn the luxury saloon into an 'intelligent' partner on the road. These systems include Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and the advanced Night View Assist Plus facility. Other innovations are the Attention Assist drowsiness detection function and automatic crosswind stabilisation.

As a world first, on request Mercedes-Benz will equip its flagship model with the new Splitview technology for the Comand control and display system centrally located in the centre console.

This innovative display concept allows the driver and front passenger to view different content simultaneously on one and the same screen. While the driver uses the map-based navigation system, for example, the front passenger can be watching the latest film on DVD.

A world-first combination of state-of-the-art assistance and protection systems is available for the 2010 S-Class. Many of these systems are also available in the new E-Class, which has been on the market since the end of March. The new assistance systems turn the S-Class models into "intelligent" partners for their drivers. The car is able to "see", "feel", to respond "instinctively" to detected dangers and to act "on its own initiative" in order to avoid accidents or to reduce the severity of accidents.

Similarly to the established Mercedes inventions ABS, ESP, Brake Assist and Pre-Safe, the new assistance systems are also geared to the realities of how accidents occur and what consequences they entail. The aim in developing these systems was to prevent particularly common and serious collisions. With this concept, the S-Class not only protects its own occupants but also plays a key role in enhancing safety for other motorists.

To this end, Mercedes-Benz also deploys cameras which scan the road far ahead of the vehicle, monitor the surrounding area and interpret typical critical situations. Such cameras are employed in the optionally available Adaptive Highbeam Assist system, for example.

This system detects vehicles with their lights on which are travelling towards or ahead of the car in which the system is fitted and controls the headlamps such as to ensure the largest possible range without dazzling other drivers.

The Sindelfingen-based engineers have also enhanced Night View Assist, which is now equipped with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as the system detects pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted on the display to make them more readily noticeable.

Lane Keeping Assist is another system that 'looks ahead' for even safer driving. The system's computer is able to recognise lane markings by evaluating the contrasting images of the road surface and the markings. If the vehicle leaves the lane identified by the Assist function unintentionally, the driver is warned by short vibrations of the steering wheel. Unlike conventional systems of this kind, the Mercedes system is able to evaluate the driver's activities as well, and can reliably ascertain whether the car is leaving its lane intentionally or not. There is, therefore, no warning if the driver accelerates before overtaking or joining a motorway, brakes heavily or enters a bend, for example.

With the drowsiness detection system Attention Assist, the 2010 S-Class has a very sensitive feel for the attention level of its driver, and warns him in good time when he becomes drowsy. This innovative technology continuously monitors more than 70 different parameters. Once the high-resolution steering angle sensor recognises the steering behaviour that typically indicates the onset of drowsiness, a warning signal is sounded and "Attention Assist. Break!" appears in the instrument cluster.

Mercedes-Benz has also improved the long and medium-range radar used by Brake Assist PLUS and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control. Both systems assist the driver during emergency braking.

Detailed fine-tuning has also given the 2010 S-Class better driving dynamics and agility. This is in large measure due to the new Direct-Steer system, where the ratio varies with the steering angle.

In line with its self-assured character and its claim to be a technological trendsetter, the 2009 S-Class also sets standards where onboard infotainment is concerned.

In addition to the splitview option, Mercedes-Benz has also extended the standard control and display system Comand with additional functions such as an SD memory card slot. Other new features include a modified Bluetooth interface, which provides for a wireless link between a mobile phone and the standard onboard hands-free system, and a USB interface. These enable customers to export saved data and import them into any other S-Class. As an optional extra Mercedes-Benz also offers a Media Interface - a universal interface in the glove compartment for mobile audio devices such as an iPod and USB stick.

Musical entertainment is provided by a radio, a CD/DVD player with MP3 function, an equalizer with speed-dependent volume control and the Music Register with a 7.2 GB hard disc which stores around 2500 digital music files in MP3, AAC or WMA format. The system recognises music files played on CD, DVD or from the Music Register using its stored Gracenote database, and shows the title, album and performer in the colour display. The new Music Search function enables S-Class drivers and passengers to search SD memory cards, USB sticks, CDs and DVDs for specific music titles and performers. Comand APS also includes the latest-generation LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system, which operates the navigation, telephone and audio devices by whole-word commands.

Mercedes-Benz has also increased the range of rear-seat entertainment functions in the 2010 S-Class. Passengers in the rear now have a remote control unit which enables all the audio and telematics functions of Comand to be operated, plus access to external devices via the Media Interface. Mercedes-Benz also offers a rear-seat entertainment package with two eight-inch displays on the rear surfaces of the front seat head restraints, two wireless headphones and a separate CD/DVD player with connections for external audio and video devices.

The modified design reflects the effortless superiority and power of the S-Class Saloon. It is characterised by the more pronounced arrow-shape of the radiator grille, plus a new front bumper with a discreet light-catching contour and a chrome strip below the cooling air intakes.

An even more dynamic look is ensured by the LED Light package with its striking LED arrays for daytime driving lights, indicators and marker lights (standard in the GCC specification). These lend an unmistakable day-and-night design to the front end. The rear end is characterised by tail lights in an innovative LED design.

Mercedes-Benz also makes more use of light as a styling element in the interior through ambient lighting (standard in the GCC specifications). Customers have a choice between three lighting moods: solar (amber), neutral (white) and polar (ice-blue).

"The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the best-selling German luxury sedan in the Middle East, has been awarded the highest number of overall points for the third time running in the latest J.D. Power APEAL customer survey. This result by the internationally renowned market research institute underlines the high level of Mercedes customers' satisfaction with the quality and design of their new cars," said Mr. Pablo Souto, Regional Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Passengers Cars, Daimler Middle East and Levant.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz S-Class was launched at a media event in the Albisher & Alkazemi Company showroom in the presence of Mr. Mohammed Albisher, Director Albisher & Alkazemi Company, Mr. Horst Neuber, General Manager and other senior management officials.

The next generation S-Class will be available in Kuwait exclusively from Albisher & Alkazemi Co. - Authorized General distributors of Mercedes-Benz from August 20th onwards.