In our first drive of the new
S-Class, we reckoned that it was easily the best car in its segment. However,
that version had a 450bhp petrol engine, while this is the more sober 255bhp
diesel variant. So, does it still occupy its rightful place on the throne –
despite the diesel?
I was completely smitten by the new S-Class
when I drove it a couple of months ago, and I have to admit that this is
definitely the car to buy in the connoisseur segment. After an in-depth review
of the petrol variant’s abilities not so long ago, I must confess that it’ll be
a challenge for me to give you the low down on the S350 CDI without repeating
myself.
In
spite of its mammoth size, the Mercedes S350 CDI can be quite fun to drive too
Mercedes-Benz ensured that they left no
stone unturned, and this is why the new S Class – in both petrol and diesel
guise – is the best luxury car in its category. Starting from the design, to
the interior quality, fit-and-finish, and equipment levels, it’s a car that’s a
force to be reckoned with. The combination of luxury, ease of driving, and the
lounge like cabin are simply a class apart – the current competition doesn’t
even come close to this German leviathan.
However, the new S350 CDI plays a far more
important role in Mercedes Benz’s India line up than the S500. The reasons are
quite simple. Firstly, it costs far less than the petrol version, thereby
widening the target set of consumers, and, secondly, in a country where luxury
automobile customers are exclusively chauffeur driven, the S500 makes little
sense to a buyer. So, expect the majority of sales of the S-Class to be of the
diesel variant.
The
cabin of the Mercedes S350 CDI is pure indulgence
But, one valid question pops to mind, how
is the diesel S-Class to drive when you do actually decide to get behind the
wheel? Well, given how capable the chassis and suspension is, the S diesel is a
very capable car to drive. The 3-litre diesel engine produces 255bhp and 620Nm,
which means that despite its two-tonne plus weight, it still manages to hit the
100km/h mark in just 6.8 seconds, which is plenty quick. While the 7-speed
automatic gearbox is still a bit lazy, with the large amount of torque and the
flexibility of the engine, the diesel feels fast enough for our conditions.
Sure, the diesel engine’s humming sound is hardly music to your ears like the
V8 rumble of the S500, but, in most conditions, the engine is hardly audible
inside the cabin. But, then again, it does also have the Burmester sound
system, which contributes multi-fold in drowning out unwanted noise.
As far as the driving appeal goes, as one
would guess that the S in CDI trim is more of a passenger’s car rather than a
driver oriented one. Sure, the acceleration is more than adequate for everyday
use, and the air suspension does wonders for the cars ride and handling, but,
above all, the concentration of features is meant for the passenger rather than
the driver.
The
S350 CDI uses a 3.0-litre V6 motor which produces 258 HP and 620 Nm
Of course, the single biggest attraction of
the S remains the fantastic passenger comfort and the rear seat room – and, to
top it off, it comes with bucket loads of new features. The rear seats, even on
this version, come with a massaging function – and, of course, acres of room.
The rear mounted video screens have their own inputs, and come with wireless
headphones. Above all, the S retains that all-important sense that the
occupants are served with palatial levels of luxury and comfort.
So, safe in the knowledge that both
versions of the S are highly capable, which one would I buy? Well, the natural
reaction would be to choose the S500. But, honestly, this pipe dream is purely
fictional – of course! Realistically speaking, then, the S350 CDI offers more
than enough luxury for the best of us. And given the price tag – which is
$49,920 less than the S500 – the diesel version of the S class is a no-brainer
for even the most discerning luxury buyer.
