DRIVEN: The Detroit-Based Press Says Essentially That The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Is...

You didn't think I'd give it away that easily, did you?

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is quickly starting to grow that mythological status that comes with great cars. Simply reading the statistics on paper or in a press release will probably make some folks' minds explode. I think that's what happened when The Detroit News' Doug Gunthrie got behind the wheel of the mighty German.

I mean, read this quote:

It was while considering the enormous complexity and sophistication of the new headlights that I realized I was looking at another lifestyle, another world. If one of these headlights breaks, it will cost a fortune to fix. But the people who buy the S-Class have fortunes.

Of course he goes on to give the vehicle an "excellent" rating and claims that the suspension is "like magic." Though I don't wish to throw daggers but when I read a review that largely is a press release and refrains from any true critique it makes me wonder two things:

1) Is the vehicle that good?

2) Is this guy/gal qualified to review the auto?

Hopefully we'll find out soon enough provided Mercedes ends its temper tantrum after those spy photos.

Mercedes-Benz describes the all-new 2014 S-Class full-size luxury sedan as “the best car in the world.” After driving the S-Class from this bustling Canadian metropolis to a remote area near Georgian Bay, I don’t think it’s a statement I can argue with. I’ve never driven or ridden in a quieter, more comfortable or more technology-infused machine.

Even a question posed by Hermann Storp, development director of the S-Class, seems moot. “Who’s luckier, the driver or the back seat passenger?” he asks.

Both. This car is built without compromise for the price-is-no-object crowd...

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HughJass - 9/1/2013 6:46:55 PM

+1 Boost

The LED band for the headlights makes me think its a Chrysler, sad thing is Chrysler started using it first. You'd think they'd come out with something a little more distinctive. It's as though they put in a KIA/Hyundai effort of just putting LEDs on for the sake of having them.

I'm still waiting for the first company to make their logo light up.

Agent00R - 9/1/2013 7:41:03 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes-Benz actually has a light-me-up logo...

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/accessory/title-Illuminated_Star/id-OEMPartNo:AQ00001110

hdbu - 9/1/2013 8:51:10 PM

+1 Boost

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2013/03/Scion-FR-S-limited-edition-10-Series-model-front-emblem-lit-2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://wot.motortrend.com/2014-scion-tc-molded-in-fr-s-image-2013-new-york-347431.html/scion-fr-s-limited-edition-10-series-model-front-emblem-lit-2/&h=938&w=1500&sz=327&tbnid=T8EivHp1-PPu-M:&tbnh=90&tbnw=144&zoom=1&usg=__uF-aeyTzrtNkoOP-FOVz0fcc8bI=&docid=jum1DHhjGbZbMM&sa=X&ei=9t8jUtbZHoLm2AWfkoCADA&ved=0CEMQ9QEwAQ&dur=1743

Satriani1 - 9/2/2013 3:06:25 AM

-5 Boost

When the Detroit News'Doug Guthrie saw "the enormous complexity and sophistication of the new headlights", he realized that he did not have the fortune to fix one of those broken headlights. It made him feel he was too poor to own and maintain one of these cars.

When I saw the new 2014 Mercedes headlight, I immediately realized that Mercedes shamelessly copied and rehashed certain design elements of the headlights that Audi innovated on its S5 in 2007.

old Audi S5 headlight
http://tinyurl.com/kmxjs6p
http://tinyurl.com/kbopu5l

new Mercedes S-Class headlight
http://tinyurl.com/qbxk7x8

How qualified is Detroit News to review the car? A quick search of the site indicates this media has never reviewed the current Audi A8 or BMW 7 Series -- so what basis do its reviewers have to review the new S-Class? As for the reviewer Doug Guthrie, he isn't listed as an auto columnist. He blogs on motorsports, but can't tell how experienced he is reviewing luxury cars (couldn't find his reviews on other cars than what's in this link). If he hasn't reviewed other luxury cars, it's likely any luxury car would impress him.
http://www.detroitnews.com/section/OPINION0374

First drive reports can be misleading. It's better to wait for comparison tests of this Mercedes against its facelifted Audi A8 and facelifted BMW 7 Series rivals, probably over the next six months (especially by German car mags).

It's interesting that a couple of German car mag comparisons suggested the new Mercedes S-Class and facelifted BMW 7-Series were close in rating -- indicating that the new Merc has probably not shifted the bar that much. While some of the S-Class' bells and whistles may dazzle inexperienced reviewers, it's likely that the overall impact of most of these features on driving or using the car doesn't have the same impression on the experienced German reviewers who have tested everything else in that luxury class.

Satriani1 - 9/2/2013 4:47:51 PM

-6 Boost

Do you have a brain? Or do you always take cheap shots to cover up your lack of facts and logic to the 4,300 other readers who read this blog? Lol.

merc07 - 9/3/2013 9:29:26 AM

+2 Boost

Who mentioned Audi or Bmw. Oh the fact that the reviewer said the new S-class is the best car in the world he must be unqualified to review cars. Im sure if he said the new A8 was the best car ever this would be an artile posted directly by you. Get over it. The s-class is back on top.