What Does The Next-gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class NEED To SUCCEED?

wings

It does have wings. The Brits call every side panel of a car a "Wing". Door panel? Wing, Fenders? Wings, Rear 1/4 panel? Wing.

The same thing every S Class has given world leaders, celebrities, public figures, icons, the pope, well heeled citizens, athletes, entertainers, actors, musicians, mafia, drug lords, and gangsters...

a feeling unlike anyother when driving or riding in one. I’ve never envied the S Class team at Mercedes its like predicting the future and ridiculous attention to detail.

There’s also something about that 3 pointed star at the end of that long bonnet like a target focused on your destination and to know only Rolls and Benz have a standing emblem today.

ditch the gimmicky curvy dashes on ALL their product, it looks so tacky and cheap when lit up with LED's, especially on a car over 100,000k, put the gear shift back where it wants to be on the CONSOLE, not steering column. When I drive I like my hand on the gearshift, kind of like holding your junk as you drive.

Once one has either driven a S-Class or having been a passenger in one on a long road trip, it is clear that it is simply the best in its class. A wonderful experience leaving you with wonder and amazement. It has just got that undescribable wow factor. Competitors remain wannabes

Two things -

(a) The faux-futuristic instrument panel that is flashy and distracting at night.

(b) The droopy rear end that results in tiny trunk space for the S-Class (esp with the rear fridge and reclining rear seats) and looks like its about to drop a deuce from certain angles.

No question the Star is huge. I remember the satisfaction of my first, looking down the hood and seeing the star. Of course that car was a marvel of engineering, simply bullet proof, a superb vehicle. That is no longer the case, take the EClass that when launched only came with an anemic 4 cyl and no leather. The C Class, same thing, crappy buzzy 4 w/anemic power, but its got a flashy dash. To get a vehicle with luxuries a $50K+ automobile should have standard, costs dearly. Don't get me wrong they're nice cars but they're not what established Mercedes. Going down market brought in alot of new buyers and that has worked for MB as many of their products are not class leading and certainly not over engineered masterpieces. What they're living off of now is a good product, GREAT Marketing, superb customer experience and service, but at substantial costs. As good as their cars are they cannot punch the upper echelon into Rolls/Bentley territory as they don't have the cache. Maybach will help marginally but MB ain't going to that level. As for me, I'm done w/MB as there are too many other excellent alternatives at a better value. If every MB car were still made like a W126 or W124 we'd have something to discuss. What this ugly new S Class needs to succeed is alot of folks who still work, w/alot of money...

Opulence, unabashed Opulence, and interior worthy of the most sophisticated citizens on earth and a style that is both conservative and in your face.. glacial styling changes will not cut it, this has to be modern, sexy and Opulent enough to make a jaded royal turn their head and look.

Mercedes just needs to make it different enough from the current model to distinguish generations. The current generation has been received so well, that folks need to find the nitpickiest items to criticize it. Would love to see an S-Class take on the new A-Class interior.

Some of the styling of the new GT. Recent MBs have great surface tension and details. Make the interior even richer and silent. The do not intend to compete with Rolls Royce and they are in significantly different price classes.

I had the new GLC as a loaner and it was in a class by itself. It was very quiet, had excellent driving dynamics and had a special feel. The turbo 4 had ample power and was quiet. MB needs to keep uping the ante like this.

Serious weight reduction.

Big MPG increase.

It should be an all-hybrid design.

I'd like it to look less like a blubbery whale and more patrician like a 450SEL6.9.

First - Tesla is not in the upper premium class with the Mercedes S class- so a comparison of its sales to a Model S is not worth anything.

It will not be all Hybrid - that is ridiculous. IT will remain available with LOTS of options from 6 cylinder Turbos on up - and MAY still have a 12 cylinder (Although I will not be surprised if that is gone too).

Obviously it will need MAJESTIC styling - and it will need to add more of the features MB had added since its last incarnation. Frankly - these cars (including My Maybach) already have far more features than I will ever take the time to understand - But the Current S class has the Prestige Factor that others do no (It is not in the Phantom class though) and I suspect that the new one will remain at the top as well

@TomM First The Tesla Model S transacts for very similar money to the Mercedes S so a comparison is most decidedly fair game.

All-hybrid is NOT ridiculous and instead is supremely logical given the advancement of electrification and is therefore quite likely.

So now you have a Rolls Phantom and a Maybach?

They just need to not screw it up.

Now, I'm one to rigorously defend the likes of the 7-Series against what I believe to be the unwarranted, uninformed, and unable-to-afford criticism it seems to get online. But, Mercedes understands this market better than its competitors, that's just simply borne out by the facts and figures.

I do NOT think the S-Class is inherently, automatically, or vastly superior to the 7-Series. I think they are equal rivals, with leanings towards one taste or another, and what most people see as faults are either matters of opinion, or intentional decisions made by the manufacturer as to the character with which it chose to imbue its entry in to this market segment. Interior/exterior design as an example of the former, the handling/comfort trade-off as an example of the latter.

However, while these design and character decisions only have bearing on which car is "better" on an individual basis, overall the S-Class seems to routinely align its nature more closely with what buyers in this segment want more often than its rivals.

That doesn't make the S-Class "better" than the 7-Series, but it does make it more popular.

Both cars are so stunningly capable and so incredibly well-executed, that market leadership comes down largely to buyer preference, and that's where the S-Class continues to hit the mark.

Barring any massive blunders or faults (unlikely), the S-Class can continue playing the same game it always has, and it will continue to win.

Actually, not really. The universal praise for the S over the 7 amongst a vast array of automotive journalists/publications says everything that needs to be said about how well the S executes "luxury flagship" vs. the 7. It's not just a bunch of keyboard warriors out there making false and/or assumed criticisms of the 7.

There is some truth to that.

I'm making reference to most of the people online who say things like "give me the S-Class..." or "for my money..." when they will never get either car nor have the money for them.

I find, with a few exceptions, the major auto publications tend to be pretty accurate in their comparison of the two, and two major themes always emerge:

- The S-Class is a little smoother, quieter, and more refined (which they prefer); the 7-Series is a little faster, more athletic, and more fun to drive (which they don't prefer).

- The S-Class looks elegant on the inside and outside (which they prefer); the 7-Series looks restrained on the inside and aggressive on the outside (which they don't prefer).

I don't fault them for preferring the S to the 7, again because the S better addresses the needs and expectations of this market segment.

What it doesn't need if you live in northeast is 20" wheels...got 5 flats in 39 months in mine from potholes!

S65 replaced by S73 Hybrid, more efficient, much, much quicker and powerful, and with AWD you will be able to use that power instead of destroying tires.

Coch & Ilaroo >>>> Ditto those comments

Not really sure about the S Class...It's the undisputed king of the road...just keep doing what you're doing. I would however love to see a version of the S Class with all the space and amenities in a CLS type design. I think that would be sick and a great option. Of course you would give up a little rear head room but there is plenty to give.

I'd love the S Class to get back some of the rumble of older Mercedes sedans like the 450SEL6.9 and the AMG Hammer. I have driven both. I can get access to both and every time I beg a drive, I fall in love.

Just show up. That's it.

My understanding is that the S-Class pretty well defines the segment. Who else is there? BMW's 7 series? Audi's A8?

Yes to both.

The S-Class defines and sets the tone for this segment, by virtue of its peerless ability of Mercedes to align its attributes to the needs of the customers in this market.

There are also the 7-Series and A8, which offer their own propositions and interpretation of this market space, but are much less likely to have that interpretation overlap with what customers actually want.

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