2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Interior Aims to Please Most of Your Senses

Erick Ayapana[G+] Associate Online Editor March 18, 2013

When Audi reps visited our office during the week of the 2012 Los Angeles auto show, the chat got really interesting once the discussion turned to the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. “It’s going to be good,” one rep said. “We know it’s going to be really good.” The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class won’t officially debut until this May, but those Audi reps may start feeling anxious as Mercedes has pulled the wraps off the sedan’s interior, including extensive details on the creature comforts passengers can expect.

2014 Mercedes Benz S Class rear reclined interior seats 300x187 imageAs we’ve repeated many times before, many S-Class customers in markets outside of the U.S. spend most of their times riding in the back. That said, Mercedes says it paid a lot more attention to developing the long-wheelbase variant to better spoil the back passengers, offering them no fewer than five rear-seat variants. An Executive package, for example, allows the backrest to recline at 43.5 degrees. Standard wheelbase models will come with a standard bench rear seat or optional power seats that will recline up to 37 degrees. Additionally, a “First Class Rear” package will include items like an integrated telephone set, a folding table, and extra storage.

See photos of a completely uncovered 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan right here.

And an all-new Mercedes wouldn’t be complete without a cryptically named feature, which in this case is AIR-BALANCE, a collection of items aimed at improving the quality and scent of air flowing through the vents. In addition to an improved filtration system, the new S-Class will feature an ionizer that will clean the air from bacteria and other contaminants. If that weren’t enough, AIR-BALANCE also includes an “active perfuming system” that will allow passengers to personalize the smell of the cabin.

Mercedes has also improved the seat’s massage feature, with a new “energizing” function that mimics hot-stone therapy. The “stones” are essentially 14 air cushions within the backrest and each has its own heating element. If hot-stones aren’t your thing, the seats will feature five other massage functions, with two utilizing the heating feature. Speaking of heat, an optional “Warmth Comfort” package includes the ability to heat the door armrests (front and rear) and the center console, a feature which Benz says is a world-first. In addition to heating, the seats will have improved cooling, thanks to a new system that can reverse the fan’s rotational direction to draw cool air onto the seating surface.

2014 Mercedes Benz S Class massage options 300x187 imageNot surprisingly, Benz has improved the COMAND system. Mercedes isn’t ready to go into details about the new infotainment unit, but we do know the screen has been widened to 12.3 inches. The pictures also reveal a new instrument cluster that is fully digital and is highlighted by two round gauges for the tachometer and speedometer. Audiophiles will appreciate the “Frontbass” system, which features subwoofers housed within the firewall, utilizing the hollow space for improved bass frequencies (this technique was first used in the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL); A Burmester premium sound system is optional.

Overall, the interior showcases a number of notable improvements over the current-gen model. Panel gaps, for example, are much tighter – the space between the dash and front door panel are seemingly paper thin and the same goes for the glovebox cover. The dashboard, which has a more striking and upright appearance, is wrapped in diamond-pattern leather. The air vents are now round, as is the center-mounted analog clock, both of which are rectangular or square in the current model. The climate control buttons are still arranged in a simple line placed along the bottom edge of the wood trim. Designers have also increased the amount of interior ambient lighting, which can be found on the center tunnel and bordering the rectangular unit housing the instrument panel and COMAND screen.

While Mercedes appears to have nailed the interior, we’re eager to see the sheetmetal and get behind the wheel. As previously reported, the new S-Class should provide a silky smooth ride thanks to the rumored Magic Body Control, a camera-based suspension dampening system that surveys imperfections in the road ahead. We’ll also look forward to details on future variants including the rumored six-door Pullman model and a CL-style two-door convertible. In all, the S-Class is shaping up to be an impressive flagship, whether you’re sitting in the back seat or behind the steering wheel.