When Mercedes updated the S-Class W222 in 2017, the S500 lost its V8 in favor of a newly developed inline-six engine with soft hybrid technology. Its successor follows the same electrified recipe to further show that downscaling and electrification go hand in hand in today’s world of increasingly stringent emission regulations. Do not worry, because the new S500 has a lot of beats when driving on the Autobahn full tilt.
The people at AutoTopNL got hold of a W223 and pushed it to the maximum on one of the remaining unrestricted parts of the German highway. Even without looking at the badge or that flashy interior, you can see that it is a luxurious luxury vehicle by how quiet the cabin becomes immediately as soon as it closes the door.
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Then there is the smooth gearshift of the nine-speed automatic transmission, while the soundtrack delivered by the engine is not too bad for ‘just’ a six-cylinder. The S500 gets a bit noisy as the digital needle of the digital speedometer approaches 260 km / h, but it should still be one of the most relaxing ways to drive at that kind of speed.
Those who need more rum will have to wait for the AMG versions, but the V12-powered S65 will not return, as only the Maybach S-Class will use the twin-turbo 6.0-liter container. Instead, we hear that there will be an electrified S73e with somewhere around 800 horsepower or about 100 horses more than the upcoming S63e.
As beautiful as the inside looks in the video, the glossy black surfaces are likely prone to scratches and scuffs and therefore will not age. Then there is the reflection of the central air vents on the windshield, which can be a problem for people with mild OCD. These are all little cousins about the new S-Class, which in turn raises the bar for a technology-laden vehicle even higher.
The W223 is a smooth driver and the type of car you would like to drive and drive with a motorcycle. It’s a little sad that the coupe and convertible are not coming back for a new generation, but the silver rim is the next AMG GT and the SL roadster is designed to fill the void left after the downfall of the two -by S-class, to fill.