Mercedes-Benz has launched its flagship sedan S Class in India. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class also known as the ‘best car in the world’ is being available in India as a completely built-up unit (CBU). The Mercedes Benz S Class, BMW 7 Series, and Audi A8 L are always known for their trendsetting innovations. Here we see what makes the new S Class unique against the other two flagship luxury limousines.
1. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Design
The new Mercedes Benz S Class is based on the brand’s new design philosophy of sensual purity, making it look much younger than it’s predecessor. The front is dominated by the new high status radiator grille and distinctive LED headlamps with Mercedes Benz’s signature three-point daytime running light. The sensors, camera’s and other safety devices are beautifully integrated inside the high status radiator grille. Mercedes Benz S-Class is the only car among the three limousine which offers seamless door handles with futuristic design appeal. With the drastic weight reduction, improved wind-tightness, and optimised operating haptics, S-Class is one of the world’s most aerodynamic cars with a Cd value of 0.22.
The new BMW 7 Series with aggressive looking front fascia dominated by the chrome surrounded large kidney grille similar to the 2014 Vision Future Luxury Concept. The kidney grille is integrated by modish BMW Laser lights similar to the BMW’s iconic twin round headlamps.
The Audi A8’s front end is dominated by the wider hexagonal Singleframe grille, as well as the sleek contours on the engine hood and the headlight graphics. With the optional HD Matrix LED headlights, the daytime running lights are a visual extension of the grille’s top slat, forming a horizontal line of separation in the lights. Substantial chrome frames surround the air inlets, with a flat center inlet connecting them.
2. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Dimension
The new Mercedes Benz S Class is 34 mm longer, 22 mm wider and 12 mm taller than the previous generation. The wheelbase, too, has been increased by 51 mm, by which the rear-seat passenger legroom has been increased by 24 mm. In terms of dimension, the new Mercedes-Benz S Class is 29 mm longer, 207 mm wider and 24 mm longer than the BMW 7 Series, and 13 mm shorter, 164 mm wider and 24 mm taller than the Audi A8 L.
| Model | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Ground Clearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes Benz S Class | 5289 mm | 2109 mm | 1503 mm | 3216 mm | 140 mm |
| BMW 7 Series | 5260 mm | 1902 mm | 1479 mm | 3210 mm | 135 mm |
| Audi A8 | 5302 mm | 1945 mm | 1485 mm | 3128 mm | 124 mm |
3. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Interiors
Interior of the Mercedes Benz S Class is dominated by five screens which are part of the Mercedes’ MBUX system. The big 12.3-inch unit stacked up on the centre of the dash along with the floating tablet-like driver’s screen. equipped with a second-generation MBUX setup that includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an all-new vertical 12.9-inch OLED infotainment system with a fingerprint scanner. Also, there is a high-tech head-up display that supports augmented reality. Besides, the redesigned dashboard has rectangular-shaped air-con vents unlike the circular ones in the previous generation S-Class. The Active ambient lighting of the new S Class with around 250 LEDs integrated into the driving assistance systems, able to reinforce blind-spot warnings visually.
The new BMW 7 Series comes with bespoke leather upholstery and trims, ambient lighting, ambient air package and a panoramic glass roof sky lounge with LED light graphics to create that perfect ambience. The comfort-focused premium sedan from the German luxury car manufacturer offers four-zone automatic climate control, electrically adjustable comfort seats, massage function and active seat ventilation.
The new S-Class comes with 3 screens at the back – two mounted on the front seat backs and one armrest-mounted tablet for the rear-seat passengers. The “Hey Mercedes” voice assistant now supports 27 languages with natural language understanding (NLU). While, the new BMW 7 Series’ Rear-seat Entertainment Professional allows users to access the entertainment and navigation functions from the rear seats. It now comprises of two 10.2-inch full-HD touch displays with a Blu-ray player. BMW Touch Command, offers a fully integrated control option for entertainment and comfort functions for the rear. The 7-inch tablet with touch function, which is integrated into the centre armrest and connected to the vehicle systems, can also be used outside the vehicle.
Meanwhile, Audi A8 L also houses 5 touch screens which compromises a 10.1 inch touchscreen display, which, when off, blends almost invisibly into the high-gloss black surround thanks to its black-panel look. The second touchscreen display on the console of the centre tunnel is used to operate the climate control and convenience features, as well as enter texts through handwriting recognition. The rear-seat entertainment package that features two detachable tablets that can control various features in the car.
4. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Features
The new Mercedes Benz S Class comes with an array of new level technologies which includes features like the rear-axle steering, by which parking a 2021 S-class in tight space is now an easy task. With rear-axle steering and a large steering angle of up to 4.5 degree at the rear, the turning circle of the S-Class is reduced by up to 2 metres. The euro-spec S-Class has a rear steering angle up to 10 degree. The BMW 7 Series is also equipped with a similar feature known as Integral Active Steering. Meanwhile, Audi A8 L’s dynamic all-wheel steering system with an electric spindle drive turns the rear wheels inward by as much as five degrees opposite the centre at lower speeds to offer added manoeuvrability.
While the new Mercedes-Benz S Class comes with Burmester High-End 4D-Surround-Sound system, the BMW 7 series comes with Harman Kardon Surround Sound system and also offers an optional Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System. The Audi A8 L gets B&O 3D Surround sound system with front 3D Spatial Sound as standard and also offers an optional 23 speaker 1920 W Bang and Olufsen Advanced Sound System. Apart from Audi Phone box in the front, the Audi A8 L also gets an optional rear seat telephony. The BMW 7 Series has a panoramic glass roof Sky Lounge with LED light graphics.
The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz S Class and BMW 7 Series has a full Nappa leather trim, while the Audi A8 L gets a Valcona leather trim. The three limousine offers massage function for both front and rear seat passengers. The new S Class also offers neck and shoulder heating at the rear as well.
In terms of comfort, the new Mercedes Benz S-Class, BMW 7 Series and Audi A8 L rides on a 19-inch alloy wheels and comes with air suspension which enables raising and lowering of vehicle at the touch of button and automatically adjusts the height of the car suit to the selected driving condition. Just like the GLS and GLE, the Mercedes-Benz S Class also gets an optional radar based E-Active Body Control. The radar scans the road ahead, recognises road bumps and sets up the suspension in advance to manage them. The remote control parking feature using which driver can park a 7 Series into a tight parking space without being inside the car is not available on the S-Class or Audi A8 L, but both cars gets an advanced parking assistance system.
5. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Engine
The Mercedes Benz S Class is available in both petrol and diesel variants. The S400d is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 330 PS and 700 Nm of peak torque and reaches 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. While, the S450 is powered by a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 367 PS and 500 Nm of torque and reaches 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Both engines are mated to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with 4MATIC system and has a top speed of 250 km/hr.
The BMW 730Ld is powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesel engine, which produces 265 hp and 620 Nm of peak torque at 2,000–2,500 rpm and accelerates from 0–100 km/hr in 6.2 seconds. While, the BMW 740Li is powered by a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine, which produces 340 hp and 450Nm of torque at 1,500–5,200 rpm. The 740Li from 0–100 km/hr in 5.6 seconds. The Hybrid variant 745Le xDrive is powered a new lithium-ion battery, which produces 108 hp and 265 Nm of torque. The 3.0-litre six-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine with the electrical boost of the hybrid system delivers a total of 384 hp and 600Nm of torque. With an ARAI tested fuel economy of up to 39.5km/l, the BMW 740Le xDrive can accelerate from 0-100 km/hr in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of up to 250 km/hr. In fact, BMW 7 Series is the only limousine in the segment which is offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. BMW M760Li is powered by a massive 592 hp twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 engine. The BMW M760Li xDrive can reach 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, making it the most powerful and fastest car among the three flagship limousine.
While, the new Audi A8 L is available only with a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine in India. The 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine mated to an eight speed automatic transmission, produces 335 hp and 500Nm of torque. This powertrain comes standard with Audi’s latest mild-hybrid technology that includes a Belt Alternator Starter (BAS) and a lithium-ion battery with 10Ah electrical capacity. All three limousines comes with all-wheel drive system as standard.
6. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Safety
Mercedes Benz S-Class is always known for its safety standards. With the new S-Class, Mercedes-Benz takes another step closer to its vision of accident-free driving. The new S Class is packed with lot of innovative segment-first safety features. The driver is now supported by numerous new or extended driving assistance systems. When a dangerous situation is detected, the assistance systems are able to respond to impending collisions as the situation demands. With improved environmental sensors, the parking systems provide the driver increased support when manoeuvring at low speed. The new Mercedes Benz S Class is also the world’s first production car to be equipped with frontal airbag for the two passengers on the outer rear seats.
The BMW 7 Series is equipped with safety features like six airbags, Attentiveness Assistance, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) including Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), electric parking brake with auto hold, side-impact protection, electronic vehicle immobiliser and crash sensor, ISOFIX child seat mounting and integrated emergency spare wheel under the load floor.
Meanwhile, the Audi A8 L comes with safety features like Audi Pre-Sense basic, 8 Standard airbags which optionally upgradeable to 10 airbags with 2 central airbags for additional protection, Active Head restraints protect your neck from whiplash in the event of a rear end collision. The Surround Cameras enable you to negotiate tight spaces with a superior 3D view. The display can be pinched and zoomed for the best view of that tight corner.
7. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Lighting
The Mercedes Benz S Class comes with an advanced new Digital Light. The optional Digital Light system comes with cutting-edge technology in the headlamps. The 2.3 million pixel HD-quality headlights have three main LED lamps and each headlight unit has 1.3 million tiny mirrors packed in a module with a chip that ultimately illuminates the road up to 650 metres and therefore better visibility for the driver and greater road safety.
The BMW 7 Series is equipped with the Osram laser module featuring three high-power diodes from Osram’s subsidiary Opto Semiconductors. The laser boost, which is added to the high beam, offers beam range up to 600 meters.
The Audi A8 comes with a small laser module in each headlight, which generates a light cone that extends several hundred meters as a spotlight. The monochromatic and coherent blue laser beam has a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter transforms it into white light suitable for roadway use with a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin – ideal conditions for the human eye. The laser spot becomes active at speeds above 70 km/h and dims automatically if the camera mounted on the windshield detects other cars within its range. With all its functions complete with dynamic turn signals, each HD Matrix LED headlight incorporates 138 LEDs and one high-performance laser diode. With its refined play of metallic slats and chrome lines, the housing also underscores the status of the headlights as technological works of art.
8. Mercedes Benz S Class vs BMW 7 Series vs Audi A8 L: Price
The new BMW 7 Series which is priced at Rs 1.37 Crore (ex-showroom) is the most affordable flagship limousine in the segment. The new Mercedes Benz S Class is available in two variants. The S 400d 4MATIC is priced at Rs 2.17 Crore and S 450 4 MATIC is priced at Rs 2.19 Crore (ex-showroom). Price is expected to decline, once Mercedes Benz starts manufacturing the new S Class in India. While the Audi A8 L starts at Rs 1.57 Crore (ex-showroom).