The 2022 Mercedes Benz S580 is a unique vehicle in itself. Its immense size, its racy silhouette and its refined mechanics give the S580 an allure that few vehicles are capable of achieving. Not to mention the impressive amount of embedded technologies.
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As I am reviewing the 2022 Mercedes-Benz 580S, I am thinking, who to recommend this very expensive car. I don't know. Perhaps the supper wealthy (although I believe people should live humbly and not extravagantly). So why test this expensive vehicle that only a few people can afford.
The good news, in fact, is that most of the new technologies that one can find in the 2022 Mercedes S580will be echoed in our cars within a few years. So we are discovering them in advance, even if it means test-driving it for a week for this review.
The S-Class is a benchmark for luxury, comfort, innovation and technology. Even today, it is aimed at the ultra-wealthy, but with the introduction of the 2022 EQS EV, the large electric sedan, I seriously wonder whether it can still present itself as the true flagship of Mercedes-Benz.
The Mercedes-Benz S Class is one of the most revered cars in automotive history. Countless technologies and innovations were initially introduced in one or another generation of the S-Class. The first S appeared in 1951, but the principle of the limousine at Mercedes-Benz dates back to 1903.
Exterior
At the front, the S-Class has the manufacturer's most advanced optical units. Powerful, 1 million pixel matrix laser illumination elements frame oncoming vehicles to prevent glare. The radiator grille changes a little in its shape, and we still retain the traditional silver star in the bonnet ornament.
The S580 is long, and that's normal considering its vocation. If ever the optics of owning a 5,289 millimeter car intimidates you, count on the “short” S500 at 5,119 millimeters. Even if it is completely revised, it maintains its semi-circular roof arch. For the rest, everything is smooth with a character line in the upper part that stretches over the entire body.
The S580 looks like a limousine. As the Mercedes S580 is longer than the S550 Its S500, my test car's longer wheelbase allowed for spectacular rear-seat clearance. Even the doors to give access to it are excessively large. And the two doors open very widely.
Under the hood, the 2022 Mercedes S580 offers a noteworthy arsenal. Torque News got the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 in our car. Its power: 496 horsepower and some 21 additional horsepower with the EQ Boost function. It is a very light hybrid mode. The 9-speed gearbox is installed in addition, as is the all-wheel drive. In addition, the directional rear wheels are an additional element for driving assistance. When you buy a car like this the fuel economy probably will not interest you. But we should care and be caring people. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S580 gets 19 miles per gallon and 16/25 city/high MPG respectively.
Interior
What defines first and foremost an S-Class is the luxury of its cabin. This W223 is no exception. The interior design mixes high quality materials. The finish borders on obsession, and for once in a modern Mercedes-Benz, it doesn't crack. Comfort is obvious, front or rear. There's very little you can't do with these seats. Heated and ventilated, of course, but we also offer several different massage styles. Adjustable in all directions, we find our account.
It's not so much the engine that impresses with its novelty, it's more the interior comfort of driving. Imagine, a car so quiet that it's like being in a sound booth. A high-end sound system is also in order. A large central screen displays the controls in a system called MBUX whose ergonomics are intuitive, and voice commands easy to use. Speaking of the MBUX: the MBUX Interior Assist, which recognizes gestures as well as hand movements towards the touchscreen or touchpad and highlights or activates the desired content, is one of the novelties in the 2022 S580. Another notable addition to the 2022 model year, is the availability of the company's E-Active Body Control in the lineup.
The augmented reality navigation function and voice commands also receive some updates to be even more natural. AR navigation now projects a sharper readout on the head-up display. Of course, the fluidity, graphics, sharpness and handling of all screens and cameras cannot be faulted
Basically, the car simply acts as a personal assistant. An additional example: at the bottom of the screen, the S580 has a fingerprint reader that allows it to recognize you and associate you with a predetermined profile. Put your finger down, the seat will position itself for you, the heater will adjust and you'll have your favorite station.
The Burmester Surround 4D audio system distributes all the sound through 30 loudspeakers distributed throughout the cabin. The atmosphere is subdued by the ambient lighting which consists of fiber optics distributed every 1.6 centimeters. You will find more than 250 all around you..
Inside, the experience appeals to minimalism and quality. The leathers remind us of the most classic Mercedes, real leathers, very luxurious and with a thick texture. The same can be said of the wood finishes and metallic textures. In other words, the focus is much more the sensory experience, what you can touch and see. For the same reason, Mercedes worked a lot on the user experience: doors with soft opening and closing, soft cushions on the headrests, state-of-the-art ambient lighting, etc.
Regarding the trunk, both body options (the S500 and S580) cover a total of 550 liters in the internal combustion versions. This figure is reduced to 350 liters in the plug-in hybrid. In addition, the trunk is not upholstered in its upper part, with exposed sheet metal. It does have lighting, a 12 V socket, some fasteners and various bags with cables and accessories.
Another great novelty is that the S-Class has more than 50 electronic devices that can be updated over-the-air (wirelessly).
As for driving, softness is in order, silence too, but the power develops without any hesitation.
The Mercedes S580 is a giant in its world. By its dimensions of course, but above all by its disconcerting ease in offering comfort and softness.
Among the models that aspire to rival the S-Class we find other sedans in its class, including Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Genesis G90. However, given the aspirations of the S-Class and the possibility of accessing very exclusive versions under the Maybach emblem, the S-Class can also be considered as a rival to the Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Ghost.
P.S. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz S 580 that Torque News reviewed came with AMG floor mats, but this was not the AMG S 580. I guess Mercedes Benz USA likes to throw a couple of AMG items to make the car look "cooler."
Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebok, Linkedin and Youtube.
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