2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Intelligent Drive assistance systems

We’ve been hearing about Level 3 autonomy off and on with the new S-Class for a little while now. However, when we received the U.S.-specific press release, there was no mention of Level 3 autonomous driving to be found. Upon looking into the European information, we discovered that Mercedes does plan on offering such capability.

However, it won’t be hitting German streets until the second half of 2021. And as of today, there’s no date on when it’ll be hitting American (or even other European) streets.

Mercedes calls the Level 3 system “Drive Pilot.” It’ll be usable “in situations where traffic density is high or in tailbacks, on suitable motorway sections in Germany.” (And by the way, “tailbacks” means traffic jams.) Mercedes says that when the system is active, the driver has the freedom to undertake other activities, such as browsing the internet or texting. There is no need to touch the steering wheel or pedals. That said, there are still plenty of restrictions. Currently, German law doesn’t allow the system to operate at speeds higher than 37 mph (though Mercedes says it’s capable of higher speeds), which makes it impossible to use in anything outside of a highway traffic jam. Mercedes also states that “the driver must remain ready to take control and be able to continue driving the vehicle manually within 10 seconds.” That means no sleeping. In fact, Mercedes has implemented a driver monitoring system similar in concept to the one in Cadillac’s Super Cruise that constantly monitors head and eye movements. If you’re not satisfying the computer, it’ll make you take the wheel back. If the driver fails to respond to all the car’s commands, it will eventually bring the vehicle to a stop in its lane and unlock the doors.

Drive Pilot is realized by a number of additional sensors on the car. In addition to all the standard sensors, Mercedes uses lidar, one additional rear camera in the rear window and more external microphones. These last two are especially useful at identifying emergency vehicles coming from behind, a common occurrence in traffic jams. An extremely accurate, digital HD map is also vital to its operation, giving the car information about the road geometry, route profile, traffic signs and traffic accidents (this last one uses the car’s internet connection for the most updated information). The vehicle’s location is found via mapping that is far more precise than a usual GPS system, too.

Mercedes says the system is ready for introduction to the U.S. market, but it’s waiting on the legal situation to allow such technology in a production car.

The second automated system we’ll touch on here is parking. Mercedes says the new S-Class is equipped with technology for Level 4 autonomy in specific parking situations. It’s called “Automatic Valet Parking,” and it’s true driverless parking tech. Assuming you’re at a properly equipped parking structure, you’d be able to drop your car off in a designated location, press a button on your Mercedes app from outside the car, and then it would go find a parking spot. No need for you to observe or intervene, the S-Class would handle it all. Once you return to drive home, you’d call your car via the app, and it would meet you at the designated valet pickup zone. Mercedes says this all depends on regulations in your area, and there’s no word of it coming to the U.S. yet.

A lesser parking package allows you to remotely control your car with straightforward parking maneuvers, similar to Hyundai’s Smaht Pahk. You stand outside the car, hold a button on your phone, and the S-Class will wedge itself in or out of a parking spot.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class Specifications:
▪ Length/width/height/wheelbase – 5,179/1,954/1,503/3,106 mm
▪ Length/width/height/wheelbase LWB – 5,289/1,954/1,503/3,216 mm
▪ Cargo volume – 550 litre

S 450 4MATIC
▪ Engine – 3.0-litre (2,999 cc), 6-cylinder in-line, turbo petrol
▪ Max output – 367 hp (270 kW) at 5,500-6,100 rpm
▪ Max torque – 500 Nm at 1,600-4,500 rpm
▪ Electric boost – 22 hp (16 kW)/250 Nm
▪ Transmission – 9-speed automatic, AWD
▪ 0-100 km/h – 5.1 seconds
▪ Top speed – 250 km/h
▪ Fuel consumption – 7.8-9.5 l/100km combined

S 500 4MATIC
▪ Engine – 3.0-litre (2,999 cc), 6-cylinder in-line, turbo petrol
▪ Max output – 435 hp (320 kW) at 5,900-6,100 rpm
▪ Max torque – 520 Nm at 1,800-5,500 rpm
▪ Electric boost – 22 hp (16 kW)/250 Nm
▪ Transmission – 9-speed automatic, AWD
▪ 0-100 km/h – 4.9 seconds
▪ Top speed – 250 km/h
▪ Fuel consumption – 8.0-9.5 l/100km combined

S 350d/S 350 4MATIC
▪ Engine – 2.9-litre (2,925 cc), 6-cylinder in-line, turbo diesel
▪ Max output – 286 hp (210 kW) at 3,400-4,600 rpm
▪ Max torque – 600 Nm at 1,200-3,200 rpm
▪ Transmission – 9-speed automatic, RWD/AWD
▪ 0-100 km/h (4MATIC) – 6.4 (6.2) seconds
▪ Top speed – 250 km/h
▪ Fuel consumption (4MATIC) – 6.4-7.7 (6.6-8.0) l/100km combined

S 400d 4MATIC
▪ Engine – 2.9-litre (2,925 cc), 6-cylinder in-line, turbo diesel
▪ Max output – 330 hp (243 kW) at 3,600-4,200 rpm
▪ Max torque – 700 Nm at 1,200-3,200 rpm
▪ Transmission – 9-speed automatic, AWD
▪ 0-100 km/h – 5.4 seconds
▪ Top speed – 250 km/h
▪ Fuel consumption – 6.7-8.0 l/100km combined