EvanG

Hello there!

I am student at one of the leading automotive design schools, Art Center College of Design. I am doing a project focused on what features S-Class could have in the near future, particularly as vehicles become more autonomous. My area of study is Interaction Design, so I am focusing on the screens in the vehicle, rather than specific performance stats, etc.

I would greatly appreciate answers to any/all of the following questions, your input will shape my entire design process!


1. With smartphones there are app stores that let you do almost anything with your phone. If there was an app store for your S-Class, what kind of app would you download first?

2. Compared to your previous car, what is most surprising about the W222 to you? (Even if it was a previous S-Class)

3. After you turn on the car, is there anything you do frequently before beginning to drive? (IE input destination, plug in phone, etc)

4. Do you feel anything is difficult to use, find, or understand in the command system?

5. What features do you use the most in the command system? (Example: Fragrance infusion, seat massage)

6. What is your most and least favorite part of the command system?

7. How long is your typical commute?


If you have anything else you'd like to share about your experience with the W222, positive or negative, I would love to hear about it.


Thank you in advance for your time!

Evan Guzman

Jason B

More aggressive AMG body kit like on the previous W221.

MBZSW221

+1 I hate the AMG package on the W222 S550. The 19" five spokes look really small and the multispokes do not look aggressive. The W221 looked so much better. The only W222 AMG wheels I like are the 20" five spokes on the S63

Mitch Alsup

1. With smartphones there are app stores that let you do almost anything with your phone. If there was an app store for your S-Class, what kind of app would you download first?

I want to be able to see oil and transmission temperatures on the display, maybe the tire pressures on the display.

hyperion667

I'd like the option to completely obliterate a driver that is bothering me: missles, oil slick, road tacks; any sort of tool to completely remove said driver from earth

edvro

1 track & trace app so I can allway find my car when stolen or just parked and alarm on my iphe when somebody is tampering with the car. Second app would be iCoyote that works with w222 on background.
2 the number and ease of all settings via comand.
3 click safety belt and plugin iphone in console and put housekeys in box in front of dvd player.
4 when using help screens, i don't remember all info when going to described item. Eg when in radio mode, i like to have help on same screen if possible. The manual for comand has to be ordered and payed for ( car is more than 100k€)
5 navigation, radio, media-iphone music
6 phone system most, massage least
7 1.5 hours

theboogers

Would like passenger be able to use navigation controls to make inputs and selection while moving.
Would like the main front windshield to be set with the memory of other mirrors and seats.
Can't see control buttons behind the cruise control stalk.

MBZSW221

Also, I think they should get rid of the ugly body coloring on the back of the pano roof.

Jason B

Most agree with that point... A nice gloss black piece of vinyl would be a good fix.

MTrauman

In the US, with the MBrace App on your Iphone you can initiate track and tracing of your car for up to 12 hours at a time with the "Driving Journal". You then can track and trace from your PC. This assumes you subscribe to MBrace with the app package. I use it often for my '14 S550 4matic.

Streamliner

Well, I'll give you some different thoughts:
1. When they made the Panorama Roof standard equipment, they took yet another choice away from their customers. All the folks who love the roof and always felt that it was a rare and distinguished option to have, can no longer feel that way, as EVERYBODY now has it. In addition, there are those of us who absolutely HATE the Pano Roof and would pay extra if we could order a car WITHOUT it!
2. "THE" best navigation I ever had was the "touch screen" unit in my 2011 Lexus LS 460L. The MB system is not user friendly.
3. The S Class Sedan is supposed to be the epitome of refinement and luxury, but MB has now decided that it has to look "in your face" aggressive. Whatever happened to understated elegance? The gigantic grill reminds me of those rappers with all the gold teeth. Look at me, look at me! I feel that the exterior design of the basic S Class sedan should be toned way down and then the AMG Sports Pkg. should offer all of the swoopy body panels, spoilers, and other "boy racer" do-dads that all younger guys seem to prefer. The basic S Class sedan should be a lovely, reserved, elegant, refined luxury "saloon."
4. I would still MUCH prefer REAL speedometer & tachometer GAUGES, instead of the pinball machine that the current car has in the dash.
5. I would like the car designed AROUND the iPhone, to the point where there would be a dedicated PLACE for my phone right on the dash, where it would charge and talk to my car. MB should work with Apple to insure that as a few years go by, everything is interchangeable, within reason.
6. And "THE" NUMBER ONE complaint: NO SPARE WHEEL & TIRE IN THE TRUNK! I want one, most everybody on the planet wants one, so MB NEEDS to fix this and NOW!

theboogers

One surprise was that the new s class has a double sunvisor like the ml. Really like that small addition.
Agrre there should be a spare or at least a fix it kit with run flats.

LovinMercedes

I do not believe the nature of run flats allow for the use of a "fix it kit."

MBZSW221

With the exception of a Black on Black, Nut Brown and Nappa Leather Interior, and Procelain Interior, this looks really ugly. Also I hate how on non executive rear seat plus cars the center arm rest sticks out.

Jason B

Agree. Here is you see the pano with body color piece.

marcmc8867

Agree on iphone comment.

With cupholders occupied, there's nowhere to place my phone.

Then when charging my phone via ashtray, I can set the phone there but then can't retrieve drinks from cup holder. I often end up charging the phone in rear console (exec rear pkg) and stretching charger cord to the front...at which point it is taut enough to spring back if allowed.

Bottom line, 2 drinks plus phone doesn't work and charging in general is cumbersome.

Kind of odd that accommodating a cell phone somehow fell thru the cracks in a car released in 2013/14.

hyperion667

really man? complaints about drinks and iphones??? LOL

marcmc8867

[QUOTE=hyperion667;6228642]really man? complaints about drinks and iphones??? LOL



Absolutely! I tend to think that anything other lesser cars can handle without difficulty, the S-Class should be able to handle. The simplicity of it is what makes it absurd.

hyperion667

[QUOTE=marcmc8867;6228658]when you put it that way it's more logical to my simple brain
when compared to other cars I'd like to think these S boats can out shine all the comp, but that would take a lot of time and designto come up with something different and useful


I don't have an iphone, but I do put oatmeal in cups and drive with that....
possibly just as distracting as a phone hehe

Mitch Alsup

Some of us will never buy an Apple product, thus optimizing the car for an iPhone drives away users of other phones.

DaveVY

Even though I am an apple product user I don't read his comments as specific to the Apple iPhone but interpreted his comment to be any conventional sized smartphone. The S Class interior design didn't take this into consideration. They just assume you will plug your phone in and keep it in the center console and not want it out somewhere visible.

Other, much cheaper cars, have spots or areas where a smartphone can sit or be propped up to be easily visible while not interfering with cup holders. Hopefully MB will address this in the future.

marcmc8867

Thanks for accurately clarifying on my behalf. Indeed I just meant they should accommodate smartphones in general.

hyperion667

smartphone is flavor of the month: it'll be something else in 2-3 years or even sooner.....Benz knows this

MTrauman

I use an IPhone 6 (I just updated from an IPhone 3gs--which was an OLD phone in todays environment but then again when I bought the 3gs the AT&T person told me my flip phone I was replacing had not been sold in stores for the past three years). So I do not need the latest and greatest phone but I do have to say that it is a great business tool and clearly is not just a phone anymore but a small computer with phone capabilities.


You may or may not be correct on "smartphone is flavor of the month" but in the mean time I just had a client sell Apple Stock with an initial investment of $13,000 for $1,200,000. Not a bad gain in my opinion. And I wish this stock was mine but I am a Financial Planner/Investment Advisor/CPA and this was a client's investment.

Mitch Alsup

I just leave the phone in my pocket and bluetooth it into the cars audio system.

My phone last a couple of days (4 with light use; 2 with heavy use) on a single charge, so it does not have to spend time in the center console (recharging)