I am hoping that screen is testing equipment, not part of the design. Mercedes does not usually make huge leaps like that. I have always been able to jump in any Mercedes especially an S class and everything makes sense or is where you might figure. The intuitive design was no mistake. All the emphasis on safety why would you have a driver need to take his eyes away from the road?

 

While I have my doubts, I also thought the same about the GLE when that leaked.

When I saw the real thing, I was surprised most of it wasn't 'test' equipment. I was as disappointed as I was when I first saw the camo version. Hope is not on our side.

 

Good point, because when I saw the iPad stuck on the dashboard for the first time I thought it was ridiculous, and still do. Even Audi had powered screen that hid in the dashboard..... The S is the flagship, they should know their clientele , I cant imagine them screwing this up.

 

 

That can't be the designed dashboard. The instrument cluster looks like it's just stuck there, and the AC vents are high and in out of arms reach for adjustment. These pics are nothing to get excited to upset about, because they mean nothing to the finished product.

 

Is the model year going to be 2020 or 2021?

 

S Class ALWAYS meant elegance. Where is the elegance in a giant tablet? Hideous. The direction is towards 100% voice activation for everything so the argument of knobs vs screens will become obsolete. Personally as I've mentioned in other posts, I always liked MB's quirks and at times eccentricities that set it apart from every other car in the world, but these are no more. We live in a time where tech has replaced true luxury, and people think that if the car can think for us and work for us this is a luxury experience. I call BS. Look at Bentley's interior, absolutely decadent. MB is going the other way...they're building space ships, perhaps in an effort to get and/or stay ahead of everyone else since this is likely "where it's all going". I'm sure the next generation S will be a magnificent car in its own but the question is does it stray from it's roots? If the cabin becomes more of a space ship and less of a luxurious cocoon, then it's over. Keep what you have.

 

As it happens, I'm at my dealer for Svc A on my 2018 S560 4Matic. I spoke with the GM and he confirms that he has seen the car and that it WILL have a large center screen and debut in about 18 months as a 2021 model. He said it is much better integrated than a Tesla and the spy shots and is in a very fluid waterfall style. The design is also going to incorporate a much larger HUD that will appear as a very wide screen with much more info to avoid taking your eyes off the road. This will supposedly make interacting with the center screen less distracting. He commented that S class buyers are always the last to embrace such technological changes and they are very aware of our concerns. It will also become the latest iteration of the MBUX system recently introduced on the A class. He seems hopeful that it will look good and acceptable to the average S Class user - of course that's to be expected and I will withhold further judgment until I see the actual integration. Hope this info is somewhat helpful.

 

I wonder how much influence the Chinese market has on these changes. Got to go where the volume is and their preferences.. Just saying.

 

Video:

 

The appearance seems pretty conventional and not too risky.

 

Here is the grille and radiator for the W223.


grille

 

no worries,we have the same taste,just like we both love SUV's.

 

Keep in mind they are adding the large touch screens primarily to DISPLAY information as they want everything VOICE activated (see SIRI and ALEXA).

I checked out the new GLE with large touchscreen and the Rep said don't touch the screen, talk to it and tell it what you want. S-Class will follow suit. I like the knobs better also but this is the future.

 

Horrible.
I really despise the "voice control", I stopped even trying to use it anymore, always had problems with the stupid thing misunderstanding my commands and every attempt ended up with my swearing and yelling at that idiotic invention.
After my worst tirade and multiple profanities it would of course calmly say "repeat please..."

 

Embrace technology and change. I am looking forward to a mammoth GPS map like you get on a Tesla S.

Yes, Bentley's new interior oozes luxury and class, and I would be tempted to consider one down the road if it weren't so hard to find repair or replacement parts for repairs due the lack of available parts at even the best stocked auto parts suppliers.

 

THANKS A MILLION!

 

LOL, I too recall those days. That reminds me of the time I got my E550.....the salesman had me in the car for a damned hour talking to the car so it would learn my voice haha

 

Same here, I agree, can't stand talking to devices, or cars. I understand it's the future but...ugh. I can't help but think it's just another way to get into our lives.

 

It’s not the Chinese market MB is targeting. The average age of the S-class buyer is 65. The MB executives want that number to drop drop drop. Since I’m 45, that means there’s an 85 year old buyer out there to offset me.

 

Agreed!. Interesting that I've been a fan of S-class since I was born!. Never wanted any car but S-class, always!. I got my first S-class that was 3 years old only when I was 28 years old!

 

Flagship or not, MB is trying to cut the costs and touch screens are cheap in volume production vs physical buttons.
After so many years of buying these cars, I am no longer going to be their customer.

 

The boomers are entering the wheel house of that demographic at this point.

I just bought be first, new to me, S550 and oddly, already have designs on the next one. But agreed, even at 47, I'm not really into some enormous screen sitting there, and I'm into gadgets as much as any other Gen Xer. lol

 

You are no longer planning to purchase the GT Black Series? You lost a lot of money on the GT63 transaction to decide not to be their customer any more because they are cutting costs and putting in touch screens. Maybe I have the wrong person but I thought you were first selling your S63 then instead decided to buy and sell back to the dealer and never taking delivery of the 2019 GT63S just to get the allocation for the Black Series. If you are the guy you sure seem like a Mercedes Benz customer for life to me. Sorry if I have you mistaken for someone else.

 

I wasn’t clear enough maybe.
I am no longer interested in S-Class, the most profitable model for them, it does not mean I break with the company altogether.
Still getting the B.S., still going to get G73 and maybe will replace the current S63 with a GT73 or maybe not.
There is no S in my future though.