2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupes: Pinnacle of the Three-Pointed Star

The large coupe has long been the pinnacle of the Mercedes-Benz passenger car range, as well as a pioneer of automotive design, engineering and luxury trends. That tradition made a significant leap with the introduction of the new-generation S-Class Coupe models for 2015, and these flagship models add more technology and luxury features for 2016.

The Swarovski Crystal Headlamps, which have been standard for the AMG S65, are now also available for the S550 4MATIC and AMG S63 4MATIC for 2016. The unique headlamps integrate 47 Swarovski crystals: 17 angular crystals form the flare-shaped daytime running lamps, and 30 round-shaped crystals make up the turn indicator lamps.

The Driver Assistance Package now includes Speed Limit Assist, and designo Bengal Red/Black upholstery offered on the AMG S65 becomes available for the S550 4MATIC and AMG S63 4MATIC for 2016, as well.

A star attraction of the S-Class Coupe -- and a standard feature for the AMG S65 -- was another Mercedes-Benz first, Active Curve Tilting. With this system, a function of the Active Body Control suspension, the vehicle leans into bends up to 2.65 degrees, much like a motorcyclist, thereby reducing the lateral forces acting on the occupants. On country roads in particular, Active Curve Tilting adds to both driving pleasure and ride comfort, reducing lateral G-forces and giving the driver the feeling of control driving into a banked curve.

mbrace2 Connectivity
Mercedes-Benz, which pioneered automotive emergency calling, has upgraded its mbrace Connected Car Services for 2016, making the new mbrace2 Connect package standard for all models, along with five years of complimentary service. The package includes Mobile App, Web Services, Roadside Connection, MB Apps (non-streaming), Vehicle Homepage (EVs), Diagnostics Data and Remote Update for five years. The S-Class is one of several 2016 Mercedes models to include a Remote Start function as part of mbrace Connect; the function is accessed through the mbrace Mobile App.

In addition, customers can choose from three mbrace subscription upgrade packages, mbrace Secure, mbrace Concierge and mbrace Entertain. Voices will sound clearer thanks to new HD Voice for compatible mobile devices. And, on vehicles equipped with COMAND (standard on all S-Class models), SiriusXM® Traffic & Weather will be included as standard for five years (previously three years).

Intelligent Drive Technology: Merging Safety and Comfort
Like the S-Class Sedan, the Coupe is available with numerous new assistance systems that make driving even more comfortable and safer. The Intelligent Drive systems include, among other features PRE-SAFE® brake with pedestrian detection, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Adaptive High-beam Assist and Night View Assist Plus.

COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS features an additional function apart from the adaptive brake assistant, which provides collision protection from a speed of 4 mph: if a danger of collision persists and the driver fails to respond, the system can engage autonomous braking at speeds of up to 65 mph, thereby reducing the severity of collisions with slower or stopping vehicles. The system also brakes in response to stationary vehicles at a speed of up to 31 mph, and is able to prevent rear-end collisions at up to 25 mph.

As in the S-Class sedan, the PRE-SAFE® preventive occupant protection system has been expanded through the inclusion of PRE-SAFE® PLUS. PRE-SAFE® PLUS can recognize an imminent rear-end collision. If the danger of a collision persists, the system can also firmly apply the parking brake on the stationary vehicle and thus minimize the risk of whiplash injuries by reducing the forward jolt caused by an impact from the rear.

Three Models

The Mercedes S-Class Coupe continues as a three-model series for 2016, with all models featuring biturbo engines.

• S550 4MATIC Coupe: direct-injection 4.6-liter biturbo V8 with 455 hp / 516 lb.-ft.; 7-speed automatic transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
• AMG S63 4MATIC: AMG hand-built 5.5-liter biturbo V8 with 577 hp / 664 lb.-ft.; AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and 4MATIC all-wheel drive.
• AMG S65: AMG hand-built 6.0-liter biturbo V12 with 621 hp / 738 lb.-ft.; AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC sports transmission.

The S550 Coupe’s powerful exhaust note is conveyed through a variable exhaust system. In the transversally positioned rear muffler of the dual exhaust system are two flaps that can be opened and closed pneumatically depending on the engine speed. The switching point of the flaps depends upon the drive program selected: in the S program, the flaps open earlier than in the E program.

The AMG sport exhaust system not only enhances performance but also generates the characteristic V-8 sound from the four polished-chrome tailpipes. Electronically controlled internal flaps respond to engine rpm and throttle loads, to serenade acceleration and higher revs with a rewardingly throaty growl, yet with a pleasingly mellow tone during relaxed, quiet cruising.

Design: A Pure Pillarless Coupe
The S-Class Coupe is a rarity, a pillarless coupe that keeps alive a body style seemingly lost to time. In fact, only Mercedes-Benz today offers such a body style, which defines the E-Class Coupe, as well. The S-Class Coupe profile is defined by the dome-shaped stretched roofline and frameless door glass. Externally, an elegant 3D continuous chrome frame surrounds the glass areas that are uninterrupted by B-pillars.

The S-Class Coupe rides on a 116-inch wheelbase and is 198 inches long. The long hood with pronounced lines and power domes, the low greenhouse with high beltline, the accentuated wheel arches as well as the 19- or 20-inch wheels and the broad visual effect created by the rear.

Convex and concave modeled surfaces lend the S-Class Coupe a sculpted appearance. The profile is marked by the dropping line in keeping with the emotional character of the vehicle and is a signature of current Mercedes car design. The arched surfaces and lines of the sidewalls flow into the rear with a dramatic tapered effect. A "muscle" above the rear wheel, extending from the sidewall, generates a sense of motion even at a standstill.

The renowned Mercedes three-pointed star is front and center three-dimensional diamond-theme grille, accented by one horizontal louver on either side. The full-LED headlamps feature "eyebrows" as daytime running lamps, giving the S-Class Coupe a distinctive gaze.

The arrangement of the LEDs in two horizontal rows in the two-piece tail lamps underscores the sporty character of the rear. In the S550, the rear diffusor, painted in high-sheen black and accented by a horizontal silver wing below it, echoes the front bumper look. The diffusor integrates the tailpipes. With AMG models, the driver has the ability to customize the exterior appearance with performance with the Exterior Carbon Fiber Package.

The standard panorama roof extends over two-thirds of the entire roof, with a surface area of about 14 square feet. MAGIC SKY CONTROL makes it possible to switch the transparency of the roof at the push of a button, from light to dark. When light, the roof is almost completely transparent. When dark, the proportion of outside light that is allowed into the interior is reduced to less than 1%, effectively diminishing heat gain in the cabin. There is also a built-in roller shade.

Interior: Modern Luxury as Avant-Garde Design
The use of the finest materials, surface treatments, color combinations and seam designs contributes towards achieving an exclusive, nearly bespoke interior. Interior color combination including Bengal Red/Black, Crystal Grey/Black, Saddle Brown/Black, and Porcelain/Espresso Brown allow individualization Standard ambient lighting offers seven lighting mood choices.

Air vents, switches, belt extender and trim elements are in electroplated Silver Shadow, giving the surfaces a particularly premium appearance. Each individual control has the sound, feel and attention to detail that sets a Mercedes-Benz apart.

The dashboard is divided into a top-layer section with an expansive wrap-around effect extending to the doors, and an extremely low, sculptural "floating" lower section. This architecture, made possible by repositioning the airbag to a low location, enables the large, two-part wide-screen format TFT display to be placed in a prominent hovering position. In addition, it is stylishly highlighted with an ambient lighting corona. Under the display, the center console extends to the rear seat area. All lids and armrests are lavishly covered in leather.

Best Seats in the House
The four-seat interior echoes classic grand touring car cabin designs; the rear seats are individual, not a stylized bench. Available Exclusive nappa designo leather features a lavish diamond backstitching pattern on backrests and seating surfaces.

Intuitive, and artfully sculpted, seat-shaped controls help the driver and front passenger find their ideal seating positions with 16-way power adjustment, including cushion length and 4-way power lumbar support. A memory system for each front seat recalls three stored seat positions with the touch of a button. The driver-seat memory also includes the power steering column and side mirror positions. The AMG models feature exclusive AMG Multi-contour sports seats with massage function ensure optimal long-distance comfort.

The front seats provide three levels of heating and cooling ventilation. By gently circulating air through perforations in the seat and backrest, ventilated seats help keep occupants cooler and their clothes drier during warm weather. Reversible fans help draw heat away for brief periods. On cold or damp days, using both the ventilation and heating together can circulate the seat heating more quickly. Active Multi-contour front seats with six massage settings are available, as are heated rear seats.

The front-seat seatbelts are integrated into the rear side paneling without interrupting the waistline with windows open; seatbelt extenders – an innovation first seen in the 126-series Mercedes S-Class 35 years ago -- make the belts easily accessible for the occupants.

Big-Screen Production
Two 12.3-inch high-resolution TFT color displays, in 8:3 format, form the information center in the S-Class. The left-hand display performs the functions of the previous instrument cluster, providing the driver with all relevant vehicle information. The right-hand display allows the convenient control of infotainment and comfort functions through the standard COMAND with Navigation system. The setup groups controls and display functions in a coherent manner in terms of both design and functionality.

In front of the armrest, the COMAND central controller falls naturally to hand, teaming a touchpad with a rotary knob and one-touch keys for major functions. Carousel-style on-screen menus mimic the movement of the rotary knob, making adjustment of the car's features logical and easy.

The touchpad features a high-sheen black surface and chrome-look surround. As on a smartphone, the touchpad allows all the head-unit functions to be operated using swipe and pinch finger gestures. The touchpad also permits letters, numbers and special characters to be entered in handwriting, in any of the head unit's languages.

Using the Enhanced Voice Control System, the driver can enter complete addresses in one shot. The telephone and audio systems can also be voice-controlled, and the system can read text messages (SMS) or emails aloud.

Climate Control with a Bonus
The tradition of the S-Class introducing new technologies and features continues with the latest advances in cabin climate control. Mercedes focused on enhancing all aspects, including precision temperature regulation, further noise reduction and added comfort.

The automatic climate control in the rear offers two additional zones, and electric heating of the armrests and center consoles is the kind of feature that sets trends in the luxury category. The S-Class also introduced the AIR-BALANCE package that combines even more efficient ionization and filtration compared with the standard model, along with perfume atomization when desired.

The active perfuming system was a world first and demonstrates the brand’s deep understanding of the premium luxury customers. The perfume atomization system individualizes the scent of the vehicle interior. The driver or passenger has full control, switching the system on and off at will and also adjusting the intensity manually. Crucially, the fragrance is discreet and mild and dissipates rapidly; the system neither changes the interior scent permanently, and the perfume molecules are not deposited on fabric surfaces or clothing.

Mobile Concert Hall
Germany's Burmester®, one of the most respected makers of handcrafted high-end home audio, developed the surround-sound systems not only tailored to the S-Class, but worthy of it. The standard system in the S550 4MATIC and AMG S63 4MATIC, with 13 speakers and a 590-watt 9-channel digital amplifier, fills the cabin with pure digital surround sound while seamlessly compensating for ambient noise. Exquisitely detailed aluminum speaker grilles are as rewarding to the eyes as the system's output is to discerning ears.

Engineered to be the pinnacle of mobile high-end audio, the available Burmester® 3D system (standard on AMG S65) combines a 1,540-watt amp and total of 24 speakers, including a trunk-mounted subwoofer with its own 400-watt amp, ceiling-mounted surround speakers and rotating, illuminated tweeters. Adjustments include four preset listening modes.

Less Distraction: Head-up Display
The optional head-up display brings important information directly into the driver's field of vision, presenting it on the windshield to help reduce distraction from the road. The system provides vehicle speed, navigation instructions and driving assistance system messages.

A color display module with a 480 x 240-pixel resolution, operating with high-power LEDs, projects the virtual image, which measures around 8 x 3 inches, into the driver's field of vision where it appears to float about six feet away, above the hood. The resolution of more than 60 pixels per degree of viewing angle ensures a needle-sharp image. A special light sensor located near the top edge of the roof automatically adjusts display’s brightness to the exterior lighting conditions.

In darkness, the optional Night View Assist PLUS projects invisible infrared beams and reads them with a special camera. Combined with thermal imaging, the system can display a clearer, supplemental real-time view of the road ahead in the digital instrument cluster, either full-time or automatically when danger is detected. The advanced system can also help identify and point out pedestrians and animals along a dark roadway, and help alert pedestrians by flashing the LED headlamps.

AMG Style and Performance: Like No Other
Performance driving enthusiasts can choose from two Mercedes-AMG models, the S63 4MATIC Coupe with a biturbo V8 and AMG PERFORMANCE 4MATIC, and the S65 with a biturbo V12 and rear-wheel drive. In the AMG S63 4MATIC, a hand-built 5.5-liter AMG biturbo V-8 generates 577 hp and 664 lb.-ft. of torque. The AMG V12 in the S65 delivers a peak output of 621 hp and a massive 738 lb.-ft. maximum torque.

AMG S63

High performance of the hand-built engines is supported by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission, AMG Adaptive Sport Suspension, AMG speed-sensitive sports steering and the AMG high-performance compound brake system.

The AMG Adaptive Sport Suspension responds with equal skill to the demands of the racetrack, city streets, highways and back roads. AMG calibration of the AIRMATIC® air suspension delivers highly responsive tracking and cornering with a balance of comfort and control. Specific front-axle kinematics, including increased camber and antiroll-bar thickness, team with a stiffer rear-axle subframe to enhance agility and precision.

Incorporated into the AIRMATIC air suspension, the Adaptive Damping System (ADS PLUS) continually optimizes ride and handling by automatically selecting one of four damping profiles for each spring-strut every time a wheel changes its direction of up-down travel. The electronically controlled damping instantly adapts to reduce body roll, pitch and dive, while also offering automatic 4-wheel level control. Selectable Comfort and Sport modes allow the driver to tailor handling response and ride firmness.

AMG S65

High performance of the hand-built engines is supported by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT PLUS 7G-TRONIC sports transmission, AMG Active Sport Suspension (based on ABC Active Body Control), AMG speed-sensitive sports steering and the AMG high-performance compound brake system.

The AMG Active Sport Suspension responds with equal skill to the demands of the racetrack, city streets, highways and back roads. Comfort and Sport modes allow a more driver-defined setup, while automatic 4-wheel level control helps keep an even keel. The S65 AMG features AMG calibration of the industry-leading MAGIC BODY CONTROL® suspension to deliver an unparalleled mix of responsive cornering, comfort and control. MAGIC BODY CONTROL made the S-Class the world's first car to be able to use ROAD SURFACE SCAN to detect road bumps on the road ahead and adjust the suspension in advance to handle them. The system receives input from the same stereo camera that facilitates the car’s numerous Intelligent Drive features. To the driver and passengers, the result will feel as if magic is at work, with the system mitigating the impact of bumps on the road ahead of the car. Comfort and Sport modes allow a more driver-defined setup, while automatic 4-wheel level control helps keep an even keel. Curve mode can also be selected as one of three drive modes and activates a curve-tilting function.

Performance-Oriented AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-Speed Sports Transmission
Four drive modes include "C" (Controlled Efficiency); "S" (Sport); "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual) to provide customized shift control. In the "C" mode, smooth shifts coupled with a "soft" accelerator response are set up for silky-smooth power transfer. Also active in the "C" mode, the ECO start/stop function turns off the engine when the car is at a stop.

In the AMG S63 4MATIC Coupe, the AMG PERFORMANCE 4MATIC® is more performance-focused than the standard system used in the S550 4MATIC. A 33:67 front/rear torque split assures an ideal balance of power delivery under hard acceleration and coming out of corners. In every driving condition, AMG PERFORMANCE 4MATIC enhances grip and acceleration while preserving agility and driving enjoyment.

Both the S63 and S65 roll on standard 20-inch forged AMG multispoke alloy wheels (8.5 x 20 front and 9.5 x 20 rear) with 255/40R20 front and 285/35R20 rear high-performance tires. The high-performance compound brake system features 15.4-inch compound discs with six-piston fixed calipers at the front and 14.1-inch integral discs with single-piston floating calipers at the rear. Available on both AMG models is an AMG high-performance Carbon Ceramic braking system, providing immense stopping power, featuring 15.8" discs up front with six-piston fixed calipers and 14.2" discs at rear with single-piston floating calipers. The optional AMG high-performance Carbon Ceramic braking system reduces unsprung weight by 40% percent versus a conventional steel setup.

There’s an exclusive AMG look to both cars with AMG-design lower bodywork and a front end with large, functional mesh air intakes and airflow-channeling winglets. The latter are set off by a chrome splitter, a detail repeated in the sharply flared side sills and the chiseled rear apron, whose diffuser frames the four trapezoidal exhaust tips.