Mercedes S-Class

FIRST DRIVE Can new engine and tech keep limo at top of the game?

- James Batchelor

IT seems a little too coincidental that no sooner has Audi launched its brand new self-driving A8, we get handed the keys to the updated version of the techladen Mercedes S-Class. In a move of outstanding one-upmanship, Mercedes has preened its S-Class to look a touch smarter and at the same time stuffed it full of new gizmos to rain on the Audi’s parade.

But first let’s round up those styling tweaks – because they really are just tweaks. As is normal for any facelift these days, there are new front and rear bumpers, slightly different rear lights and the front headlight clusters now have three LED day-running light bars and multi-beam LED headlights.

And for an extra bit of glamour, a more imposing front grille – previously only for the V12 version in the outgoing S-Class range – is now rolled out for all models. It’s still unmistakably an S-Class.