Mercedes-Benz Korea introduces 2018 S-Class sedan

Mercedes-Benz Korea introduces the 2018 S-Class sedan at Seoul Museum, Monday. / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Korea

By Jhoo Dong-chan

Mercedes-Benz Korea has introduced its 2018 S-Class sedan, aiming at continuing its flagship models’ strong sales in Korea.

Introducing its first-generation S-Class sedan in 1951, the flagship model has since led the world’s luxury car industry in technology under the German luxury carmaker's philosophy of “the best or nothing,” Mercedes-Benz Korea said.

The sixth-generation S-Class sedan fleet has seen sales of 300,000 cars around the world, and the 2018 S-Class comes with 6,500 new car parts to demonstrate the carmaker’s extensive design innovation.

“Korea is Mercedes-Benz’s fifth-largest market in sales,” Mercedes-Benz Korea President and CEO Dimitris Psillakis said during the car event held at Seoul Museum, Monday.

“S-Class sedans have enjoyed especially prolonged popularity here to make Korea the brand's third-largest market following China and the U.S. last year. For the Mercedes-Maybach brand, Korea was the second-largest market even ahead of the U.S.”

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans feature Mercedes me connect, the carmaker’s premium connected car service that monitors a vehicle’s safety status at all times.

Under Mercedes-Benz Korea’s partnership with KT in LTE mobile technology, the service system automatically monitors a vehicle’s possible damage and its passengers’ safety in case of accidents to send emergency aid to the scene even without a person reporting it.

The new S-Class model also features the German carmaker’s advanced drive assistance system that proved its top position in safety technology during a global test drive event held in Switzerland in July.

Mercedes-Benz also introduced its new powertrains in the new cars.

The premium carmaker's newly developed six-cylinder in-line diesel and upgraded V8 bi-turbo gasoline engines shows improved performance and efficiency over its predecessors.

The upgraded V8 bi-turbo gasoline engine has been downsized in displacement to 3,982cc from its predecessor’s 4,664cc, but improved in performance, efficiency and emissions. It produces maximum 469 horsepower with a 71.4 kg.m torque.

The new six-cylinder in-line diesel engine satisfies not only the Euro 6 Emissions Standards but also various on-road emissions tests evaluated by major automotive powerhouses.

The diesel engine mounted in the S350d 4MATIC produces maximum 286 horsepower with a 61.2 kg.m torque while the one mounted in the S400d 4MATIC Long produces a maximum 340 horsepower with a 71.4 kg.m torque.

The new S-Class models also feature innovative new "energizing" comfort controls to offer a wide range of intelligent comfort modes by utilizing climate control, massage functions and ambient lighting.

Eight new S-Class models will be introduced in Korea next month, priced between 145.5 million won ($128,182) and 250.5 million won.

Mercedes-Benz Korea said the lineup also includes two diesel models _ the S350d 4MATIC and S400d 4MATIC Long _ as well as two Mercedes-AMG models _ the S63 4MATIC and S63 4MATIC Long.