NEW 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ S-CLASS BREAKS COVER!

Ladies and gentlemen, the brand new 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has finally broken cover. This is not a facelift or an update, it is all-new, with a completely new shape. The 2014 S-Class is due in South Africa in the fourth quarter of 2013, perhaps with a major unveiling at the 2013 Johannesburg International Motor Show (JIMS).

Touted as the most luxurious S-Class ever made, the new big boy measures 5.11 metres long in short-wheel-base (SWB), 1.89m wide, 1.48m high and has a wheelbase of 3 metres. The long-wheel-base, which is one of the cars that have replaced the fabled but highly flawed Maybach, is some 5.25m long, resulting in a 3.165m wheelbase.

Engine model variants at launch are the S 350 BlueTec, S 500, S 300 BlueTec Hybrid and S 400 Hybrid. Starting from the “baby” S 350 BlueTec we see the existing 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel pulling off 190kW and 620Nm of torque, achieving 0 – 100km/h in 6.8 seconds and a top whack of 250km/h.

The S 300 BlueTec Hybrid uses a 2.1-litre four cylinder turbo engine with 150kW and 500Nm, going from 0 – 100km/h in 7.6 seconds. It said to average 4.4 litres per 100km. We then have the S 400 Hybrid with a 3.5-litre V6 that has 225kW and 370Nm. No details on electric motors yet but Mercedes-Benz says an S 500 Plug-in Hybrid will soon follow and will be “the first S-Class to boast a fuel consumption with a three in front of the decimal point.”

This being the S-Class, it comes armed with rims of technologies, some of which would be make their world debuts. These include the ENERGIZING massage function based on the hot stone principle, active seat ventilation with innovative reversing fans, active and individually adjustable fragrancing as well as the executive rear seat with a revolutionary fully reclined position. Equally unique is the musical experience. The new S-Class is the first saloon to feature Mercedes-Benz's front bass system and the new Burmester high-end 3D surround sound system – for a superlative listening experience. For the first time, each passenger can individually access the entertainment system from their seat.

Orders for the new S-Class opened some months ago, and if you did not place yours then, you have over 18 months of waiting to do, sadly. But it’s never too late, if you are willing to wait.

You can watch some new S-Class videos HERE and HERE. Head on to our FaceBook page to see many more pictures.