Mercedes S Class interior could be getting downgraded

"Jordan" (jordanbelljb) 04/18/2019 at 09:54 • Filed to: None

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This image, from Car and Driver, shows the interior of a prototype of the next-gen Mercedes-Benz S Class, which will be codenamed the W223 . Now, its entirely possible that the Tesla-style giant-screen-for-everything won’t make it to the production car. But based on what’ s visible in the image, it looks almost production ready.

Why would Mercedes do this? Its possible that Mercedes is trying to steal Tesla customers. However, if this is the case, it cou ld backfire. Tesla buyers just want technology, regardless of how well it works. Mercedes S Class buyers have always preferred real luxury over gimmicks. That’s why only certain functions in the current S Class are controlled through the infotainment system. That’s why there are still physical buttons for the climate controls. You don’t have to look away from the road to see what you’re pressing. You won’t press the wrong thing if you hit a pothole. Metal buttons don’t collect fingerprints. Buttons work. S Class buyers won’t like an all touchscreen interior- they would probably prefer to hang on to their previous-gen S Class.

The other possible reason why Mercedes may choose to replace most of their buttons with a touchscreen is simply to cut costs. B uttons and kno bs are expensive to design . They have to use the right materials, figure out what size they should be, and how heavy they should feel. With a screen, they have very little to develop.

The problem with that is that a true luxury car shouldn’t show signs of obvious cost-cutting. This will not be a cheap car. You want solid metal buttons and knobs. Otherwise, the interior won’t be much better than a nice Hyundai. And lets not forget how cost-cutting backfired on Mercedes-Benz the last time they tried it on the S Class.

On the W221, t he cheaper suspension had issues. The cheaper paint led to rust. Its not entirely unreasonable to think that the touchscreen will have issues. Especially when you consider that they’re not all that reliable in other cars either.

Hopefully, this touchscreen interior is just in this prototype. The new GLS (now being marketed as the S Class of SUVs) has a well designed interior , which could be borrowed by the W223 S Class.

We will have to wait until sometime 2020 to see the redesigned S Class. Hopefully they won’t mess it up.

fintail > Jordan 04/18/2019 at 11:31

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I’d wager this is just test mule stuff, and only some bits will make it to production. MB knows how to make the interior of an S-class, and even if they go for the Tesla pretense of interior tech, I can’t imagine them emulating Tesla’s cheap materials and inconsistent fit and finish.

The GLE you posted shows MB is still into interior quality, and the 213 I just picked up is another level over my prior 212 (which was nothing to look down on in itself) in terms of materials and refined feeling:

I am no worried about the future of the S just yet.

Tapas > Jordan 04/18/2019 at 11:31

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Really? S Class buyers LOVE gimmicks!

That’s why it sells. I think i f it was just another very plush and comfortable car and not the pinnacle of technology (till Tesla came along), it wouldn’t have been this popular.

Jordan > Tapas 04/18/2019 at 11:57

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The current S Class has some gimmicks, but they’re things which ca n be ignored and forgotten about for the most part. Most S Class owners probably don’t even know that their car has a seat which you could “ exercise” with ( I use inverted commas, because all you do is push your shoulder against the seat - probably doesn’t do anything for your fitness). But a giant screen can’t be ignored. 

Jordan > fintail 04/18/2019 at 12:07

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I wouldn’t expect MB to fall to Tesla’s levels of crappiness , but having a screen for everything would still be a big downgrade for the interior. The W222 interior works because MB knew what things should be on a screen, and which things should be physical buttons.

Also, nice 213. Is it a wagon?

Tapas > Jordan 04/18/2019 at 12:09

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That’s a fair point.

fintail > Jordan 04/18/2019 at 12:29

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I think large screens are the new reality, traditional gauges are gone - widescreen won’t be a marginal extra cost option in a few years, it will be standard . I loathe touchscreens though, give me some manual controls. The 213 works perfectly in that regard, and also has excellent voice recognition. As far as I know, MBUX also has redundant manual controls, maybe th e future isn’t lost just yet.

Yep, 213 is a wagon - giveway on the wiper stalk? Not a full load car, but it almost feels like a smaller S-class.

Jordan > fintail 04/18/2019 at 13:29

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I agree. I prefer analogue gau ges, but their disappearing fast. Some sources say that digital gauges are actually cheaper to produce, though that probably depends on how much configurability is programmed into them.

How is the 213 voic e recognition? Is it genuinely excellent, or just in comparison to other cars? My BMW 525d E60's voice recognition is awful.

fintail > Jordan 04/18/2019 at 13:57

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I think the standard 213 gauges look cheap. Widescreen was a dealbreak er option when I was searching for a car . These have a few possible configurations, but I will likely always use the “classic” style shown in the pic.

The voice recognition is better than in my 212 - it has no issue with my address book, I can call up radio stations by name.  I don’t use it a lot, but I was impressed by the radio functionality.

WilliamsSW > fintail 04/27/2019 at 09:44

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Besides the engine, interior quality is a huge part of why I bought my 212 - and you’re right, the 213 takes it to a whole new level above the 212.

fintail > WilliamsSW 04/27/2019 at 17:09

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The 212 interior reminds me of a 124, and I mean that in a good way.  The facelift made it better yet.  213 adds a lot of softer materials, metal switchgear etc, and the widescreen gauges are a must-have.  About a month in on my new car now, and it still makes me think of it as a 3:4 scale S-class.

WilliamsSW > fintail 04/27/2019 at 19:47

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Agree on the 213, I’m just not familiar with the 124.

Even the C class is really nice, though I’m not a fan of the stuck on screen. 

fintail > WilliamsSW 04/28/2019 at 00:57

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The 124 had an angular instrument binnacle like the 212 , and a high quality yet somewhat spartan feel. This is an earlier one, and the layout is very familiar :

I really don’t like the stick on tablet look, and will probably avoid cars with it - it would irk me.