Introduction
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class remains the ultra-luxury car against which other ultra-luxury aspirants are judged. That’s impressive given that it was last redesigned for model-year 2000. The S-Class has been mildly face-lifted for 2003.
The Mercedes S-Class is a beautiful line of cars, sleek and aerodynamic. They are smaller yet roomier than the bulky pre-2000 models they replaced. And they are extremely sophisticated. Microprocessors and onboard sensors instantaneously determine forces acting upon the car, filter the data, and adjust the handling. There’s much technology here and learning all of the features takes some time.
The Mercedes-Benz S430, the most popular model, offers plenty of power for quick passes, merging into fast freeway traffic, and accelerating out of corners. It exudes the tremendous presence of a Mercedes S-Class. The S500 delivers much more responsive performance, with crisp acceleration that should please any closet hot-rodder. The top-level S600 and the high-performance S55 AMG get even more power for 2003. A lot more power. As if they needed it. Fast traffic is a description fits an S600 and an S55 AMG. The S600 represents the ultimate in Mercedes-Benz luxury and power. The S55 AMG is a limited-production high-performance model.
For 2003, the S-Class comes with new safety systems that can actually anticipate a collision, and prepare driver and passengers to get through it as safely as they possibly can. Electric seat belt tensioners are activated, and the power seats adjust to a lower and more upright position. Mercedes-Benz calls this system Pre-Safe, and points out that it is the only system in production today that engages before the impact, when milliseconds can minimize the energy spikes that cause serious injuries. Also new for 2003 is the availability of 4Matic all-wheel drive.
Lineup
Four distinct models comprise the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. All are four-door sedans, powered by single-overhead-cam engines breathing through three valves per cylinder. All come with a very high level of standard equipment.
S430 ($72,600) comes with a 275-horsepower 4.3-liter V8. S430 and S500 both come with Airmatic air suspension, GPS navigation, Tele Aid with enhanced functions, leather upholstery, Bose audio system, ESP Electronic Stability Program, and a sunroof.
Walkaround
Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars are big, long, rich and luxurious. They look unmistakably Mercedes, with a dignity of design appropriate for a technological flagship. If you can separate the styling from the image, these cars are not dramatically eye-catching. They say rich, at least as much as gorgeous. An S-Class car can blend in among a parking lot full of rather common sedans.
But it’s a beautiful car to behold. The upswept window line is lovely. Our 2003 S430 came in silver, and no one does silver better than Mercedes-Benz.
The 18-inch AMG Monobloc wheels that come with the Sport package look a bit too big and solid to our eyes, but come fitted with massive Michelin Pilot Sport tires. The Sport package also includes the AMG aerodynamic bodywork.
Interior
Sit in an S-Class Mercedes and you immediately feel like a master of the universe. The interior exudes serious class. A long strip of burl walnut sweeps across the instrument panel from door to door, its bend and taper reminiscent of the graceful lines of an archer’s bow.
The S430 isn’t as lavishly equipped as the S500, but it’s hardly spartan. The S430 comes with premium leather on the seats, seat backs, side panels, head restraints, magazine pockets, and door trim inserts. The seats are firm and multi-adjustable. We were surprised our S-Class car didn’t come with seat heaters, and it turns out they are optional on the S430 ($650), standard on the S500.
The S500 adds premium leather to the remainder of the seats, center armrest, and door. The S500 gets glove-soft Nappa leather seating surfaces in place of the premium leather, and it doesn’t get much lusher. The S600 gets the glove-soft Nappa leather in the other areas.
