S-Class (W221/C216) First drives: Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2013

[Kratos-TM]

September is not coming fast enough! I wonder if the lease deals will be worth investigating. Not sure if I want to buy it or lease it.... I expect the dealers to not want to negotiate a dime this fall/winter...

 

[Pagani]

Again, the point is to sit on the back of the car with other issues in your head than "mind" where one left the remote.

As well, a 3.5 rating may mean anything. For example, the rater may believe the car is a 5-star one, but for US$120,000, it better be. It does make sense to yank a star or two if your typical model is going to be about $10-25k dearer than the close competition.

Let's not hang our hat too hard on how close Mercedes has thought, and take the fact they have not included one as proof that it is not needed. Mercedes has neglected to include a lot of things first which it has added later due to competition concerns. HUD is the latest example.

I am a MB fan at my core, but I will not sacrifice objectivity for the sake of the brand.

 

[LaArtist]

^Amazing you still see the potential displacement of a damn remote as a bigger problem than getting out of your seat to reach for touch control.

I give up.

 

[Merc1]

Such a matterless point. This remote/touch thing and the HUD, the latter of which is a gimmick that you soon switch off.

M

 

[Betty Swollocks]

and the HUD, the latter of which is a gimmick that you soon switch off.

M

I completely disagree.

 

[Merc1]

I completely disagree.

Well Betty I know I got tired of it lol.

M

 

[Sunny]

I get why no touch screen. But why no control on the arm rests? That is never going to be out of reach unless you have TRex arms. Remote control is all nice and well but you are going to loose it/break it sooner or later.

 

[LaArtist]

^I think its due to the reclining seats, i don't think it would be that easy to reach.

They had it on the W221, so there must be a reason why not to.

 

[Sunny]

^I think its due to the reclining seats, i don't think it would be that easy to reach.

Isn't that the seat reclined? How do you not reach that armrest? Unless like I said, you have TRex arms.

[image no longer available]image/2013/05/630x420xw222-s-class-0081-630x420.jpg.pagespeed.ic.QMMcKQqHKn.jpg

 

[-NeObLaZtEr-]

I feel like we have run out of relevant things to discuss regarding the new S; or at least thats what I can conclude after reading the last past few posts...

 

[Sunny]

Another pic of rear seat with what looks like a guy with normal sized arms. I don't see him struggling to reach the arm rests.

I feel like we have run out of relevant things to discuss regarding the new S; or at least thats what I can conclude after reading the last past few posts...

How is the means to control rear seat entertainment in a car focused on rear seat luxury not relevant? Would you rather talk about lap times?

 

[-NeObLaZtEr-]

^lol...maybe, but it isn't worthy of the passion some members are expressing, I mean this number of posts involving it...

 

[Sunny]

^Well, you should be glad you missed the 10 page discussion on SLS door straps.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Being able to use your mobile phone as a touchpad for the screen is GENIUS. Who needs a friggen control knob or remote in that instance.

 

[Sunny]

Being able to use your mobile phone as a touchpad for the screen is GENIUS. Who needs a friggen control know or remote in that instance.

I am at a startup that makes a device that allows you to stream videos/images from your smartphone to your TV (https://www.plair.com/ - buy one ). So we have done a lot of UX research on this. It is an awesome idea but it also has some limitations - taking your phone out and launching an app to do a basic functions like controlling volume is cumbersome (for some), so yes a remote/hardware control still has it's uses.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Useful info Sunny. But the remote will always be on hand if that's what you prefer. But aren't we all so dextrous on our phones now that they're almost an extension of our own hands and therefor a very quick and easy solution for most.

It's obvious why Mercedes didn't use a touchscreen.

All this fuss over nothing really.

 

[Sunny]

Useful info Sunny. But the remote will always be on hand if that's what you prefer. But aren't we all so dextrous on our phones now that they're almost an extension of our own hands and therefor a very quick and easy solution for most.

Yes, why I said "for some" - read older people.

It's obvious why Mercedes didn't use a touchscreen.

All this fuss over nothing really.

I am not making a case for touch screen. Just saying for some phone app alone is not enough, and they prefer a remote (which is why Mercedes probably includes a remote). As a completely different point, just my personal experience, not based on any research - remotes tend to get lost/break. A controller on the arm rest would be have been nice.

 

[Wolfgang]

Here's its picture again. Can be used from any seat.



http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...2-s-class-spy-pics-info-part-3.43647/page-244

BTW. The above remote is order code 816. For folks who prefer the touchscreen in the rear center armrest, it's order code 856 business telephony. The later option may not have been installed on some press vehicles.

 

[LaArtist]

Isn't that the seat reclined? How do you not reach that armrest? Unless like I said, you have TRex arms.

[image no longer available]image/2013/05/630x420xw222-s-class-0081-630x420.jpg.pagespeed.ic.QMMcKQqHKn.jpg

i stand corrected, you can reach it obviously.

 

[Pagani]

^Amazing you still see the potential displacement of a damn remote as a bigger problem than getting out of your seat to reach for touch control.

I give up.

You know, I do not mind the remote. I was merely "defending" an "outrageous" article above. But while you are at it, have Mercedes craft you a china set for the rear to go with the remote. It should drive home why I am usually against any car feature that does not come glued or snapped to the car in any way.