As tech-laden as the new S-Class is, the real achievement resides in the interior, and props must be given to the interior design leader Hans-Peter Wunderlich. The interior is simply outstanding. It's the first German interior able to stand its ground against British cars from Jaguar, Bentley, and even Rolls-Royce. Wood and leather abound, snaking through the cabin in long, winding shapes. Perhaps "swanning" through the cabin is the better way to term it, as Hans-Peter told me that swan wings were the inspiration for the shape of the doors and dash. Speaking of the dash, gone are the W221's four rectilinear vents, replaced by six round ones. Combined with the clock, the effect of all seven circles is supposed to mimic a woman's necklace or bracelet. It looks luxurious and well-designed. Hans-Peter explained that not only is a round shape timeless, but going forward all Mercedes vents will be round. Odd, then, that the rear vents on the new S-Class's B-pillars are still rectangles. Currently, only the SL and the SLS feature round vents, and there are two round vents on the extreme ends of the C-Class' dash, and two rectangular ones in the middle; that car gets replaced next year. My other favorite interior design flourish is the speaker grilles for the Burmester sound system, which are covered in an impossibly complex pattern of tiny, varying-sized holes. The grilles get more fascinating the longer you stare, though if you suffer from trypophobia, look elsewhere.
