The Mercedes-Benz S-Class is widely regarded as the car that always sits at the forefront of automotive gadgetry (and philosophy) as it tries to point the right direction for the industry. The current model says automobiles will keep looking pretty much the way they do, albeit with modern refinements, and also put an increasingly notable emphasis on using less fuel and driving itself.
These trends will continue, according to Motoring, as Mercedes engineers have already begun picturing what the future S-Class will look like – the one that is to replace the W222.
Still very early in the development process, we already know from the project’s chief engineer, Hermann-Joseph Strop that “It may be that the next S-Class has more aluminium, or aluminium combined with plastics [CFRP], for example.”
He explained it’s still a “discussion we have with weight; the other is stiffness for the body, and reducing noise. [The] reduction of weight, CO2 reduction, the combination of [a] combustion engine with plug-in electrical power, new batteries… and drag coefficient – to reduce it as far as we can – will again help [the new S-Class].”
It’s still a good few years (as many as seven) away, but at least we have some clue as to what to expect. It’s therefore set to follow the trend announced by the BMW 7-Series with the use of carbon-fiber-based alternative materials.
By Andrei Nedelea
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