Mercedes Offers First Look Inside 2021 S-Class And Its New MBUX Infotainment System

Mercedes-Benz has provided the first official look inside the all-new 2021 S-Class via the luxury sedan’s new MBUX infotainment system.

Since rear passengers are those who matter the most in an S-Class, Mercedes-Benz has designed the new flagship with the rear in mind. The best example is that passengers in the rear benefit from the same extensive infotainment and comfort features as those in the front.

Rear passengers have access to up to three touchscreens and a variety of different control options such as MBUX Interior Assist or the voice control assistant “Hey Mercedes”.

See Also: Mercedes Teases The New S-Class, Promises It Will Be A “Technological Tour De Force”

With the 2021 S-Class, the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) enters its second generation and it’s plain to see that it’s the infotainment system that has shaped the interior of the new luxury sedan. As the photos can attest, the interior is more digital than ever, with the new S-Class offering up to five large screens (including three in the rear) and 27 fewer hard keys than in the outgoing model. The portrait-format main display has a diagonal of 12.8 inches (325 mm) and can be had with OLED technology and haptic feedback.

The central consideration when developing the new MBUX system was the human factor, with the possibilities for personalization and intuitive operation becoming far more extensive. For example, the new 3D driver display allows a spatial view at the touch of a button for the first time. As a result, a real three-dimensional effect is achieved without having to wear 3D glasses.

The voice assistant “Hey Mercedes” has also been improved and is capable of even more dialogue. Certain actions, like accepting a telephone call or displaying the navigation map, can now be performed even without the activation keyword. The assistant can also explain where the first-aid kit is located, or how to connect a smartphone via Bluetooth. “Hey Mercedes” now supports 27 languages with natural language understanding (NLU).

When it comes to safety, the second-generation MBUX now offers a new authentication method besides the classic entry of a PIN. It combines fingerprint, face and voice recognition, allowing access to individual settings or verification of digital payments from the vehicle. Up to seven different profiles are possible in the vehicle to store personal preferences such as a favorite radio station and preselected settings. The profiles can be stored in the Cloud as part of Mercedes me and used in other vehicles featuring the new MBUX.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the unique feature of MBUX is its networking with vehicle systems and sensor data. For instance, the exit warning function in the 2021 S-Class now uses cameras to recognize that an occupant wants to leave the vehicle. If another vehicle is approaching in the blind spot, the active ambient lighting becomes part of the exit warning system and flashes red. In addition, MBUX Interior Assist checks whether the child seat is correctly attached to the front passenger seat and Attention Assist monitors the driver for signs of microsleep.

Finally, two different head-up displays (HUDs) are available on request, with the larger one offering colored augmented reality (AR) content. For example, when navigating, animated turn-off arrows (“fishbones”) are virtually projected onto the road lane. Relevant information is projected into the driver’s field of vision at a virtual distance of approximately ten meters (393 inches).