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Taxi-heute Driving Report Mercedes S 580 e 4Matic EQ long-wheelbase version - More power, smarter hybrid, but not much that's really new
With the S-Class model refresh, Mercedes managers are pulling out all the marketing stops. They speak of “more than 50 percent newly developed, revised and refined vehicle ranges” and of the “most comprehensive update within a generation of the S-Class.” Paper is notoriously patient. That is also the case here. Visually, something has changed. The silhouette of the S-Class still appears light-footed and elegant. Especially when compared with a representative fortress on wheels like a BMW 7 Series. That the star on the hood and the grille now lights up has by now almost become de rigueur. That the headlights and taillights now also feature stars is entirely understandable. After all, you still don’t have to hide with a Mercedes S-Class. Whether in Los Angeles, Shanghai or Stuttgart. And since Swabians don’t do things halfway, the grille is fitted with small chrome-gloss stars. “Otherwise there would be a black hole,” says a Mercedes man. Since this flaw has now been avoided, you can enlarge the grille by 20 percent.
“Only” Superscreen instead of Hyperscreen
Exterior wow, interior not so great? But no! This expression borders on blasphemy for a Mercedes S-Class. This is no different with the W223 generation’s facelift. The leather is noble, the seats comfortable – whether up front or in the rear. The driver appreciates a long leg rest, ample lateral support and a massage function. The Swabian automaker does not show any weakness here. But as soon as the view wanders to the infotainment, one inevitably wonders: “Why does the S-Class not have a Hyperscreen, but "only" a Superscreen? The displays of the infotainment consist of the monitor triad that was already to be found in the S-Class before the facelift. That means: a 36.6-centimeter central touchscreen, a digital instrument cluster with 31.2 centimeters and an equally large passenger display.
Mercedes-Assist uses Microsoft and Google
That's impressive enough. But when updating the flagship of a luxury automaker, one expects the best the corporate lineup has to offer. Even better, groundbreaking news. That used to be the case with the S-Classes. This time, not. This is not an isolated case with the facelift of this S-Class. At least the technicians have upgraded the software: MB.OS forms the digital backbone and the fourth MBUX generation is in use. The AI-powered “Hey Mercedes” assistant uses, among others, ChatGPT-4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, and largely reliably implements the driver's instructions. However, that does not change the fact that the menu structure is sometimes too nested.
Engine with Spoiler
There is a lot going on with the plug-in hybrid drive. The basis is the evolved inline-six petrol engine with the internal code M 256 Evo. However, the PHEV variant lacks the electric auxiliary compressor. It features optimized intake and exhaust channels as well as a revised intake camshaft. To satisfy the demanding customers of the S-Class, technicians have reduced noise levels and vibrations. The engine is prepared for Euro 7 emissions standard. This means the turbocharger and adjacent assemblies must heat up very quickly to meet these requirements. That affects the cooling of the engine. Critically, the last ignition coil at the very rear is the critical one. To ensure it is adequately cooled, technicians have not only added air intakes on the hot side but have also equipped the engine bay with spoilers and air deflectors.
Up to 103 kilometers purely electric
The combination of the petrol engine (330 kW / 449 PS) and the electric module (120 kW / 163 PS) gives the S 580 e a system output of 430 kW / 585 PS and a maximum torque of 750 Nm. That means an increase of 55 kW / 75 PS compared with the previous model: The electric motor increases by 10 kW / 13 PS; the gasoline engine by 60 kW / 82 PS. That certainly does not leave you underpowered. On the contrary: from a standstill, 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, and the top speed is reached at 250 km/h. The batteries have a usable capacity of 21.96 kilowatt-hours. With that, you can travel purely electric up to 103 kilometers. We handed control of the system the baton and, during our test drive on a highway stretch where we were sometimes traveling faster, achieved an average consumption of 6.6 liters per 100 kilometers or 17.0 kWh/100 km. Mercedes quotes 3.0 l/100 km and 18.2 kWh/100 km. Since we let the navigation system guide us, the S-Class energy management delivered a bull’s-eye: we arrived at the destination with two percent remaining battery capacity. It was also pleasant how smoothly the interaction between the drive units worked.
Turning circle like a small car
Thanks to rear-axle steering, with the wheels turning up to ten degrees, the S-Class, despite its substantial weight of 2,515 kilograms, is almost nimble on its feet. However, the suspension remains unchanged and is therefore still tuned too soft and bobs. We had noticed this six years ago, and back then we would have wished for an improvement. That brings us to the topic. On paper the model update looks extensive. In reality it is rather thin, except for the petrol engines. It seems as if they fast-tracked this S-Class, as the fully electric variants are not selling as well as expected. Six years ago the S-Class set the benchmark. To maintain that level, crucial points would have needed sharpening. That did not happen. If you also consider the price of the very well-equipped test vehicle at 203,833.91 euros, there is basically no reason to switch to the newer version.
For us at the wheel: Wolfgang Gomoll; press-inform
Spec sheet Mercedes S 580 e 4Matic EQ Long Version
Type: Plug-in Hybrid Luxury Sedan
Engine: Inline-six petrol engine plus electric motor
Displacement (cm3): 2,999
Power (PS/kW) at rpm: up to 585 (430)
Max. Torque (Nm) at rpm: up to 750
Top speed (km/h): 250
0-100 km/h acceleration (s): 4.4
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Fuel type: Super Plus / electricity
Tank (L): 67
EU combined cycle (l/100 km): 3.0 / 18.2 kWh/100 km
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