2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe Review
The S-Class coupe is a two-door four-seater grand tourer that features much of the class-leading sedan's luxurious features but cuts a sharper image with its two-door silhouette. The AMG variants cater for the seriously power hungry although the base V8 is still more than enough for the majority of shoppers.
Changes for the upcoming 2018 model includes a more powerful yet smaller capacity engine, some detail interior and exterior updates along with a name change to S560 4MATIC.
What’s it like inside?
The level of craftmanship apparent in the materials and stitching of the interior would not look out of place in a car costing many times this coupe's already lofty asking price. The quality levels are superb throughout and thanks to the long wheelbase, the rear passengers are not second-class citizens.
That said, the front seats elevate comfort levels to new heights and while the standard items already offer 16-way power adjustments as well as heating and ventilation functions, there are massaging options and even more exclusive leather coverings to be had.
The trunk is cavernous for a coupe and more than capable of swallowing up a week's worth of luggage.
How does it drive?
The effortless way in which the S-Class Coupe flows along a winding stretch of road belies its hefty weight, the brakes, steering and suspension work together to give this big coupe superb dynamic capabilities.
Standard air suspension and adaptive damping make every road feel as flat as a pancake and the superbly comfortable seats make this one of the most capable GT cars on the market.
At cruising speeds, it may as well be fitted with an electric drivetrain as the cabin is extremely well insulated.
What about the performance?
Despite this being the non-AMG model, the S560 is a serious performer, its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is more powerful than the 4.7-liter model it replaces and uses less fuel too. You now get 463 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, a 9-speed automatic sends it to all four wheels.
The 0-60mph time is around the mid-4-second mark which is quicker than a number of sports cars, the smooth 9-speed transmission shuffles through cogs in a very unobtrusive fashion and even under full throttle, the V8 never really gets very vocal. That bombastic sound and power delivery is reserved for the AMG models it seems.
What are my options?
The 2018 refresh sees the coupe get revised head and taillamps as well as new bumpers, standard specifications include 19-inch AMG style wheels, a panoramic roof, 16-way heated and ventilated front seats with memory function, Nappa leather upholstery, soft-close doors, keyless entry and drive, multizone ambient lighting, dual 12.3-inch screens, Burmester audio system with 10GB music storage and a navigation system.
Safety systems include active LED headlamps with adaptive high beam assist, Parktronic active parking assist, collision prevention assist plus, crosswind assist and adaptive braking. Available options such as night view assist, adaptive cruise control with steering assist and active blind spot assist further improve safety levels.
Options like headlamps with Swarovski crystal accents, Magic Sky Control (variable transparency panorama roof), exclusive Nappa leather and a split view front-seat entertainment system are notable even in this lofty category.
Many of these individual items are bundled into offerings such as the Premium Package (head-up display, active massaging front seats), Driver Assistance Package (range of safety devices) and Warmth and Comfort Package (heated rear seats, armrests and door panels).
The mbrace Connect suite of offerings are various remotely activated functions and are complementary for 5-years.
The Verdict
The revised Mercedes-Benz S-class Coupe subtly improves on an already class-leading package and puts even more distance between itself and the competition.
The S560 4MATIC may not have the aggressive demeanor of the AMG models but it is arguably better suited to travelling long distances in supreme comfort and is still extremely rapid.
A range of standard and available features that will massage, warm and entertain you as you travel in cocooned luxury mark this big coupe out as one of the best GT cars around.
