Review: Mercedes-Benz S320CDI
Mercedes-Benz has expanded its S-Class range in South Africa with the introduction of a diesel version, the S320CDI. The direct-injection turbo-diesel unit squeezes 145kW of power and a mammoth 470Nm of torque from just 3,2 litres and six cylinders, and the factory claims a 0kph to 100kph capability of 8,8 seconds and top speed of 230kph.
Because all the torque is available from only 1 800rpm, towing is likely to be a cinch. According to the specifications it’s pretty frugal as well, with an average fuel consumption of eight litres for every 100km giving a range of just under 1 100km from the 88-litre fuel tank.
The S-Class is extremely well equipped as standard, and there’s an impressive range of options available. “Keyless Go” (optional — R10 500) means that the driver need never remove the handy chip-card from his pocket. Simply touch a door handle and the system carries out a split-second data exchange between card and car via induction and radio to identify the driver. Once inside, just touch a button on the dash and if your credentials have checked out the engine will fire up.
Another option is Comand (R18 500) — the Cockpit Management and Data System that includes a navigation system and adds to the user-friendliness of all the sound, television, communications, navigation and convenience systems offered by DaimlerChrysler.
Then there’s Distronic (R17 800) — an autonomous intelligent cruise control system that includes a radar sensor in the front grille to scan the road over a distance of up to 150m ahead of the car. If there’s a vehicle ahead the closing speed is calculated and when things start looking dicey the system eases up on the throttle, and even activates the brakes if necessary. Should the situation look even more hazardous an audible alarm chips in and a red warning triangle is displayed in the instrument panel.
Communications are also hi-tech, with the radio, CD changer, sound system and car phone all networked by fibre-optic cables. A voice-activation system, Linguatronic, which is standard in the S-Class, operates the car phone, music system, navigation system, television and radio.
We could go on about the (standard) 10 mini-fans built into the padding of the heated seat cushions and backrests to remove build-up of perspiration. Or the “Pulse” function that causes the centre panel of the backrest to breathe, changing the position of the driver’s spinal column and preventing aches and pains during a long trip. We could waffle on about the remote boot-closing function, and the standard Parktronic distance sensors, but now that we’ve mentioned them we won’t.
It’s not very often that you’ll catch me saying that a car with a base price tag of R589 000 sounds like good value, but in this case I simply have to, because it does — if you have the money.