Uber S-Klasse: Mercedes Benz S350

As a jaded journalist with five years experience in the motoring beat, I look at all the cars I test in the same light. Whether it’s a multi-million peso ultra luxury high-performance sedan or an affordable base model sub-compact, I look at all of them as merely "cars" — something to drive and ride in, a mechanical contraption to evaluate as the sum of its parts and not as status symbols even if they represent iconic or legendary brands.

I try not to be scared of a car’s size, stature or its (multi-million) price tag so I can concentrate on being a driver (or passenger, depending on my story) and not develop a poseur mentality. Besides, I have to return the car after the test drive period and pretending that it’s mine will only ruin my already tarnished reputation. Therefore, I must strictly adhere to this personal standard so I wouldn’t develop any bias towards or against a particular car model or brand that I would be testing.

Well, at least I try to adhere to it until I drive a car that really gets to me.

Case in point is this Mercedes-Benz S350 long wheelbase version. Here is a car that symbolizes wealth and power. Here is a car that is immediately recognized by people from all walks of life as "The Chedeng" for the privileged few. Here is a car that, at nearly P9M, cost more than most people’s houses. Here is a car that… I would be driving for a whole weekend. Gulp!

The Wow! Factor

When I got the Mercedes-Benz S350 from CATS Motors, the Philippine distributor of DaimlerChrysler automobiles, I prepared myself mentally for the paranoia that accompanies driving cars of this ilk, and uh, size. Because even without trying, the big car would wow on-lookers and freeze pedestrians and bystanders in their tracks; common folk can immediately recognize its tri-star hood emblem and many would gawk at the car when I drive it around. The nice part is I would always get the VIP treatment without even lifting a finger — I would get premium parking at restaurants and guards would give me the special treatment, including the VIP armed escort until the door of the establishment while they are holding umbrellas over my head when it’s hot or when it’s raining. Talk about being spoiled!

But more than the aura that surrounds the car, the M-B S350 is a superbly engineered automobile. Equipped with a 272-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that delivers 350 N-m of torque between 2400 to 5000rpm, this top-of-the-class M-B can accelerate from 0-100km in 7.3 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 250kph. The factory literature quotes a fuel consumption of 10.3 liters per 100 kilometers in combined highway and city driving modes, which translates to about 9.7 kilometers per liter. Quite outstanding for a car in its class, where the clientele do not mind the cost of fuel, much less care about how much fuel the car consumes in a kilometer.

Technology for the Discriminating Few

People who purchase the S-Class and similar cars are focused on luxury, convenience and safety and this Mercedes delivers these attributes abundantly. On safety, this latest S-Class is equipped with Adaptive Brake with Hold function and Hill Start assist; driver and front passenger airbag, front and rear side airbags and window bags; Electronic Stability Program with ASR; Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist; and PRE-SAFE which comprises measures that puts the occupants and the vehicle on standby for a possible impact if a high risk of accident is detected. Even the COMAND with integral radio, 8-inch color display plus DVD, MP3 capable entertainment system is designed to minimize driver distraction.

Performance, comfort and luxury is enhanced with Direct Select gearshift with steering wheel-mounted gearshift buttons; electrically-actuated parking brake; 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission; automatic climate control with separate zones; AIRMATIC air suspension with ADS; speed-sensitive power steering; two-stage rain sensor; cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC; continuously variable door hold system; ASSYST service interval indicator; electric tilting/sliding glass sunroof; electric roller blinds for rear door and rear window; reversing camera; PARKTRONIC system; leather upholstery; luxury head restraints for rear seat; headlamp cleaning system; night view assist; Bi-xenon headlamps with ALS, cornering and dynamic headlamp range; 6-discs CD changer (CD/VCD/DVD); remote trunk opening and closing; power closing function for doors; and burr walnut trim and silk mat. Meanwhile, elegantly-designed 9-spoke alloy wheels with meaty 255/45R-18 tires ensure a firm foothold on the road.

All this engineering in the new S-Class works so seamlessly that the driver is unaware that they are working to make driving utterly safe, utterly convenient and utterly comfortable. And utterly fun, if I may add.

Reserved for Those Who Deserve It

While driving the S350, my mind was playing the television commercial that declares "Nothing makes a driver more faithful to a car than a car that is faithful to its driver." Indeed, one can become accustomed to this pampering and develop a faith to the M-B brand.

It has been said that people who buy cars in this class care more about the image that the car brings them more than the acquisition cost of the car itself, never mind the cost of maintaining one. At its price range, the Mercedes Benz S-Class is surely reserved for the deserving few, the crème de la crème of society, the upper crust of the community whose taste for luxury is equaled only with their drive to acquire the latest and largest crumpet catcher, price no object.

At least, I’m proud to report that I conquered my initial fear of driving the uber S-Klasse and drove the Mercedes-Benz S350 the way it should be driven: with swift civility and with graceful agility. I just hope you’ll pardon me for waxing nostalgic about it.

After all, I’m just human.