The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S 580 at speed.
The new Mercedes-Benz S580 4Matic sedan is the latest example of four-door five-passenger sumptuousness available to buyers on these shores. It’s a vehicle that stimulates nearly all your senses, including sight, smell, hearing and feel. Seeing that you generally can’t “taste” a car, in this case, your good taste is evident. Napleton News spent a week in the new S580 and fell in love all over again. Read more about it.
An event on wheels, the Mercedes-Benz S580 4Matic Sedan is loaded with luxury fitment throughout, to the point you may forget you are driving a nearly three-ton luxury vehicle. Start with the power: the S500 4Matic starts with a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6 that delivers 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. Our car of the week is a Mercedes-Benz S580. It is essentially the top-of-the-line 4-door Mercedes-Benz vehicle, save for the Mercedes-Maybach, which resides in a different class altogether. But we digress.
The S580 is powered by a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8, making 496 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque. These engines mate to nine-speed automatic transmissions and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system in both cases. The mild-hybrid incorporates an integrated motor-generator that provides an on-demand 21 horses and 184 lb-ft of torque for a rapid but short-term power boost.
The EQ Boost system creates very smooth starts. It also makes the auto start/stop function operate without the jarring jolt that many vehicles display on restart. Best of all, like all Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the S580 4Matic features Mercedes all-wheel drive for sure-footed grip in inclement weather or slippery conditions.
Our test model included Mercedes-Benz Airmatic air suspension with continuous adjustment on the fly. Of particular note: our Executive model included rear-axle steering, which provides up to 10-degrees of rear-wheel steering that helps this largish Luxo-barge to corner as though it were a tiny two-seat sports car.
Following a recent turn in the Mercedes-Benz EQS 4Matic EV, we were pleasantly surprised to find many of the same features onboard this petrol-burning beast. These included the disappearing door handles and mood-altering interior LED lighting. There are even headrest pillows (!) that may put you asleep at the wheel. We kid, but with that executive reclining right rear seat, you may as well be. What’s that, you say? This S-Class features a reclining BarcaLounger seat that reclines once you have moved the front passenger seat forward. Let the Zzzzzzz begin, we say.
A bit conservative, while at the same time elegant, the new Mercedes-Benz S580 4Matic features derivative styling rather than a new, innovative look. But that’s okay as the Mercedes S-Class has always stood for a premium experience on four wheels.
But in the off-chance that you have resided under a rock for the past several decades, the new S-Class has followed the three-box protocol for years. Currently, you can take advantage of a four-door S-Class sedan, a two-door coupe and a two-door convertible. And then there are the Mercedes AMG models with over-the-top power from a hand-built 4.0-liter twin-turbo. That V8 ends up producing 603 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque. The top speed is a relatively sedate 186 mph.
Mercedes has loaded the latest gadgetry onto the S580 sedan. These include automatic LED headlamps, which monitor oncoming traffic and jumps to high beams as needed. Pop-out door handles do their part to show off a nice clean side. The profile is that of a premier luxury sedan that’s almost without peer.
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz S580 Sedan is a sensory-stimulating cocoon that manages to nestle, comfort and even soothe the driver and passengers. The front seats offer heating, ventilation and massage. The Mercedes Executive Line reclining chair occupied the right rear spot with a leg lift and full massage functions. Adding to the experience: A 30-speaker Burmester High-End 4D premium audio system.
During a drive from West Palm Beach to Miami, we were in a fidgety mood and, as a result, started to push buttons. We eventually found our way to the Energizing experience, which caused specific massage functions to begin. The next thing we noticed was the sound system switching from the SiriusXM channel we were listening to. It switched to music that would not be out of place in a spa waiting room. Subtle fragrances and low volume tones joined soft lighting from the nearly 13-inch tablet coming in, providing passengers with a complete spa treatment.
When it comes to behind-the-wheel experiences, the Mercedes-Benz S580 provides one like few others. It’s quiet, powerful, fast, comfortable and more. Power from the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 is quick. Adding in the 48-volt EQ motor-generator makes it even better. It starts with the auto stop/start functionality. It is so smooth you don’t realize it’s there. While cruising at highway speeds, it even takes over for the gas engine with a function Mercedes calls “sailing,” where it propels the car on electric power.
We tried the various drive modes ranging from Comfort to Eco but settled on the Sport mode as our favorite. Rear-wheel steering helped shorten the entire length of the vehicle, enabling us to corner as though we were behind the wheel of an E-Class. Switching dashboard views allowed us to get into 3D display mode. Available in several configurations, our fave took over the gauge binnacle with a 3D display of the navigation screen. There was a 3D representation of a small Mercedes car on the map. Street names floated above the roads they identified, and the overall effect wasn’t as gimmicky as it may sound.
The Mercedes-Benz S580 4Matic is one of those rides that somebody can only describe as sublime. From the elegant surroundings, the gorgeous good looks and the loads of sumptuous power, there are few better.
We are always jazzed every time we get into an S-Class. We like to think of it as our lottery winning ride. The trouble is that we’ll need lotto winnings to afford it.
| 2021 Mercedes-Benz S580 4Matic | |
| Popular Powertrains | |
| Engine Type | 4.0-Liter Twin-turbo Gas-Electric V8 |
| Horsepower | 496 @ 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 516 LB-FT @ 2,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 20 mpg (17 city/25 hwy) |
| Suspension | AirMatic Air suspension |
| Turning Circle | 42.0 ft. |
| Also Available | 3.0-liter inline-6, AMG V8 |
| Specs | |
| Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| NHTSA Safety Rating | NA |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 126.6 inches |
| Overall Length | 208.2 inches |
| Width | 76.9 inches |
| Height | 59.2 inches |
| Trunk Room | 12.9 Cubic Feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | NA |
| Legroom, Front | 41.0 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 44.0 inches |
| Shoulder, Front | 59.7 inches |
| Shoulder, Rear | 57.8 inches |
This post was published on March 3, 2022
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