Do machines know better than we do? Increasingly, they're designed to tell us what to do and when to do it.
Consider the latest appliances, sporting lots of electronic flat panels that beep a lot. It's bad enough that every button beeps. What's worse is that when the dishwasher finishes, it beeps. When the oven reaches the desired temperature, it beeps. When the microwave is done turning your frozen food into rubber, it beeps. Even the refrigerator has something to say when the door is open too long.
And in the future, thanks to the advent of autonomous technology, cars will be telling us what to do or doing it for us.
But while automakers can accomplish this, the question is, should they?
The thought crossed my mind while cruising with the top down at 70 mph in a 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet. My hands weren't on the wheel; they were stretched behind my head being buffeted by the wind. The optional system that allows you to do this, "Intelligent Drive," maintains your speed and a safe distance from other vehicles while keeping your car in its lane. It also adjusts your speed automatically ahead of bends, intersections or traffic circles and steers through them. It will also change lanes for you, or park.
The problem with this system is simple: If you own a 2018 Mercedes-AMG S63 Cabriolet, wouldn't you want to drive it? Sure, there are a handful of cars that can drive themselves for brief periods of time like this one. Others will be debuting soon. But they're so dull to drive, you'd rather they drive themselves. This car is not one of them.
This is Mercedes-Benz' finest line of cars, rendered in coupe and cabriolet form and powered by a twin turbocharged V8 that produces 603 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque. Ensuring all of the power reaches the pavement is Mercedes-AMG's 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, allowing for a 0-60 mph run of 3.7 seconds. That's better than the slightly more powerful but heavier S65, according to Mercedes-Benz. And it's wickedly fast, but without the ferocious edge of an untamed muscle car. Oh, sure, you can make the exhaust louder by pressing a switch on the center console, but this is fast and furious fun, not unlike running track in your tuxedo.
Ride and handling are what you'd expect: stable, athletic, responsive, communicative, unflappable and comfortable. America's crumbling infrastructure never makes itself too noticeable, and the cabin remains impressively hushed with the fully lined top raised. With it lowered, which takes less than 20 seconds, you can still hold a conversation, as long as the loud exhaust button isn't pressed.
But at heart, this car envelops its occupants in opulence that's nothing short of stunning.
The test vehicle had the optional Designo interior, a silly name that warms the heart of this Teutonic titan. Its rich, saddle-colored leather was offset by inlaid mahogany wood trim piano black accents and an optional Burmester sound system with its exquisite metallic speaker grilles. The fully digital instrument panel allows for a lot of customization and makes this car's many features easy to use. One example: night vision, a $2,260 option. When activated, part of the screen in front of the driver is given over to the infrared image, which is incredibly helpful on pitch-black country roads.
Enhancing this feeling of well-being is the "Energizing Comfort" feature, which links various comfort systems in the vehicle together, such as climate control, ambient lighting, massage and aromatherapy to suit your mood. There are six settings: Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy, Comfort and Training. The final one has three modes _ muscle relaxation, muscle activation and balance _ each with several exercises. The modes last 10 minutes.
Any quibbles? Well, the back seat is only marginally useful, and with the top lowered the trunk is as well. But if these are concerns, consider buying an E-Class sedan for those days when it's needed. The base prices of both vehicles are less than a new Bentley Continental GTC, with which the S63 droptop competes. And the Merc is better made, far more fetching, and delivers a superior experience.
And that thought is stunning.
Perhaps that's what the "S" in S Class stands for _ either that or savings.
