Diesel power has come back to the Mercedes-Benz S-class in Thai showrooms. Can it better the BMW 7-series equivalent?
What’s new?
When Mercedes-Benz launched the current-generation W222 S-class in Thailand three years ago, it opted to focus merely on the plug-in hybrid model called S500e due to incentives for electrified vehicles handed out by the government.
Apparently, not all customers were into electrification yet in which a handful of them still preferred traditional power. Which is why Mercedes has decided to revive sales of the diesel-powered S-class in facelifted form.
But the S350d doesn’t come with the OM642-designated 3.0-litre V6, which was once on sale in Thailand in the previous-generation W221. Instead, the S350d comes with the brand’s all-new 2.9-litre inline-six coded OM656.
The OM656 unit has outputs of 286hp and 600Nm compared with the OM642’s 258hp and 620Nm. Although the torque is 20Nm less than before, it’s achieved 400rpm lower at just 1,200rpm.
The decision to allow buyers to choose between two kinds of propulsion is a welcome move because one is not necessarily better than the other. By the way, the plug-in hybrid version of the facelifted S-class will come later this year with a longer all-electric driving range. It will be called S560e.
Which is why we won’t be looking into whether the S350d is a better bet than the S500e (or the pending S560e). Rather, let’s see if the S350d can beat the 730d from BMW, which is (rightfully) offering the diesel version alongside the 740e plug-in hybrid in its latest generation.
What’s cool?
As this is only a mid-life facelift, visual changes made the S-class are on the subtle side of things. The most notable tweaks are the new LED headlamps and restyled front bumper. The face looks quite good, but the Bimmer’s looks equally fine in another way. It’s all up to you dear readers.
Interior-wise, the S-class has been modified a little. The three-spoke steering wheel, for one, is new to accommodate touch-sensitive buttons to operate the widescreen. This has been inherited from today’s E-class. As a result, the S-class’ fascia is easier to operate than ever and feels more contemporary than in the 7-series.
When we first drove the S-class three years back, we found it to have better rear perches. This is quite an essential aspect of luxury saloons because many buyers are usually chauffeur-driven in this part of the world. And despite the renewal of the 7-series over a year ago, the S-class still has cushier seats for owners to relax in.
Modern six-pot diesels of whatever format usually do a splendid job in combining usable power and decent fuel economy, which remains the case for both limos. But the S350d’s virtually lag-free performance is something to behold. The same goes for refinement whereby hardly any diesel clatter is evident, even at idle speed. Apparently, the S350d has a smoother and quieter diesel than the 730d.
The driving characteristics in both cars remain remarkably similar with the chassis being biased towards ride comfort. Sure, the ride can be a little too soft in the S350d, but it can be stiffened when shifting from Comfort to Sport without having to feel brash.
What’s not?
Broadly speaking, the interior of the S-class is still a great place to be in. But the driver’s cockpit isn’t perfect yet because some buttons to operate various functions are still obscured in one way or the other by some kind of thing. Ergonomically speaking, the 7-series has a tidier layout (aside that unreliable Gesture Control system).
And while the S350d features some advanced driver-assist tech, it costs around 130,000 baht more in AMG Premium spec, at 7.64 million baht, than the similar specified 730d M Sport. Worse, punters with classy palates don’t have a choice with the S350d because only one trim is available; the 730d can be had in Pure Excellence form for an even lower 5.799 million baht.
Buy or bye?
It’s quite refreshing to see how Mercedes has managed to make diesel know-how better than ever, despite all the negative news about this particularly technology recently making the headlines. In short, it still deserves to exist.
Because of that, the S350d manages to blend a nicer combination of driving confidence and rear-seat comfort even if the degree is very small over the 730d.
And if you happen to not be a fleet buyer, the premium the S350d commands somehow feels justified for a car of this price and flagship status.
