New S-Class presented MBUX 2.0 Level 3 and DLP-HD headlights

Mercedes-Benz S-Class (model series 223)

After weeks of information snacks, Mercedes-Benz today presented the new S-Class of the 223 series in its entirety. The name stands for "Sonderklasse" and is also on the agenda this time. What is technically possible is what Mercedes-Benz is installing in the new model, including the MBUX 2.0, DLP HD headlights and soon a Level 3 system.

The press release with a staggering 81 pages of information already shows that the world premiere of the new S-Class for Mercedes-Benz is not a normal presentation of a new car. Details such as the fluffy plush cushions, which were previously reserved for the rear passengers, are now also in the front, fall behind in the face of more interesting technical innovations, which are already becoming more equitable to the target group on Todayus.

MBUX 2.0 with new Nvidia chip

This starts with the new second-generation MBUX, which ComputerBase has already presented in detail. Its most striking feature is an up to 12.8-inch OLED touch display in the center console, whose computing power is contributed by an Nvidia Xavier with six "Carmel" CPU cores from its own development and a Volta GPU. The system offers 50 percent more computing power than the Tegra X2 of the first MBUX generation (test), which was introduced in 2018 with the A-Class.

3D driver display with autostereoscopy

Up to five screens are distributed throughout the entire interior of the S-Class. The central display measures at least 11.9 inches in the series, optionally a 12.8-inch display with OLED panel and haptic touch feedback. The driver’s display is also available in two stages: An optional 3D panel with autostereoscopy is offered, which is also equipped with two integrated cameras for facial recognition. Todayus was able to take a seat behind the wheel for a test run before today’s world premiere and to convince itself of the depth effect similar to that of a Nintendo 3DS, but in significantly higher resolution. The 3D effect is particularly evident in graphics that go into depth, such as those of driver assistance systems.

Head-up display with augmented reality overlay

The new head-up display (HUD), which is also available in two variants, is not one of the classic interior displays. In addition to a normal HUD, an augmented reality display is offered that projects a 77-inch corresponding monitor in front of the vehicle at an optically perceived distance of 10 meters, which, among other things, places animated turn arrows virtually and precisely over the road. The assistance functions display information for the active distance assistant in the AR-HUD, for example.

Digital Light with DLP module goes into mass production

Digital Light with DLP module

Projection also plays an important role in the new, optional headlights. For the first time, the projection technology developed under the name Digital Light based on Texas Instruments DLP technology is being used in a large-scale Mercedes-Benz vehicle. The system premiered almost four years ago in a technology carrier based on the then S-Class, and in 2018 the DLP-HD headlamps were available in the Maybach models.

Digital Light uses one high-performance LED per headlamp, whose light is refracted and directed via the DLP module with 1.3 million micromirrors each. The headlights thus have a total resolution of 2.6 million light pixels, which is more than full HD resolution. On the one hand, the high-beam assistant should work more than 100 times more accurately than the previous 84-pixel light when ignoring oncoming traffic or traffic signs, on the other hand, projections on the road in front of the vehicle are possible. Examples of this are an excavator symbol for recognized construction sites, warnings and markings of pedestrians on the edge of the road, indications for traffic lights, stop signs or bans on entry, and guide markings for narrow lanes.

Overview of sensors and driver assistance systems

 

Mercedes-Benz today presented the new S-Class of the 223 series

The light can therefore definitely be counted among the driver assistance systems that have all been installed as standard in the new S-Class in accordance with Level 2 for the first time. In the second half of 2021, according to current planning, Mercedes-Benz intends to offer the Drive Pilot as a Level 3 system for highly automated driving, so that you can permanently take your hands off the steering wheel on motorways in tough traffic and in traffic jams up to 60 km/h. This requires an extended environment sensor system consisting of lidar, another camera in the rear window and microphones, and new HD cards. At the start of the S-Class at the end of the year,

The following sensors are installed:

• Multimoderadar front: 2 radar sensors with opening angle 130°
• Front long-range radar: 1 radar sensor with opening angles 90° and 9°
• Stereo Multi-Purpose camera in front: 1 camera with 70°opening angle
• Multimoderadar rear: 2 radar sensors with opening angle 130°
• 360°camera (close-up): 4 cameras with 180°opening angle
• Ultrasound (close range): 12 sensors with opening angle 120°

The sensor technology enables the following driver assistance systems with the following innovations. Due to the size of the systems, the information is hidden in the folded text. The functions described in each case only refer to the innovations.

Ambient lighting with up to 263 LEDs and 64 colours

Among the driver assistance systems, Mercedes-Benz also includes active ambient lighting, which is an option. The lighting of the interior is integrated into the driver assistance systems and can visually support their warnings. 247 LEDs in the normal S-Class (W 223) and 263 LED in the long version (V 223) are not visible behind a black panel surface when switched off. 64 colours can be displayed in 20 brightness levels up to 200 cd/m², which is ten times brighter than before, explains Mercedes-Benz.

Fully automated parking according to level 4

Assistance systems and their environment sensors also play a role in parking. As standard, the active parking assistant is installed in the park package with reversing camera, optionally available is the extended parking package with 360°camera, whose three additional cameras in the exterior mirrors and in the front of the vehicle in conjunction with the standard cameras draw an image of the vehicle’s surroundings. There are seven different views with zoom and a real-time rendered vehicle model to choose from to visualize parking restrictions.

Via the smartphone and only in the immediate vicinity of the car, this can be bugged into narrow parking spaces and garages with the help of the remote parking function. In the next step, the Intelligent Park Pilot will allow fully automated parking according to Level 4, as it is already being tested in Stuttgart. The vehicle is parked in a drop-off area of the multi-storey car park, whereupon it drives fully automatically to the parking space after confirmation on the smartphone. Automated valet parking requires a multi-storey car park equipped with sensors.

Market launch at the end of 2020

The new S-Class can be ordered in Germany from mid-September 2020 at prices not previously communicated and will be offered at the start as S 450 4MATIC and S 500 4MATIC (gasoline engine, M 256, R6) as well as S 350 d, S 350 d 4MATIC and S 400 d 4MATIC (diesel, OM 656, R6). A short time later, a model with a V8 engine will be available and the market launch is planned for December of this year. In 2021, a plug-in hybrid with a purely electric range of around 100 kilometres will follow. The market launch in the USA and China is scheduled for February 2021.