Two years ago, Mercedes launched what it considered its best vehicle ever. The Mercedes S Class. A year later in 2014, it was unveiled in Kenya.
By then, it had been rated as the best car in the world by a few journalists from around the globe. It was the undisputed champion. Until now.
If money was no object, what would you consider the best car in the world? When it comes to ultra-luxurious vehicles, you have a limited choice that stretches from the Rolls Royce Ghost to the Bentleys of our time.
You can add the Maserati to this limited list and that’s about it. When you look at the premium luxury segment, the more accessible vehicles begin to feature. The Mercedes S Class, BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XJ and Porsche Panamera. Lucky for you, they are all resident right here in Kenya.
There is no doubt that Kenya has a real and growing middle class. That means that it is feeding into the aspirational super-rich class that influences our economy.
Those at the top of the food chain include business moguls and politicians as well as the young nouveau-riche who have enough money to afford anything they can lay their hands on.
Today, I would like to shine a light on two accessible luxury products that are bound to compete for the few takers available. The 2013 Mercedes S Class and the just launched 2016 BMW 7 Series. How do they match up in terms of luxury appointments and performance?
Performance and handling
Both vehicles will go like the wind and sound heavenly, that comes as standard. Top speeds of between 240-250kph and 0-100kph sprints in under six seconds from the four, six and eight cylinders engines is also a mainstay in the segment.
The 2016 BMW 740i, 740d and 750i V8s will do 0-100 kph in the 4.4 to 5.5 seconds bracket. Mercedes has the AMG 63 and AMG 65 to help it edge out the Beamer with V12 bi-turbos. They perform mind-boggling speeds of 0-100 in 4.3 seconds, from the range topping 5,890cc, 463kW/630hp S65 AMG.
The S500 with a 4,663cc engine has 335kW/455hp and manages 0-100 in 4.8 seconds is edged out by a millisecond by the 4.4litre, 330kW/450hp 750i at 4.7 seconds.
What sets these vehicles apart from the rest is their road manners. The pneumatic suspensions allow the occupants to enjoy a supple ride cruising at all speeds.
Mercedes has Magic Ride that detects potholes before the tyres hit them and cushions you from the ruts. BMW has two-axle air suspension with automatic self-levelling, chassis control and dynamic damper control.
They also have active roll stabilisation that includes electromechanical anti-roll bars to reduce body roll during cornering.
Everything is measured in these vehicles in precision-honed chassis technology that uses stereo cameras and radar-based systems to read the road ahead.
With cameras all around the vehicle, you get enough information to avoid every accident except a terror attack. If you do not pay attention, either of these vehicles will stop themselves before you run over a pedestrian.
Both BMW and Mercedes use twin turbos. Mercedes has S350, S500 and S600 while BMW has the 730i, 740i and 750i. Locally, you will, however, be limited to the S500 and hopefully the S400 that is used in the GLE. BMW is yet to reveal which engines will be available, but a 750i has been ordered and is expected by the end of the year.
If I could choose, I would settle for the 240kW/326hp BMW 740e plug-in hybrid that you can charge. It needs only 2.1 litres to travel 100 kilometres. That is 47km to the litre, thanks to the electric motor and a twin-power four cylinder petrol turbocharged engine. You can drive on the electric charge for 40km.
It’s amazing what technology has done for performance driving without compromising efficiency. In top flight, the same car will manage 0-100kph in just 5.6 seconds to a top speed of 240kph.
Driving enjoyment is a function of the entire package. Braking, precision, visibility and much more. The new BMW has new laser lighting technology that illuminates up to 600 metres ahead — nearly twice as far as conventional headlights.
Exterior
Looking at the images on this page you will agree with me that both have striking looks from any angle.
The BMW of 2002 is one example of daring design that confused the market. It was so controversial it split BMW lovers down the middle. This was also the period when Mercedes had what I consider its best looking S Class. It was voted the most beautiful vehicle in the world, and I agree.
Things have changed. While the current Mercedes S Class is better looking than the bulky model it just replaced, it does not feel entirely cohesive, visually. Its sides feel heavy with acres of metal across the two doors and a bulky behind.
Is anything wrong technically? Certainly not. Everything is functional and based on its sales thus far, the research and design team knew what the customer wanted. BMW has continued to improve its flagship and finally after a decade of trial and error, has nailed the exterior.
It manages to not look big, yet it has grown significantly over time while managing to reduce weight by another 130 kilogrammes, thanks to the use of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRC).
The S Class is a market leader, innovator and trendsetter. Think of any word to describe a segment leader and the S Class will most likely blend in with it. That is what makes it so popular among those that believe they embody the virtues of a leader.
Good leaders should be great servants of the people. Some will be civil servants and others uncivilised servants. Whatever the case, they choose to reward themselves with a luxury vehicle such as the S Class.
That notwithstanding, the interior of this vehicle is luxury at its very best. With reclining seats and more LED screens than a district hospital, you can virtually customise this vehicle to suit your unique needs.
You can actually feel more comfortable than in a local Nairobi spa. From vibrating rears seats in the S Class to what BMW calls the Vitality Programme offering the rear passenger an active physical exercise for recuperation purposes.
The front passenger seat in both cars slides forward to allow you to stretch almost to full-length like flying first class in a Boeing or Dreamliner.
You can order your long wheel-based model with a refrigerator and crystal tumblers. You can enjoy your refreshments on a retractable table that emerges seamlessly from the central armrest. To keep drivers in touch with the world outside, you get two touch screens in the S Class and BMW has thrown in an extra one with the executive lounge seating option.
BMW’s Touch Command via a third detachable 7-inch tablet display situated in the central armrest acts as a remote control for your entire in-car entertainment.
It affords you the luxury of reclining your seat, changing the ambient lighting, selecting audio visual tracks as well as adjusting the effects on the sunroof and side windows by simply swiping the touch screen.
Leather and fine wood are standard in this vehicle segment and need no mention, but you will want to know that you get a choice of four specially-designed fragrances in the Mercedes.
Downtown mood
Perfect for the politician. This seductive feminine fragrance will cheer you up when you need to drive to the not-so-fancy neighbourhoods to see your electorate.
It has a bewitching freshness of magnolia and rosewood that combines a fruity note of velvety peaches and an unexpected metallic effect which sows confusion and arouses curiosity. I could not agree more.
This is described as aristocratic fragrance of masculine elegance. It reflects an aura of pronounced style. With dark woody notes, it has a magical allure that reminds you of that heavy wingback you love to retire to after a long day, counting your wins by the fireplace this chilly July.
This fragrance, unique to Mercedes, pampers the senses. It is described as dewy citrus notes with lemon and bergamot combined with tea extracts. It is unisex, full of harmony, simple and luxurious.
Sports mood
Finally, a mood I can relate to. What comes to mind? Walking with a spring in my step. Mercedes describes it as spring-like freshness with an exotic aroma of lime blossoms that awakens nature in a captivating shower of magnolia, gardenia, jasmine and rose.
How can you not love a vehicle that puts together such a cocktail of luxuries that ensconce you in such opulent splendour?
BMW has its version of this scented treats too. You can order the Ambient Air package that ionizes the air and generates selection of eight unique aromas. It combines this with outstanding sound quality from a custom-fitted Bowers and Wilkins Diamond surround system that has been specifically tuned to the new interior.
Mercedes gets its ear treats from Burmester and it does not stop at fitting speakers in the door panels. It has some in the roof as well.
The space on this page is not enough to describe both vehicles in detail, but as can be expected, both cars come with a host of big V6, V8 and V12 engines which I cannot wait to drive. Hard.
What BMW has managed to do so impressively is load this car with amazing new technology. You can actually remotely park it into a tight spot while standing outside.
Using the display key, you can also check fuel range and service notifications, close windows and the sunroof as well, and turn on seat heating while on your couch.
You can charge your phone wirelessly too. The roof aerial also functions to improve your cellphone reception. Like in the Mercedes, your vehicle is also a wireless hotspot, so no e-mail will go answered in traffic. You can connect two mobile phones and a third audio device to the vehicle’s Bluetooth.
The most amazing technology is the gesture control that allows you to adjust the volume without touching anything. Just swirl/rotate your index finger in one direction to raise and the other way to lower the volume.
You can accept or reject phone calls by simply waving away the caller. Awesome, just awesome. Expect to spend anything between Sh20 million and Sh35 million depending on how many options boxes you tick for either of these vehicles.
