The new S-Class is just around the corner, and this time two teenagers are also likely to take part in the infotainment test.

They have never seen the system called MBUX, let alone tried it out.

Now there is reason enough for this because our vehicle in the rear has two monitors on the front headrests and a tablet in the rear center armrest.

Michael Spehr

Editor in the “Technology and Engine” section.

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The driver drives, the children play. You don't have to explain anything, the two of them get along intuitively with the system, and every few minutes they say “cool!” Or “krass!” When they have discovered a new function. Lisa is sitting on the right and can move the passenger seat far forward from the rear to tilt her own chair and extend a footrest. There she lies like a young queen in Lufthansa's business class.

Sam on the left is enthusiastic about the ambient lighting with a surrounding light strip at shoulder height. It consists of 250 LEDs that can be controlled in real time, and the teenager tries out different color gradients. All of this is not just something to look at, a red light animation also appears if cyclists approaching from behind are overlooked when getting out or if you leave your lane while driving without changing the blinker.

The two rear passengers then extensively test the voice assistant, which can be started not only at the push of a button but also with "Hey Mercedes". The system automatically recognizes which seat is being spoken of. When Lisa calls the command for the first time, she receives a short personal introduction, and MBUX is also able to recognize the inmates by their voices. A short command is enough to activate the sitting massage and the massage starts in the right place. What the two rear passengers do not know: “Hey Mercedes” also has a knowledge database on buildings in the immediate vicinity and on general topics that can be called up by voice.

Lisa and Sam want to play their favorite music in the new S-Class, and this is where “Hey Mercedes” fails miserably, whatever title they audition.

The old white man at the steering wheel, on the other hand, says “play Johannes Brahms” and that works immediately, even with jazz and other subjects.

The rear passengers try again and again, always in vain.

We explain to both of them that the music is played from our iPhone and of course only what is available from there.

Tina Turner only sings when you pronounce her last name in German, but at least Michael Jackson is understood immediately.

The glasses are dispensable here

Even days later, teenagers rave about the new S-Class. Seen in this light, Mercedes marketing has achieved its goal. Young people think MBUX is “absolutely cool”. They weren't interested in driving, not even in what excited the driver, the rear-axle steering, which makes maneuvering in the multi-storey car park a lot easier.

We then took a closer look at MBUX and compared it with the previous model variants. When approaching the vehicle, the first thing you notice is the door handles that automatically extend as soon as you approach with the key. When retracted, they are flush with the door. When entering the new S-Class, the eye immediately falls on the Tesla-sized on-board monitor, which shows all information upright. In all other Mercedes sedans, MBUX uses a flat display that docks onto the digital cockpit in front of the steering wheel. The OLED display used in the S-Class shows more information on the additional surface, which is a plus point, especially when it comes to navigation.