Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse 2020
The 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class belongs to the 222 series, produced from 2013 to 2020 before the arrival of the 223 generation. It represents the final development of that large luxury sedan after the major facelift introduced in 2017. Beneath its restrained exterior, the car combines a comfort-focused suspension, carefully finished interior materials and an extensive suite of driver-assistance systems. The 2020 model year also marks a transition in Mercedes-Benz’s history: the new S-Class was unveiled on September 2, 2020, while 222-series cars were still being offered in selected markets. The “Base” designation should therefore be treated as a general catalogue label, since the exact specification varied by country, body style and powertrain.
History
The 222 series was introduced in 2013 as a new generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Production began at Sindelfingen, Germany, as part of a major investment programme for the plant. Mercedes-Benz developed the generation around three broad themes: assisted driving and safety, mechanical efficiency, and a high-end interpretation of interior comfort. The family extended beyond the conventional saloon. A coupé joined the range in 2014, a cabriolet followed in 2015, and the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class was introduced in 2014. A substantial facelift announced in 2017 brought technical revisions and more advanced assistance systems while retaining the basic architecture of the 222 series. The 2020 model year closes this phase before the 223 series was unveiled in September of the same year. The available sources do not support assigning the “Base” label to one universal engine specification worldwide.
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Anecdotes
The 222 series was presented by Mercedes-Benz as the first production S-Class to use LED lighting throughout the vehicle, inside and out. Before its market launch, the S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE research vehicle was driven along the historic Bertha Benz route in 2013 to demonstrate how automated-driving technology could cope with open roads and urban traffic.
Production
The 222 series was produced from 2013 to 2020, with industrial production launched at Mercedes-Benz’s Sindelfingen plant. This period covers the original saloon, the 2017 facelift and the coupé, cabriolet and Mercedes-Maybach derivatives. The public sources consulted do not provide a reliable production figure specifically attributable to the 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Base. A total production number should therefore not be presented as though it described this exact version. The transition to the 223 series took place in 2020, following the new generation’s world premiere on September 2.
Press reception
Reviews of the 2020 S-Class from established automotive publications generally highlighted its ride comfort, cabin quality, quiet operation and extensive technology. Car and Driver regarded it as a benchmark among full-size luxury sedans, while also noting its considerable size and high price. Edmunds similarly praised the smooth ride, the performance available across the engine range and the richness of the equipment, while questioning the value of some assistance options. Those assessments concern the 2020 North American range and should not automatically be applied to every European-market configuration.
Evolution
In 2020, the 222-series S-Class benefited from the improvements introduced by the 2017 facelift. That update strengthened the assistance functions grouped under the Intelligent Drive name and revised the engine range according to market. The exterior retained the generation’s formal proportions and imposing presence, while the cabin continued to centre on two broadly integrated displays. Depending on the market, the 2020 range could include several power levels, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive versions, and a plug-in hybrid variant. Those differences make it impossible to assign one universal technical specification to the “Base” label alone.
Variants
References
- Mercedes-Benz S-Class History Since 1951Mercedes-Benz Worldwide
Supports the 222-series production period of 2013–2020 and its position in S-Class history.
- Mercedes-Benz Classic: S-Class history press informationMercedes-Benz Classic
Supports the 222-series timeline, LED lighting distinction, Intelligent Drive development and the coupé, cabriolet and Maybach derivatives.
- Company history 2012–2015Mercedes-Benz Group
Supports the production launch of the new S-Class at the Sindelfingen plant in 2013.
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class brochureMercedes-Benz USA
Supports the 2020 North American model range and the existence of multiple sedan powertrain and drivetrain configurations.
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Review, Pricing, and SpecsCar and Driver
Supports the publication’s assessment of comfort, finish, performance, size and pricing for the 2020 range.
- 2020 Mercedes-Benz S-Class ReviewEdmunds
Supports the review summary concerning ride quality, cabin luxury, performance and driver-assistance equipment.
- Nouvelle Classe S 2020Mercedes-Benz France
Supports the September 23, 2020 French announcement of the new generation and its European launch context.
- https://media.mercedes-benz.nl/verkoopstart-nieuwe-mercedes-benz-s-klasse/media.mercedes-benz.nl
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