The completely new steering feel provides a unique experience and offers a wide range of advantages in everyday driving – driving dynamics benefit from it, while manoeuvring and parking become even easier. This is because the effort required can be further reduced and there is no longer a need to adjust the grip on the steering wheel.

Undesired vibrations caused by uneven road surfaces, which were previously transmitted to the driver via the steering wheel, can now be eliminated. The tyre-road contact is calculated on a model-by-model basis with the help of the restoring forces of the steered wheels. Precise, intuitive steering feel is maintained, preserving the characteristic Mercedes‑Benz steering.

Steer-by-wire also gives the interior a new look: a flatter steering wheel noticeably opens up the space, improves the view of the driver display and makes it easier to get in and out of the car. This reinforces the brand’s signature “Welcome home.” feeling from the very first moment.

Driving characteristics that were previously in conflict with each other have been optimised at the same time: the EQS now combines sportiness and comfort even more effectively, while further enhancing driving stability and lateral agility. This is because the suspension specialists have flexibly adapted the steering ratio to different situations. Added to this is the perfect interaction with the rear-axle steering. At higher speeds, the rear wheels steer parallel to the front wheels, ensuring reassuring stability and a safe driving experience.

The new steer-by-wire system has already completed over a million test kilometres on test benches, test tracks and in overall vehicle validation in road traffic. In line with its high safety standards, Mercedes‑Benz relies on a redundant system architecture in addition to high-precision sensors and powerful control units. This means that there are basically two signal paths. This ensures that steering capability is always guaranteed. Even in the unlikely event of a complete failure, lateral control is still possible thanks to rear-axle steering and targeted wheel-specific braking interventions via the ESP®.

On the EQS, the steer‑by‑wire system is available in combination with all powertrains and the 10‑degree rear‑axle steering. As an alternative to the optional steer-by-wire system, Mercedes‑Benz continues to offer an electromechanical steering.

Newly developed airbag structure, ensuring uncompromised safety standards

In the new EQS, Mercedes‑Benz uses the steer-by-wire technology for a flattened, more compact steering wheel and combines it with a newly developed airbag structure. Since the airbag can no longer “support” itself on a closed steering wheel rim, an internal support and folding architecture takes over the controlled shaping during deployment. This requires a high degree of technological expertise.

The throttle routing, folding pattern and holding points have been designed in such a way that the airbag is positioned in a stable and reproducible manner, even without the upper steering wheel rim. At the same time, the system is integrated into the steering wheel hub as before and, even with the modified steering wheel design, meets the unchanged high restraint and safety requirements. This solution underlines Mercedes‑Benz's holistic approach to innovation, in which new vehicle architectures are consistently redesigned down to the last detail of passive safety.

Mercedes-Benz anniversary year “140 years of innovation”

Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes‑Benz has dedicated itself to constantly innovate and to create the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world's first automobile in 1886 to today's intelligent and safe electric vehicles, like the all-new GLC and the award-winning all-new CLA. With the new S-Class, the company continues the biggest product launch programme in its history. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that leads through everything Mercedes‑Benz does: Welcome home.

Mercedes-Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S-Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way customers, fans and colleagues will get to join in the celebrations - on an epic adventure that will run until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” drive across six continents on our “140 years of innovation | Mercedes-Benz Media” special and via the Mercedes-Benz Community.