The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 stands as a paragon of automotive luxury, seamlessly blending cutting-edge technology with unparalleled comfort. For those seeking a sophisticated driving experience, understanding the features and options available for the S550 is paramount. This article delves into the standard and optional equipment that defined the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550, ensuring you grasp the full spectrum of its offerings.
Standard Equipment: Setting the Benchmark for Luxury
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 was generously equipped right from the factory, establishing a new benchmark for standard features in the luxury sedan segment. Comfort and convenience were prioritized with an adjustable air suspension system, delivering a ride quality that is both smooth and controlled. Visibility and safety were enhanced by all-LED lighting, encompassing adaptive headlights and automatic high beam control, alongside automatic wipers featuring advanced washers and heated blades to maintain clarity in inclement weather.
Entry and operation were made effortless with keyless ignition and entry, cruise control for relaxed highway driving, and dual-zone automatic climate control, complete with air purification and cabin fragrance systems, ensuring a pleasant atmosphere for all occupants. The driver and front passenger benefited from 12-way power front seats, including heating, four-way lumbar support, and memory settings, complemented by a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel for personalized comfort.
The cabin of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 exuded luxury with leather seat upholstery and “MB-Tex” simulated leather interior trim. Auto-dimming mirrors, soft-close doors, a power trunk lid, and a power rear sunshade further enhanced convenience and refinement. A panoramic sunroof, standard on both sedan and coupe body styles, brought an open and airy feel to the interior. Notably, the coupe variant offered an upgrade to the optional Magic Sky Control for the sunroof, allowing for adjustable tint levels at the touch of a button.
Technological sophistication was also a hallmark of the standard equipment. The COMAND interface, featuring dual 12.3-inch display screens controlled by a touchpad/rotary knob, served as the central hub for vehicle functions and infotainment. A rearview camera aided in maneuvering, while Bluetooth connectivity provided seamless phone and audio integration. Navigation, traffic information, and voice controls further enhanced the driving experience. For connectivity on the go, an in-car WiFi hotspot was included, along with Mercedes mbrace telematics services. Audiophiles would appreciate the 13-speaker Burmester surround-sound audio system, complete with a six-CD/DVD changer, two USB audio inputs, an iPod/media player interface, HD and satellite radio, TuneIn Internet radio, and 10GB of digital music storage.
Subtle differences existed between the sedan and coupe models in their standard configurations. The sedan was fitted with 18-inch wheels, while the coupe boasted larger 19-inch wheels, all-wheel-drive, front and rear parking sensors, an automatic parallel parking system, and upgraded leather upholstery – features available as options on the sedan.
Optional Packages: Tailoring Luxury to Your Preferences
To further personalize the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550, Mercedes-Benz offered a range of optional packages, allowing buyers to tailor the vehicle to their specific desires and needs.
Premium Package
For the sedan, the Premium package augmented the standard equipment with front and rear parking sensors and an automatic parallel parking system, mirroring some of the coupe’s standard features. It also included hands-free trunk opening, power rear side window shades, and heated and ventilated active multicontour front seats, adding extra adjustability, six massage programs, and rapid heating functionality for superior comfort.
The coupe’s Premium package focused on enhancing the driver’s experience, incorporating the active multicontour front seats, a head-up display projecting vital information onto the windshield, and a surround-view parking camera system for enhanced visibility in tight spaces.
S 63 AMG Enhancements
Stepping up to the S 63 AMG trim level incorporated all of the aforementioned features and packages, while introducing significant performance and aesthetic upgrades. These included a more powerful engine and transmission, larger 20-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension components, performance brakes, more aggressively bolstered seats for enhanced support during spirited driving, and unique styling differentiators to set it apart visually.
Driver Assistance Package
Available as an option for both the S550 and S 63 sedans and coupes, the Driver Assistance package significantly enhanced safety and convenience. It added adaptive cruise control with steering assistance and automated braking and accelerating, along with a suite of electronic safety aids designed to mitigate potential hazards and enhance driver awareness.
Rear Seat Packages: Focusing on Passenger Comfort
For those prioritizing rear passenger comfort, several packages were available. The Rear Seat package offered four-zone automatic climate control, rear seatbelt airbags, upgraded headrests, a power right-rear footrest, and power-adjustable rear seats (also available as a standalone option). The Executive Rear Seat package elevated rear seat luxury further with “multicontour” rear seat adjustments including memory settings and enhanced passenger-side recline.
Warmth & Comfort Package
The Warmth & Comfort package prioritized occupant comfort in colder climates. It included power-adjustable rear seats, along with heating and ventilation for both front and rear seats, heated front and rear armrests, and a heated steering wheel, ensuring a cozy cabin environment regardless of external temperatures. The coupe version of this package featured heated rear seats and a heated wood and leather steering wheel.
Sport Package
For a more dynamic aesthetic, the Sport package was offered, adding distinct exterior styling elements and 19-inch AMG wheels to enhance the visual appeal of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550.
Standalone Options: Further Customization
Beyond packages, a variety of standalone options allowed for even more granular customization of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550. These included 20-inch wheels, a night vision system for enhanced nighttime visibility, upgraded leather upholstery for a more luxurious interior ambiance, a heated steering wheel, and an in-car WiFi hotspot for continued connectivity. Audiophiles could opt for an even more immersive audio experience with a 24-speaker Burmester 3-D surround-sound audio system.
Sedan models had additional standalone options, such as the Magic Body Control suspension for an even more refined ride, a surround-view camera, heated rear seats, and a rear seat entertainment system with individual screens and COMAND remotes. For a touch of unique elegance, coupe models could be specified with headlight assemblies accented with Swarovski crystals.
Notably, all of these optional features were standard equipment on the higher-tier S600 and S 65 AMG models, with the latter also incorporating the S 63 AMG’s performance enhancements.
Further standalone options available across all S-Class sedan models included a head-up display, a refrigerated rear center console to keep beverages cool, a heated windshield for rapid defrosting, and a split-view front center display screen, allowing the driver and passenger to view different content simultaneously. The Executive Rear Seat Package Plus transformed the rear seating area with a full-length center console, complete with heated and cooled cupholders and airplane-style fold-out tray tables for an unparalleled level of rear passenger luxury.
Finally, an extensive range of special “designo” paint options, leather colors, and trim types allowed for truly bespoke personalization, while carbon-ceramic brakes could be added to the AMG models for enhanced braking performance.
Conclusion: The Epitome of Personalized Luxury
The 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 offered a compelling blend of standard luxury and extensive customization options. Whether prioritizing cutting-edge technology, ultimate comfort, or personalized aesthetics, the S550 provided a platform to create a vehicle that truly reflected individual preferences, solidifying its position as a leader in the luxury automotive landscape. Exploring the features and options of the 2016 Mercedes-Benz S-Class S550 reveals the depth of engineering and design dedicated to creating an exceptional driving and ownership experience.
