The 2007 Mercedes S Class

The era in which automobiles will drive themselves, allowing one to read the paper or get some work done on the lap top while commuting to work is still in the future. But the 2007 Mercedes S Class has some technology built in that constitutes a giant leap toward the dawning of that happy day. It certainly seems to make the driving experience more pleasant.

The first feature is the Distronic Plus cruise control. Unlike other cruise control systems, the Distronic system has 24 GHr radar sensors that keeps track of the distance of the Mercedes to the car in front of it. All one has to do is preset the speed, as with regular cruise control, and the space one wants to keep with the car ahead. When the Distronic system detects the space with the car ahead closing, it automatically brakes the car. When the space with the car ahead begins to open up, the Distronic system automatically accelerates the car.

Unlike previous versions of the Mercedes S Class cruise control, which shut off at speeds below 19 miles and hour and above 113 miles an hour, the Distronic system has a range of between zero miles an hour and 125 miles an hour.

This makes the Distronic cruise control system perfect for handling stop and go rush hour traffic. One of the most tedious aspects of being in a traffic jam is having to constantly brake and accelerate as the clogged traffic inches ahead. The Distronic system takes on that task for the driver.

The radar system also is capable of detecting an impeding crash. When it does, the air bag inflates, the seat belt tightens, and the windows and sun roof closes just before impact.

The drivers seat is top in the line in ergonomic engineering. It has a built in massage system with seven air chambers that inflate and deflate according to the intensity setting. One can have a light or heavy massage while one is driving.

The 2007 S Class has a night vision system, using an infrared camera mounted on the windshield, to display people and objects that would not be illuminated by the car’s headlights. The images are projected on a screen just behind the steering wheel and allow one to see up to 492.