A driver ist continually absorbing information of various kinds from traffic and from the road. If they tend to disturb or distract him he must ignore them but he must observe and interpret all that is important to him and respond correctly. These responses must then be translated into driving the car. And if he sees signs of danger this process has to be carried out in the shortest possible time. So the man at the wheel has to be alert and must concentrate; he must not to be distracted by unimportant details; nor must hi fine himself inhibieted by immature engineering; he must control and steer his car with a quick eye and a sure touch.
Everything possible has been done in the S-class to minimise distracting influences, to keep the driver alert so that he can do the right thing at the right time.
It starts with an instrument panel that is absolutely functional. The driver`s seat is not an aeroplane cockpit because the car should not be thought of as an aircraft, and because the wrong anviroment can lead to the wrong sort of bedaviour. One factor in keeping alert and awer is the ability to see all for corners of the car. Another ist having the switches and controls with which the driver can familiarise himself in a few minutes. In a Mercedes-Benz they are positioned logically – there they belong- they are easy to see and connet be confused one with another. And they are no more of them the driver really needs.
Power-assisted steening does most of the work but still transmites the feel of the road. A steering shock absarber ensures that it is the driver who steers, not the road surface. If you have automatic transmission (an optimal extra) it will mean even less effert for your food, your hand and your head. You`ll only roact properly if you are sitting camfortable and are not cramped. This is a metter of orgonomics – the signs of designing the driving position to suit the man. The soats in S-class cars habe been developed on these principles. Their upholstery is on the firm side, because swaing and rocking are tining for the driver impair his reactions.
The seat is meat up of seven elements, from the strong steel spring care through to the high-quality outer covering witch contains a high percentage of wheel to allow the seat to “breathe” and to absorb body moisture. Seats and backrets are shaped to provide adequate lateral support yet you don`t feel restricted. There is no hard edge at the front of the seat but a slight downward slepe to prevent vascular congestion in the legs. The pelvic support recommended by orthopaedic specialists is a standard feature of Mercedes Benz seats. There is firm support for the back which ward off fatigue and can even prevent damage to the spin. The seats, backrots and heads restraints have a wide range of adjustment to suit every driver. And since to driver who is relaxed and not under stress drives more safety and probably with more consideration too, quite a lot of road users profil from the relaxed comfort of a Mercedes-Benz.