By Gerry Murphy

Sometimes you feel that even at a huge price a car is somehow worth the money. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class 580 E Hybrid Long Wheel Base AMG Line that I have been testing recently has a base price of €150,000, and while that sounds like a fortune to many, the specific customer that can afford it is getting some value for their money. With additional extras the price of the car tested rises to €159,286.

Being responsible for a car like this in your control brings its own worries. It is huge, and you are consciously aware of where and how you park it. You don’t want less-than-careful drivers in car-parks walloping their car door or shopping trolleys off the expensive paint work.

And you are conscious not to bounce it off the kerbs when driving and parking because it is so long, and the beautiful 20″ AMG Multispoke Alloy wheels that cost an extra €1,780 need not to be damaged.

Needless to say, this is the flagship of the Mercedes-Benz fleet and is aimed at the most wealthy business customer. Internally, all the luxurious elements are there. The leather is scrumptious, and the technology levels are through the roof.

The dash alone is covered end-to-end by a giant screen that extends to the passenger side for their own interactions. MBCONNECT extended connectivity, MBUX augmented reality for navigation and MBUX Entertainment System is Mercedes’ voice connection between the driver and the car and when you get to grips with it, it becomes a real friend.

On the road you can expect the serene luxury that comes with a top-of-the-range Mercedes. However, depending on the driving mode that you choose, there is some performance feedback and a connection with the road that can bring a smile to your face if used in sport mode. Otherwise, you can smile away in the knowledge that you are driving, or are being driven, in a true classic.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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