The new S500 has a cockpit-like feel and a formidable array of electronic features.

The most notable is the Distronic Active Cruise Control system. Set your desired speed, and it uses a radar system to scan the road ahead. If you come upon slower traffic, or someone unexpectedly pulls into your lane, Distronic will back off the throttle, downshift, even apply up to 20 percent of the car's braking force in order to maintain a safe distance. You can set a following distance of between 1 to 2 seconds behind the car ahead. The idea of handing control of your car over to a computer might seem a little bit disconcerting, but we found Distronic a near-miracle on wheels, requiring us to touch the pedals only once while driving a crowded, 30-mile stretch of Autobahn outside Zurich. The setting you choose for Distronic can be displayed on a neat little video display mounted just below the car's speedometer.

The read-out is also used for other features, including navigation. Like other mapping systems now on the market, the S-Class will plot the best route to your destination using a small display below the speedometer, a larger monitor in the center of the instrument panel or it will speak to you in a pleasant voice.

Even the seats in the S500 have gone high-tech. Heated seats are standard fare in many cars these days, but S-Class seats are fitted with 10 small fans that blow cool air through the upholstery, onto the driver's body. An optional massaging seat is equipped with air bladders in the lower back and shoulder areas that automatically inflate and deflate as you're driving to reduce stress on long journeys.

Another system, called Parktronic, uses sonar to help you park in tight places without playing bumper cars. When you're down to the last few inches from an obstacle ahead or behind, it flashes a warning and sounds an alert. There's also a new key card ignition system coming that will replace the traditional car key with a credit card-sized transmitter you can stick in your wallet.