2018 Mercedes-Benz S560 sedan continues to raise the bar

The new 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan hits the road with changes to its engine room and a host of new technologies.

The cabin is now home to what Benz calls the Energizing Comfort Control system, which ties all of the cabin comfort systems into six mood-enhancing preset programs.

These 10-minute programs adjust the climate control, ambient lighting, cabin fragrances, massage, audio system and more to relax or invigorate the driver.

Under the hood, the S-Class can be had with either a 3.0-liter V6 engine or a 4.0-liter V8. Both mills are turbocharged.

The new S560 designation indicates an S-Class is powered by the 4.0-liter biturbo V8 is sending up to 463 horsepower through a new 9-speed automatic transmission.

Both rear-driven and all-wheel drive 4Matic configurations are available. Each has its advantages.

Up front, new LED headlamps throw more light downfield more accurately.

Out back, LED tail lights and dual exhaust tips finish the more aggressive, but still classy, look.

Driver aid features get a step up for this generation with more advanced versions of the automaker's adaptive cruise, lane keeping and automatic emergency braking systems.

On thing that I love about this generation of the Comand infotainment is that most of its functions can be accessed without taking a hand off of the steering wheel thanks to these tiny black thumb control pads.

The 2018 S-Class hits the road with its new mood-enhancing tech later this year. It will, of course, be joined by AMG and Mayback variants.

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class