We average 33.5km/h on our afternoon test drive of the new Mercedes S300L - it's an achievement when you consider we have crawled through the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and back in some of the worst nose-to-tail in town. Our test car is the basic version of the new S-Class, a three-litre V6 long-wheelbase version that has become popular in Asia.
Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong was smart to introduce the entry-level S-Class for HK$1,099,000, especially when the local BMW dealer is offering the 730LiA for HK$1,068,000 plus options. The S300L has lots of options, too, but the standard car is already fitted with goodies such as parking guidance, an electric sunroof and an electric roller blind for the rear windows. The model also gets the marque's Pre-Safe system, air suspension with adaptive damping system and leather upholstery on 17-inch alloy wheels.
The Star Edition model will set you back HK$1,158,000 and comes with additional equipment including a reversing camera, a media interface, rear air conditioning, sun blinds for the rear doors and keyless start.
The 231-horsepowered S300L seems a docile ride in Hong Kong. The marque says it takes a respectable 8.2 seconds to hit 100km/h from a standing start, although it feels less spirited than most Mazdas. Even so, Mercedes-Benz has produced one of its most cocooned S-Class rides. There's minimal wind and other mechanical noise in the cabin and passengers are cosseted by one of the best air suspension systems around, even if the multi-contour massage rear seats (HK$22,000) are an add-on option. We head up Wong Nai Chung Gap Road in an effort to emulate commutes between Causeway Bay and the south side of Hong Kong Island. The 5.2-metre sedan is smooth rather than agile and sporty. Its seven-speed automatic transmission does its best to maintain revs below 2000rpm and its kick-down is hardly swift.
However, unlike BMW's 7-Series, the S300L features manual shift at the touch of a button at the steering wheel, which is useful when all the V6's horses are called upon to see off challenges from wannabe sports sedans.
A drive around Hong Kong demonstrates that the S300L is comfortable in a city where the average speed in town is below 30km/h. And besides, no chauffeur needs masses of power in reserve to pick up his tai-tai boss from a shopping trip.