The S-Class is one car that will do half the driving for you, Julian thinks

There is a difference between being a driver (better known as a chauffeur) and a designated driver. The term driver, by definition, is someone who is being employed to drive a limousine or a private automobile for the owner. It also means there will not be anyone sitting on your left and you'll probably need to undergo a specific training on driving, such as defensive driving techniques, to ensure the safety of the big shot seated in the back seat (which is an unwritten and unuttered code, and should be observed by all drivers).

A designated driver, on the other hand, is the unlucky selected person who has to remain sober for the rest of the night so his alcoholic friends can drink their guts out while he sends them home after (yes, my friend, we know who you are and we sincerely thank you for that).

This story, on my part, is about being the former.

The flagship luxury sedan from Mercedes-Benz makes the leap from science fiction to reality. But what can it really do that other cars can't? Basically, many things a half a million dollar car can do, except you don't have to worry about not impressing your hotshot passenger as an accomplished driver.

You see, it's easy to find yourself increasingly absorbed by the S-Class as a driver. It has every damn thing you need. From the first class air suspension and well-calibrated brakes to the myriad of driving assistance and intuitive layout, the S-Class does half the job for you. Hell, you won't even need to worry about keeping the back seats in a tip-top condition because they come with matching pillows that will satisfy even the most demanding boss!

While it may seem overwhelming handling such a big car (especially for such a short driver like me), the S-Class is competent and manageable. No doubt size and weight can cause a problem but the car handles predictably, thanks to sound and consistent fundamental characteristics.

Being a driver requires more than just driving. Anyone with a valid licence can drive. But this grandest of Benzes doesn't seduce the driver like, say, a Jaguar XJ or a BMW 7 Series because that's not what the S-Class is for. It's made for bigger and better things like leading the rest of the segment - not just as a luxury sedan, but as a technological pioneer as well.

The S-Class is one car that will get you lost in your own world, Nicholas thinks

For sure, unlike the designated driver, there is no crying foul for the chauffeur. But needless to say, it is the chap seated with folded legs at the back that has it good. You must think a fool I must be, drifting onto the land of the riches and into the suit of a 'towkay' - though by no means do the labels read Yves Saint Laurent or Dolce & Gabbana. Then again, it wasn't difficult to be engrossed with the luxury of the S-Class, even if it's from a man of humble origins for a journey as rare as his penny.

But let's set things straight - if the driver is mind-blogged about the 'science' of the car, my experience at the rear must be an art. Besides the crafted trims that heavily decorate the rear quarters, there is something characterful about the S-Class' ride that cannot be denoted by figures or demonstrated by equations. 

While that may sound a little too arty-farty, the art of the S-Class isn't abstract by any standards. It is something that you and I will understand, and certainly does not take a connoisseur to appreciate. Housing one of the marque's greatest efforts in luxury car making, the S-Class is delectable in more ways than one.

Besides the plush cushions, the interior carries a warm glow that allows interchangeable colours, and an occasion with it. In fact, the illumination (both interior and exterior) is first in the world that does without the use of any light bulbs. And this just adds more credit (as well as boasting rights) to the boss' ride.

And although the flagship accomplishes half the task for the driver, it does much more for the passenger. In short, it leaves nothing on his hands but everything at his fingertips.

The infotainment system can be remotely controlled and even the personal headsets are wirelessly connected. It also allows you to tune in to your choice of music that is separated from the main audio system - almost like indulging in a world without intrusions or disruptions.

Or so we say - like a boss.