Drive Pilot : Mercedes S-Class, EQS Gets 95 km/h Hands-free ‘Level 3’ Driving On German Highways

Drive Pilot : Mercedes-Benz S-Class Aand EQS gets 95 km/h hands-free ‘Level 3’ Level 3 autonomous driving on the German Highways.

Updated DRIVE PILOT is now the fastest certified system for conditionally automated driving in a standard production vehicle.

Starting at 5,950 euros incl. VAT, sales release of updated DRIVE PILOT in Germany expected in spring 2025.

Mercedes cars already fitted with the system will get the update for free via the internet (Over-the-Air-Update) or at the workshop.

Mercedes-Benz has received approval from the German Federal Motor Transport Authority for its updated DRIVE PILOT system, enabling conditionally automated driving (SAE Level 3) at speeds up to 95 km/h (59 miles per hour).

Optionally available on two luxury saloon car ranges – S-Class and EQS, the updated DRIVE PILOT is now the fastest certified system for conditionally automated driving (SAE‑Level 3) in a standard production vehicle.

Set for the upcoming sales release in early 2025 in Germany, the price of the updated DRIVE PILOT starts at 5,950 euros incl. VAT, though Mercedes said cars already fitted with the system will get the update for free – either via the internet (Over-the-Air-Update) or during a visit at the workshop.

With this latest upgrade, the hands-free DRIVE PILOT can be used in flowing traffic up to 95 km/h (59 miles per hour) under certain conditions on the entire 13,191 km (8,196.5 miles)-long German Autobahn network.

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When DRIVE PILOT is activated, Mercedes drivers are legally allowed watch TV or even streaming a movie, read the newspaper (physically or through the MBUX system) or simply relax while the car is driving conditionally automated.

While its DRIVE PILOT SAE Level 3 automated driving function takes over certain driving tasks when activated, Mercedes notes that driver’s must be ready to take control of the vehicle at all times when prompted to intervene by the vehicle.

“If the driver fails to take back control even after increasingly urgent prompting and expiration of the takeover time (e.g., due to a severe health problem), the system brakes the vehicle to a standstill in a controlled manner while engaging the hazard warning lights.”

Mercedes‑Benz aims to achieve a speed range of up to 130 km/h (80.8 miles per hour) for its Drive PILOT system by the end of this decade, which is currently the legally allowed top speed for conditionally automated driving in Germany.

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