From May 17 in Germany, it will be possible to order a Mercedes-Benz car with Drive Pilot Level 3 SAE. At the initial stage, this option will be available only for two models – the new generation S-Class sedan and the EQS electric liftback.

Image source: motor1.com

Autopilot costs €5,000 for the S-Class and €7,430 for the EQS, as the price includes the Driver Assistance Package Plus, which is standard on the S-Class.

The Stuttgart-based automaker has become the first in the industry to receive Level 3 autopilot certification. Last December, the German Federal Road Transport Authority (KBA) issued an “international system approval” for Drive Pilot Level 3 autonomy based on UN regulation UN-R157.

The third level of autonomy means that the driver can take their hands off the wheel while driving on the relevant German motorways at speeds up to 60 km/h. In this case, the autopilot will control the speed and distance in addition to the direction of the car in its lane, as well as react to the sudden appearance of other cars nearby and avoid unsafe maneuvers.

Britta Seeger, Member of the Mercedes-Benz Board of Directors, said the start of German sales of the S-Class and EQS with Drive Pilot Level 3 is the first step, and the company is platinum-platinum to receive U.S. autonomous driving system certification by the end of the year.