More Displays and an Enlarged Grille: Mercedes-Benz Introduced the Updated S-Class

Mercedes-Benz showcased the updated S-Class for the 2026 model year. Five years after the debut of the current generation, the company calls this update the most extensive within one generation of the flagship sedan.

What is Known

Externally, the S-Class has noticeably changed. The grille became 20% larger and received four horizontal chrome bars instead of three. For the first time, the model offers an illuminated grille with volumetric stars, and the signature star on the hood can now also be illuminated—an option primarily targeted at the U.S. and Chinese markets. The lighting equipment has also been updated: the headlights have a new Twin Star pattern, the rear lights feature three chrome stars, and the Digital Light system is 40% brighter.

The options list includes new 20-inch wheels manufactured by high-pressure casting, which reduced weight and made the design more elegant. For those who prefer a more aggressive style, there's the AMG Line Plus package with extended air intakes, black accents in the Night Package, and dark chrome in the exhaust system.

The most significant changes occurred in the cabin. The vertical central display is a thing of the past—the S-Class now comes standard with the MBUX Superscreen system. It combines a 14.4-inch central screen and a 12.3-inch passenger screen under a single sheet of glass, while the instrument panel remains a separate 12.3-inch display. The ventilation system has been completely redesigned: instead of four round vents, there's a wide horizontal line flowing into the doors.

Mercedes has partially abandoned touch elements on the steering wheel: now, cruise control is managed with rocker switches, and volume is adjusted via a separate rotary knob. The MBUX voice assistant now supports ChatGPT-4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, can maintain context in conversations, and offers different avatars to choose from. The multimedia system natively integrates Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Music, and RIDEVU.

Among the new options are electrically adjustable vents with preset blowing modes, seatbelt heaters for the front seats up to 44 °C, and removable MBUX control panels for rear passengers. The screens for the second row have been increased to 33.3 cm and are equipped with HD cameras for video conferencing in Teams, Zoom, and Webex. For the first time, an S-Class is offered with a fully synthetic leather interior.

The engine lineup has also been updated. The V8 in the S 580 4MATIC (M177 Evo) develops 537 horsepower and 750 Nm and features a flat crankshaft. The six-cylinder M256 Evo in the S 450 and S 500 features a more powerful electric compressor and develops torque up to 600 Nm (temporarily up to 640 Nm). The diesel OM 656 Evo became the first production engine with an electrically heated catalyst to reduce harmful emissions during cold starts.

The plug-in hybrid S 580 e received a power increase to 430 kW (585 hp) while maintaining an electric range of over 100 km. The armored S 680 Guard remains in the lineup with a V12 engine producing 612 hp and a top speed of 210 km/h.

The Airmatic suspension is standard, and the E-Active Body Control system is available as an option. Both systems feature Intelligent Damping, which uses Car-to-X data to prepare for road irregularities in advance. The fully steerable chassis is now standard on the S-Class: the rear wheels turn up to 4.5°, while the 10° version remains an option.

Mercedes-Benz has not yet disclosed information on pricing and release schedules for the updated S-Class.

Source: Mercedes-Benz