Mercedes-Benz isn’t playing around with its flagship sedan. CEO Ola Källenius recently offered a surprisingly candid look at what’s coming for the refreshed S-Class, and the scope of changes has surprised many enthusiasts. With the official debut set for January 29, 2026, this update amounts to much more than the typical mid-cycle nip and tuck.
- Mercedes says over half the car has been changed or refined, with about 2,700 parts getting updates.
- The new S-Class is the first to run fully on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS.
- Mercedes has made improvements to every powertrain in the S-Class lineup, including a new flat-plane crank V8 engine.
Why Mercedes Calls This the “Most Radical Refresh”
The CEO says that it’s the most “radical refresh” in Mercedes history to mark the 140th anniversary of the company this year. Källenius has noted that the company “invested a lot more in the model update of the new combustion engine S-Class than we normally spend on a facelift.”
Mercedes is clear that this isn’t a routine facelift. The S-Class still represents the brand’s flagship for comfort, safety, and tech, and this update is meant to keep it at the top of its game for years to come. The current W223 generation debuted back in 2020, making it about five years old and due for some attention.
New Engine Tech Headlines the Refresh
The M 177 Evo will deliver 530 hp and 750 Nm of torque, with improved turbocharger housings and a fuel injection system designed to make the V8 more responsive, refined, and efficient. That flat-plane crank design is a surprising choice for a luxury sedan, typically reserved for sports cars where drivers want that sharper throttle response and higher-pitched exhaust note.
More changes are found under the hood, where the S450 and S500 receive an updated inline-six engine. The “M256 Evo” now delivers 443 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 30 lb-ft over the previous S500. The S-Class facelift will also be offered as a plug-in hybrid for customers choosing the S580e, which pairs the revised six-cylinder engine with an electrified motor. Combined output increases by 74 hp, while the battery pack is estimated to provide more than 62 miles of electric range.
Cloud-Connected Suspension Reads the Road Ahead
Ride comfort is still a top priority, with updates to the Airmatic air suspension aimed at smoothing out rough roads and long stretches. There’s also a new cloud-based suspension system that lets S-Class models share road data, so the car can get ready for bumps before you even feel them.
This new ‘Intelligent Damper Control’ function uses data collected from other Mercedes cars on the road to anticipate potholes, speed bumps, or other imperfections, and will increase damping to preserve the car’s ride comfort. Think of it as crowd-sourced smoothness, where every Mercedes becomes a scout for the ones behind it.
MB.OS Brings a Complete Software Overhaul
The new S-Class is the first to run fully on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, or MB.OS. This is a complete overhaul of the car’s software, running everything from infotainment to rear-seat entertainment, over-the-air updates, and features Mercedes hasn’t even announced yet.
As Källenius rides in the back seat in the preview video, he describes the updated sound system with Dolby Atmos tuning as a “concert hall.” The interior gets attention too, with every trim surface reworked to push the S-Class’s quiet, tactile luxury even further.
Fresh Styling with Stars Everywhere
The three-pointed star on the bonnet will be illuminated for the first time ever, according to CEO Källenius. The updated car’s grille will be larger than before too, and have a “new status-oriented, prestige type of look” flanked by new headlights that incorporate the company’s three-pointed star emblem, as do the new taillights.
Buyers will be able to customize their vehicles in any exterior and interior color in the world through an exclusive customization program. Mercedes is clearly betting that personalization will be a big draw for wealthy buyers who want something one-of-a-kind.
Should You Wait for the 2027 Model?
With this being the most extensive S-Class facelift ever, there’s plenty of reason to pay attention to how Mercedes CEO breaks down the major changes in the refreshed S-Class. The facelift breaks cover on January 29, with the further-stretched Maybach variant following later in the year.
The V-12 is definitely sticking around and will likely be reserved for the upscale Maybach version. For buyers who’ve been eyeing the current model, the wait might be worth it, especially with the new engine options and suspension tech on offer. The updated sedan should arrive as a 2027 model in the U.S. later this year.
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