Mercedes-Benz S-Class 2026: Luxurious W223 Facelift Adopts Autonomous Driving and Retains the V12 Engine

Mercedes-Benz’s flagship sedan is preparing for a crucial mid-cycle refresh to maintain its competitiveness in the luxury segment.

The current S-Class is close to receiving a facelift. Over five years have passed since this generation’s debut. This update is necessary to keep the sedan fresh before the arrival of its successor. Furthermore, this ensures its competitiveness against the BMW 7 Series, which is also set for renewal soon.

Ahead of a supposed premiere next month, the updated S-Class makes its first official appearance. Mercedes-Benz is turning its most luxurious model into a robotaxi for this debut. This explains the presence of a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor on the prototype.

From Robotaxi to Production Luxury Sedan

The brand has partnered with Momenta to implement a Level 4 autonomous driving system. This system is intended for a driverless shuttle service. Initially, the vehicles will be installed in Abu Dhabi, and the trial will extend to other locations afterwards.

The definitive customer production cars will dispense with the roof bump. They will also likely lose the side cameras mounted on the front fenders. This lightly camouflaged prototype showcases redesigned headlights with a striking star theme. New taillights are expected to incorporate the Mercedes logo.

Design Modifications and Significant Investment

Design tweaks will remain relatively modest. However, the S-Class will undergo substantial changes in its refresh. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius stated that the company has “invested much more” than in a typical facelift. On the other hand, technical specifications are still unknown.

Despite emissions standards, the V12 engine remains in the offering. As was customary, it will likely be reserved for the luxury Maybach version. The engine is expected to survive in Europe.

The Persistence of XXL Screens and Model Merger

Mercedes-Benz faced harsh criticism when the current S-Class debuted in 2020 due to its plethora of screens. A return to physical buttons and smaller screens seems highly unlikely. Chief Designer Gorden Wagener indicated that XXL screens are a necessity. He emphasized that users want visual references or to watch movies on the screen.

The S-Class will likely adopt the EQS dashboard design. This involves placing all screens under a single glass panel. Moreover, rival brands like BMW will give the 7 Series refresh a design with more screens. For now, the S-Class will continue to be sold alongside the EQS.

Future of the S-Class: Merger and New Electric Generation

Mercedes-Benz has already confirmed that both models will merge into a single line. The next generation of the S-Class will materialize this merger. As a result, the EQS will cease production after a single generation. It will be replaced by a new model marketed as the S-Class with EQ technology.

The electric sedan will abandon its ultra-aerodynamic silhouette. Furthermore, it will adopt stylistic features from the combustion engine model. This transition has already occurred in the CLA and GLB. The new generation model is expected to draw inspiration from the Vision Iconic concept. Finally, it will adopt a retro-flavored grille when it launches in 2029 or 2030.