Mercedes has overhauled its S-Class luxury saloon in a major makeover for 2026.

Uncovered as the brand honours 140 years of innovations, the flagship model gets its most extensive update in one generation following the arrival of the seventh-generation S-Class in 2021.

Over half of the BMW 7 Series rival is newly developed or re-engineered, equating to around 2,700 components.

Exterior updates deliver a “bolder, confident and individual appearance” that’s “more S-Class than ever”.

There’s a larger grille with redesigned, 3D chrome stars and optional illumination. The twin-star headlamp design is also new while the Digital Lights themselves use micro-LED technology for enhanced brightness.

The taillights have been revised too with three chrome-framed signature stars. The S-Class also gets an integrated light projector in the side sill trim that casts the ‘Mercedes‑Benz’ lettering as a lighting scheme.

The revamped S-Class also gets a new digital onboard experience powered by the Mercedes‑Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which comes with a new service-orientated electrical and electronic architecture and delivers faster processing, greater computing power and a “deeply integrated” experience.

The new S-Class models are equipped with a water-cooled supercomputer, providing “high-performance computing for state-of-the-art driving and parking assistance systems”.

Standard equipment includes MB.Drive Assist with features such as Distance Assist Distronic with Steering Assist and Lane Change Assist. Evasive Steering Function Plus autonomously steers around objects or other vehicles to prevent collisions within the vehicle’s own lane Proactive Lane Change Assist offers automated lane changes. Additionally, MB.Drive Assist Pro includes enhanced assistance functions such as automated braking at stop signs and on traffic lights.

The introduction of the fourth MBUX generation in the S‑Class brings AI from ChatGPT4o and Microsoft Bing as well as Google Gemini, combining multiple AI agents in one system. There’s also a new MBUX Virtual Assistant.

The interior is dominated by the MBUX Superscreen, which unites the 14.4-inch central display and the 12.3-inch passenger display beneath a continuous glass surface. The 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is optionally available in 3D.

Other features include an intelligent MBUX surround navigation solution based on Google Maps and MBUX augmented reality head-up display.

Long wheelbase versions come with a four-seat First-Class rear compartment that turns the rear of the S‑Class into a business lounge and features a full-length rear centre console complete with concealed storage with wireless and fast-charging USB-C ports for mobile devices, plus a refrigerated compartment and temperature-controlled cupholders.

Passengers can choose from a continuously expanding app portfolio that now includes video streaming platforms such as Disney+ and RIDEVU by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Streaming is integrated into the MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment system.

Customers can choose between two optional Burmester surround sound systems: the 3D surround sound system, now upgraded with elegant silver speaker caps in the mirror triangle, and the high-end 4D surround sound system with Dolby Atmos.

There’s even a new heated seat belt to take the chill out of cold mornings, plus a new Digital Vent Control and an advanced electric filter.

Powertrain line-ups for specific markets are yet to be confirmed but the global line-up includes a new flat-plane-crank V8 engine with 537hp and 750 Nm of torque. Other engines include the six‑cylinder petrol engine in the S450 4Matic and S500 4Matic, with torque increased up to 600Nm and up to 640Nm using “overtorque”.

The plug-in hybrid powertrain, which has an electric range of around 62 miles, teams up this upgraded six-cylinder engine with an electric motor, increasing power by up to 75hp.

Diesels include the new six-cylinder OM 656 Evo used for the S350d 4Matic and S450d 4Matic. As with the six-cylinder petrol, it gets a 48V electrical system for mild hybrid support.

Airmatic air suspension comes as standard or E-Active body control is an option; both now feature intelligent damping.

Rear-axle steering is now standard with 4.5 degrees of control and optionally offering up to 10 degrees of steering angle – the latter reduces the turning circle by almost two metres.