It’s been 140 years since Karl Benz unveiled the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, what is widely regarded as the first modern automobile in history. Now 140 years later, Mercedes-Benz is celebrating that achievement with the unveiling of the updated 2026 S-Class.
This is no mere cosmetic refresh, the company says, as it features over 2,700 new parts, accounting for 50% of the flagship sedan. Apparently, the update is even too large for Mercedes-Benz to document every change in one place, so they have provided five press releases. We will save you the hassle of reading through all of that.
First, the front grille of the new S-Class is 20% larger than before. If you squint, you will notice tiny, individual, hot-stamped stars in a chrome finish filling the space. If you are wondering how many there are, the answer is 112, and that is just in the front grille. One has to wonder if each of those stars is counted individually toward that 2,700-part total.
To truly make your presence known on the road, the front grille is now illuminated. You can even opt for the three-pointed star on the bonnet to be illuminated as well, which is a first for the model.
Flanking this star-spangled grille is a pair of new Digital Light micro-LED headlights, which feature a twin-star design in each unit. According to the carmaker, these headlights deliver a 40% larger illumination field while consuming less energy.
Paired with the aptly named Ultra Range high beam, these headlights boast a reach of 600 metres. They can even swivel for optimal coverage and will not dazzle oncoming drivers. Even the taillights get the star treatment, with each unit featuring three chrome-framed signature stars to really let people know what you are driving.
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Beyond these exterior additions, the rest of the luxo-barge design remains largely familiar. However, the facelift does introduce new 20-inch multi-spoke wheels produced using a high-pressure casting technique, featuring an intricate 50-cross-spoke design. If these are not to your liking, new 19-inch items and a 20-inch AMG Line alloy are also on offer, along with a new colour option for the 21-inch AMG Line wheels.
Open the rear doors to the updated S-Class, and you’ll be greeted by an interior dubbed by Mercedes-Benz as a “boardroom on wheels”. While the rear seats are fixed as standard, they can be upgraded to power-adjustable units that enable the backrest to recline up to 37 degrees. For those seeking the full “First-Class” rear compartment experience, a four-seat configuration is available. This replaces the bench with two individual executive seats, allowing the rear passenger to recline up to a more substantial 43 degrees.
When equipped with individual executive seats, the S-Class features a full-length rear centre console that provides concealed storage, wireless charging, fast-charging USB-C ports, a refrigerated compartment and temperature-controlled cupholders. Folding tables are also included to create a mobile workspace.
To control these creature comforts from arm’s reach, there are two new detachable MBUX remotes which operate the climate, window shades and the larger 13.1-inch rear entertainment displays. These screens now feature integrated HD cameras, allowing for high-definition video conferencing via apps like Microsoft Teams while on the move.
The new Manufaktur Made to Measure programme offers an extensive range of further personalisation options, allowing for an almost unlimited level of tailoring. Customers can choose from more than 150 exterior paint colours and over 400 interior combinations, ensuring that no two examples of the flagship sedan need to be the same.
Of course, we cannot discuss the S-Class without addressing the technology. The car is equipped with a water-cooled supercomputer, which powers the new MBUX Superscreen, consisting of a 14.4-inch central display and a 12.3-inch passenger display beneath a continuous glass surface. This is paired with a separate 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, and further complemented by an MBUX Augmented Reality head-up display.
Other tech features in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class include automatically adjusted air vents and heated seat belts, provided you opt for the two available thermal comfort packages. The latter is achieved by integrating thin heating elements into the belt that can quickly warm occupants to 44 degrees Celsius. You’ll likely have little use for such a feature here in Malaysia, though.
Under all that bling and opulence, the refreshed Mercedes-Benz S-Class is powered by a range of updated engines, headlined by the 4.0-litre V8 biturbo in the S580 4Matic. This V8 engine now features a flat-plane crankshaft, delivering 537 hp and 750 Nm of torque.
To ensure this power is delivered with traditional S-Class composure, airmatic air suspension is equipped as standard, featuring continuously adjustable damping to iron out road imperfections. This is complemented by rear-axle steering, which is also now a standard feature. By turning the rear wheels up to 10 degrees, it reduces the turning circle of this luxo-barge by almost two metres.
As standard, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is equipped with the standard Airmatic air suspension or the optional E-Active Body Control. Both systems now feature a new “intelligent damping” function that uses the Mercedes Intelligent Cloud to anticipate road imperfections. By using Car-to-X information shared by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the car can detect a speed bump or pothole up to 10 metres in advance and adjust the damping rate electrically before the wheels even make contact.
The system is sophisticated enough to differentiate between sharp jolts, like potholes, and long, vertical body movements caused by speed bumps. While Mercedes-Benz developed this primarily for the undulating roads of the USA and Southern Europe, it is a feature that will likely be working overtime on the diverse road surfaces here in Malaysia.
For those not opting for the V8, the 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine in the S450 and S500 now features a revised intake camshaft and optimised ports. Torque has increased to 600 Nm, with an overtorque function providing a short-term boost to 640 Nm.
The plug-in hybrid variants (S450e and S580e) pair this upgraded engine with a more powerful electric motor, offering an electric-only range of approximately 100 km. System output has increased by 75 hp (55 kW) over the previous generation, and all models now feature pressurised fuel tanks as standard to maintain efficiency during extended electric running.
On the oil-burner front, the diesel line-up (S350 d and S450 d) introduces the new 3.0-litre OM 656 Evo straight-six engine. This unit features the first series-production use of an electrically heated catalytic converter, allowing the exhaust after-treatment to reach optimal temperature faster. Improvements to the crankcase ventilation and cooling systems have also been implemented to enhance long-term durability.
Regardless of fuel types, every engine in the S-Class range is now equipped with a 23 hp (17 kW) integrated starter-generator (ISG). This 48-volt system provides a 250 Nm torque boost at low revs and enables coasting functions where the engine shuts off entirely at cruising speeds. The ISG also ensures the start-stop transition is virtually imperceptible.
European customers can configure and order the new S-Class online starting from 30 January 2026. There, the Mercedes-Benz S350d 4Matic is available from a starting gross list price of EUR121,356.20 (approx. RM570k). For those in Malaysia, the current locally assembled (CKD) S580e is priced at RM738,888 on-the-road without insurance.
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