At the celebration of Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary, the wraps have come off the mid-lifecycle update for the W223 S Class, and the big news is a huge infusion of next-gen tech and upgraded powertrains ready for Euro 7 emissions norms. Mercedes’ industry-leading flagship limousine has also been given cosmetic tweaks – some subtle, others less so – as well as a wider array of personalisation potential via the brand’s Manufaktur catalogue. The facelifted S Class is expected to launch in India in late 2026 or early 2027.
2026 Mercedes S Class moves up to MB OS digital architecture
Liquid-cooled control unit operates all vehicular functions and full-self driving functions
The biggest update has been made under the skin but its interface is plain to see as soon you swing a door open. Gone is the flowing, wood-panelled dashboard with the vertical touchscreen at its centre, and in its place a gloss black panel with three screens – a Superscreen, in Mercedes terms. 12.3-inch driver and front passenger displays are where you’d expect but the highlight is the 14.4-inch central touchscreen, which is the heart – and brain – of the car.
The newest generation of the brand’s MBUX digital architecture, dubbed MB OS has made its way to the S-Class, having previously appeared in the smaller CLA and GLB. Mercedes calls it a ‘supercomputer’ and more than just being your infotainment unit, it unifies all the functions of the car – right from the headlights, to the cameras, the powertrain and the suspension. It also incorporates a lot of AI and cloud computing to power its digital assistant (which combines ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing), Google Maps-based navigation and V2X functions. And yes, the S-Class is now a software-defined vehicle (SDV) that can get functional updates over the air.
Another function integrated with MB OS is MB Drive Assist, which is ADAS that comes as standard. However, in markets which will allow it, starting with China and then the US, there is also Drive Assist Pro, which is full self driving (FSD). As before, the S-Class gets adaptive air suspension as standard with active, self-levelling suspension as an option, and while 10-degree rear-axle steering remains optional, the lesser 4.5-degree version is now standard.
2026 Mercedes S Class interior now has seven screens!
E-class-like ‘Superscreen’ dashboard replaces leather and wood panels
As mentioned above, screens have replaced the conventional dashboard, giving the car a far more tech-heavy look. There are still two 13.1-inch rear entertainment touchscreens in the back of each front seat, while the rear controller tablet has been replaced by two smaller individual touch controllers, akin to personal smartphones.
That’s not to say the luxury is gone, however. Rich leather, optionally quilted, still lines the doors and seats, and some wood or trim panelling can still be had on the centre console and window sills, but it is far less now. In place of the four small AC vents on top of the dash is a narrow band of metal strips, lined with LED bands that actively change colour, that hide the climate unit. And in place of the vertical vents on the sides are metallic rotary vents with ambient lighting, which are the most jarring departure from the luxurious, elegant S-class look. Like in the E-Class, all the AC vents are powered and can be digitally adjusted with presets like ‘diffuse’ and ‘focus’, but can also be manually adjusted by hand.
This generation of S-Class already did away with many of the buttons on the dashboard, and the facelift continues that with only a thin band of capacitive shortcut keys below the screen. Even the fingerprint scanner has been done away with in favour of facial recognition via the dash-mounted camera, which also handles video calling, takes selfies and monitors the cabin when the car’s parked. But some buttons have been added – the steering wheel now gets a scroll wheel and a toggle switch for easier use on the move.
A small but welcome change is the wireless charger being moved from inside the storage cubby to an open tray on the centre console for easy access, and there are now two of them, whereas the one in the rear remains. Speaking of the rear seat, it’s where the least change has been made, but then little needed to be. The long-wheelbase version, which we get in India, continues to get 43deg of rear-seat recline, heating, ventilation and massage, an optional four-seat split cabin with fold-out trays, and sublime cushioning and comfort.
2026 Mercedes S Class engines upgraded for Euro 7 emissions
4.0 V8 now uses flat-plane-crank design, dual balancer shafts; power up to 537hp
While no new engines have been added to the line-up, the whole range has been updated to meet the upcoming Euro 7 emissions norms. The good news is that both the six-cylinder diesel and the petrol V8 have been retained thanks to these updates, and both will come to India. As before, all engines are helped by a 48V mild hybrid system and 17kW integrated starter generator (ISG), which too have been upgraded to provide stronger boost earlier on, and smoothen the transition between coasting and engine power.
Now called the M177 Evo, the 3982cc twin-turbocharged V8 has moved to a flat-plane crank design with a new firing order, and uses dual balancer shafts to offset the vibrations. In the S 580, it produces as much as 537hp and 750Nm, which is expected go much higher in its new application in various upcoming AMG models. We were given a brief passenger ride in a camouflaged S-Class prototype and can report it sounds rather good, with a distant, cultured growl.
It, along with the 6-cylinder petrol (now called M 256 Evo), have been given upgrades like optimised intake and exhaust ports, and a revised intake camshaft, along with increased insulation. The OM 656 Evo – the 6-cylinder diesel – has been given its own set of upgrades, like an electrically heated catalytic converter, to meet the new norms, while the plug-in hybrid versions can now drive up to 100km on electric power, rather than just 75km.
2026 Mercedes S Class exterior design: Familiar but futuristic
Flashier re-interpretation of traditional Mercedes face with plenty more LEDs
Mercedes exterior design has been taking bold leaps lately, but there’s a reverence about the S Class flagship that simply can’t be disturbed too much. The new version is certainly showier, with a grille that’s grown 20 percent larger, whose traditional slats are interjected with tiny chrome stars, and whose frame is subtly illuminated. The star atop the bonnet is illuminated too, and the headlamps have grown, and feature a pair of three-pointed star DRLs in each unit. Incidentally, they use Merc’s newest micro-LED Digital Light tech, which serves up 40 percent greater illumination, while being lighter and using less energy.
In profile, the changes are harder to spot. There are new wheel designs, including intricate 50-spoke units created with a new high-pressure casting technique, as well as new standard paint shades, many borrowed from the Manufaktur exclusive catalogue. There are more sensors all around too – 10 cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors – all to serve the significantly upgraded ADAS tech. At the rear, the major change are slimmer tail-lamps which, like the E-Class, now incorporate three-pointed star LED motifs into their signature.
