Mercedes-Benz Unveils Facelifted "New Mercedes-Benz S-Class"

Over 50% of Vehicle Components Newly Developed and Redesigned

Mercedes-Benz unveiled the facelifted model of its flagship sedan, the "new Mercedes-Benz S-Class," for the first time in the world in Stuttgart, Germany, on January 29 (local time).

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class features the most extensive update ever within a single generation, with over 2,700 components-accounting for more than 50% of the vehicle-either newly developed or redesigned. It is scheduled to be launched in Korea in the second half of 2026.

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Mercedes-Benz Korea

The new S-Class is the first to feature an illuminated grille. This grille is 20% larger than that of the previous S-Class and is accentuated by a three-dimensional chrome star. The new digital light twin star headlamp design creates an iconic look while enhancing visibility. Innovative micro LED technology and a powerful new chip have expanded the high-resolution lighting area by approximately 40%.

The new S-Class is equipped with the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). This supercomputer is involved in every domain, from driving assistance to infotainment and driving performance, offering faster processing speeds, enhanced computing power, and a deeply integrated experience. The vehicle’s fourth-generation MBUX combines artificial intelligence (AI) from ChatGPT-4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, integrating multiple AI agents into a single system. Customers can enjoy a more intuitive and personalized digital experience through generative AI, multi-turn conversations, and short-term memory features.

The new S-Class combines Mercedes-Benz’s signature tranquility and stability with refined performance, thanks to its meticulously enhanced electrified powertrain lineup. Customers can choose from a range of options, including V8 and inline-six gasoline engines, inline-six diesel engines, and plug-in hybrids. The new engines are equipped with a 17 kW integrated starter-generator (ISG). The ISG, available for both gasoline and diesel models, provides intelligent assistance at low RPMs.

The world premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class also commemorated the 140th anniversary of the world’s first automobile patent application. On January 29, 1886, Carl Benz filed a patent for his Motorwagen (motorized vehicle), and in the same year, Gottlieb Daimler developed the Motorkutsche (motorized carriage). These two vehicles marked the starting point of the automobile, and since then, Mercedes-Benz has continued to lead the advancement of the automotive industry to this day.

To celebrate the 140th anniversary of the first automobile patent application, the new S-Class will embark on a journey to visit Mercedes-Benz customers and fans at 140 locations worldwide. After its world premiere in Stuttgart, the vehicle will travel across six continents, covering over 50,000 kilometers, and is scheduled to conclude its journey in Stuttgart this October.