New Delhi: The Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been an icon and something of a trend-setter for a decade. When it comes to luxury saloons, it has been one of the
go-to cars for nearly 70 years now. Despite the mighty Rolls-Royce, Bentleys, BMWs, and more recently even Genesis, throwing their weight, the S-Class is one that reigns at the top of the crowd.
Which makes sense why Mercedes doesn’t want to give away the throne just now. At the celebration of their 140th anniversary, the mid-lifecycle update for the W223 S-Class, and the big news brings a lot of next-gen tech and upgrades the powertrain for the Euro 7 emissions. In terms of design, it is the subtle tweaks that make it feel refreshed and familiar at the same time.
Mercedes S-Class exterior design
Mercedes S-Class design gets subtle tweaks
The new S-Class is very familiar and borrows design elements that have made it so iconic for so long. The 2027 comes with the headlight fixture flanking a slightly larger grille, a much sharper bumper and the three-pointed stars lining each of the grille’s vertical slats. Even the headlights have the star etched, as most of the modern Mercs do.
At the back, the design takes cues from E-Class and each horizontally oriented taillight comes with three star-shapedlighting elements, connected with a sleek strip of chrome across the trunk lid. Further, there are chrome accents that frame the exhaust tips at the base of the bumper.
The side profile is quite like the S-Class, with a tall greenhouse for the front and back passengers and it gets a smooth roofline that flows seamlessly into the boot. You also get the standard 19-inch, high-spoke wheels for that premium look.
Mercedes S-Class interior and technology
Step inside, and the S-Class does get some very subtle but glaring upgrades. There is the once-dominant Hyperscreen that is now a little toned down and is one single, uninterrupted pane of glass; the instrument cluster and central touchscreen are completely separate.
Mercedes S-Class interior
Mercedes are calling the layout as “Superscreen”, which unifies functions of the car, including headlights, cameras, the powertrain, suspensions and the lot, which makes it more than just an infotainment system. It comes with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, along with a 14.3-inch central touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch passenger display. The system comes with the newest version of Benz’s MBUX interface, adding features like Google Maps-based navigation and generative AI integration.
The technology extends to the back seat as well, coming with two 13.1-inch displays that are mounted to the front seatbacks. Back passengers come with two completely detachable MBUX remotes for the first time. Mercedes is even offering platforms like Disney+ and YouTube directly through the MBUX system.
It is a software-defined car that can get functional updates over the air. The MB OS is the MD Drive Assist, which is an ADAS that is coming as standard. In markets starting with China and then the USA, there is also Drive Assist Pro, which is full self-driving (FSD).
Like before, the S-Class comes with adaptive air suspension as standard, with active, self-levelling suspension as an option and with 10-degree back-axle steering remains an option, with a lesser 4.5 degree version coming as standard.
Mercedes S-Class interior is full of opulence as always
It also comes with premium leather upholstery, including optional quilted finishes, which continues to cover the seats and door panels, with select wood or trim inserts remaining available on the centre console and along the window sills, with their presence is noticeably reduced.
The dashboard layout has been upgraded significantly, and the familiar cluster of four AC vents has been replaced with a slim metallic strip accented with colour-changing LED lighting that conceals the climate controls. Even the traditional vertical side vents have given way to metallic rotary units with integrated ambient lighting, a bold design shift that feels at odds with the understated elegance traditionally associated with the S-Class.
Mercedes S-Class powertrain
Mercedes S-Class powertrain includes a powerful V8 as well
One of the biggest upgrades in the 2027 S-Class is what it gets under the bonnet. The S580 gets the all-new 4.0-litre V8 engine coming with a flat-plane crankshaft. The engine makes 530 bhp and 750 Nm of torque, boosted by a mild-hybrid, coming mild-hybrid system with an integrated starter-generator that gives it 23 more horsepower. Mercedes have claimed it does 0-100 kph in 3.9 seconds.
The base trim, S500, comes with a new inline-six engine making 442 bhp and 600 Nm of torque, and with the overtorque function activated, it will be 639 Nm of torque. It will go from 0-100 in 4.3 seconds and is electronically limited to 209 kph.
Mercedes will also keep the plug-in hybrid option for 2027. The S580e pairs with an updated inline-six engine with an electric motor for a combined performance of 576 bhp, which is 73 bhp more than before and 750 Nm of torque. Mercedes haven’t given an electric-only range, but it should be above 75 km. All the trims get power sent to all four wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission.
Mercedes Airmatic air suspension comes as standard across all models, with E-Active Body Control intelligent adaptive damping still an option. Overall, by all the virtues and looks, it is a proper S-Class limousine that everyone adores so much.
