2026 Mercedes-AMG S 63 Sedan With Some Surprising Changes

Mercedes-Benz is getting ready to refresh its flagship sedan. The S-Class dominates its segment in sales, and the big car is a big deal for the brand. We’ve seen prototypes of the latest S-Class out testing in the cold and the warm, in both standard and Maybach versions. This time, it’s the fast one.
 

The latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class is being put through its paces. The CarBuzz spy photographers captured it on some fast roads, hiding its front and rear as well as its charge port door, and that last one is a bit strange.
 
S-Class Gets Small But Noteworthy Changes
The S-Class, even in the monstrously-powered S63 AMG form, is a conservative car and that means conservative design changes. The basic shape is what you’d expect from the big Benz, especially in the nose. That big piece of camo in the center hides the Benz emblem and a host of sensors in what is no doubt the Mercedes-AMG Panamericana grille, for example.
 
There are updates, though. Take the star emblem headlights, for example. They first appeared on the Concept CLA a couple of years ago, and now they are showing up on everything Benz makes. The AMG S-Class gets the same treatment in the rear.
 

If it’s covered in the spy shots, it’s probably different or connected to something different. That means the entire front bumper, which likely includes larger and more aggressive air intakes, and the rear bumper, which still has four big tailpipes and the mildest hint of a diffuser. Expect new turn signal repeaters in the side mirrors, too, since there’s tape on them.
 
The fender camo appears to be hiding some new cameras. A more advanced driver assist system, a new version of Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot, is a possibility.
 
Benz appears to have moved the charge port. The 2025 S-Class has it mounted just a couple of inches behind the rear door seam. On this car, it starts at least a few inches rearward, and that’s if it’s on the very edge of the small camo panel. The door looks to be mounted lower, as well.
 

Bigger Screens Inside Is The Trend
Inside, this car will get the latest Mercedes-Benz Hyperscreen. That’s the brand’s giant panel that integrates multiple screens to look like one. The system launched in the EQS with 56 inches of display area and the latest version of MBUX. Expect the even newer version of MBUX infotainment here.
 
One thing our spies don’t expect to change is what’s under the hood. The 2025 Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance comes with a V8 engine and an electric motor for its hybrid powertrain. The 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 makes 603 horsepower, and the electric motor (with a two-speed transmission of its own) integrated into the nine-speed automatic adds 188 horsepower.
 
The combined output is 791 horsepower and 1,055 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to get this beast from a standstill to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds. Stay on the throttle, and the big Benz will top out at around 180 mph. If you can be frugal with the go pedal, you get 16 miles of electric-only range before the small battery is used up.
 
Expect the new S-Class to be revealed later this year. The AMG model will probably arrive at the same time or shortly thereafter.