2026 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class With Alternative Design Language

New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class renderings in white. Is it better than the current one?
 

Some say that the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is inferior to the Rolls-Royce Ghost, and the same goes for the Bentley Flying Spur. However, we won’t delve into this aspect in this story, which is all about the German company’s luxury sedan’s alternative design language, which has created something truly spectacular.
 
As you likely know, the facelifted S-Class debuted at the beginning of the year, and it is much more than a simply mid-cycle refresh. The automaker states that it is practically half a new car, and that is something else entirely. It features a significantly larger grille that is illuminated for the first time. The hood ornament can also be illuminated, and the headlights and taillights feature starry accents.
 
A revamped color palette and new wheels are also on deck, and if you want extreme customization, then you should look no further than the Manufaktur program. The cockpit is a bit too techy, this writer thinks, as it features no fewer than three displays, including a screen mounted in front of the passenger. The dashboard is new, and so is the center console. A new multi-function steering wheels is also found inside, alongside a plethora of tech-related features.
 
Power-wise, it features a flat-plane crank V8 engine with mild-hybrid assistance, twin-turbos, and a 4.0-liter displacement ins the S 580, which enjoys 530 horsepower. The S 450 features a 3.0L inline-six with 376 hp, and the S 500 brings 443 horsepower to the table. A pair of 3.0L diesels is also a thing overseas, making 309 and 362 horsepower. The two PHEVs complete the lineup, with 429 and 577 horsepower.
 

Now that we have reminded ourselves about the latest iteration Mercedes S-Class, it is time to return to the original topic of this story, which is the rendered car that @kelsonik signed and shared on social media recently. The pixel master’s idea of what the updated Mercedes-Maybach S-Class should look like benefits from alternative styling that does not really have much in common with the real thing in Benz specification.
 
There is an entirely new front fascia with a much bigger grille, flanked by slimmer headlights at the top and some curvaceous vents at the bottom. The back end is home to thin and wide taillights. The trunk lid is a bit flatter, there is a new bumper that’s similar to the front one, and the rear license plate was moved further down. The profile reveals shorter side windows, redesigned pillars, flush-mounted door handles, and a few other bits and bobs that draw a clear line between this rendered car and the real one.
 
We don’t need to tell you that this look, which was inspired by the Mercedes-Benz Vision Iconic Concept, won’t have anything in common with the actual Mercedes-Maybach S-Class that is around the corner, do we? Still, if you had to choose between the real thing and this rendered project, which one would you get and why?