New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Digitally Loses All Camo

The current Mercedes-Benz S-Class, as well as the AMG model and the luxury-focused Maybachs, are going away for good. However, that doesn’t mean that the three-pointed star brand will be left with a void in its lineup, as the flagship sedan is coming back with a mid-cycle refresh.
 

The facelifted iteration of the W223 Mercedes S-Class has been spied several times, and it will feature a few updates at both ends, as well as a significant upgrade (for a facelifted car) on the inside, and maybe some tweaks to the powertrain family. Our previous encounter with this model dates back to a few days ago, when we wrote about a fully camouflaged prototype that definitely wanted to be noticed.
 
Now, the camouflage of that particular pre-production tester was digitally peeled off by the peeps at Kolesa. More particularly, it was Nikita Chuyko who messed around with the prototype’s looks, applying his photo-editing skills to reveal what lies beneath the fake skin. And whether you like it or not (spoiler alert: we do!), this is what the facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class will look like when it debuts, likely in a few months from now.
 
The design of the new grille is not exactly a secret anymore, as it was actually revealed in some patent images recently. The component was inspired by the one equipping the Vision Iconic Concept to some extent, and it has a retro-ish flavor to it. For what it’s worth, we think that it is one imposing feature that will definitely make the upcoming Mercedes S-Class stand out more, as you will instantly see the model in your rearview mirror.
 
We can say the same about the new star-studded headlights, and as we previously mentioned, we are quite surprised that it took Mercedes many decades to come up with this design feature. The automaker’s logo proudly decorates the hood, and further down, it has a pair of vents flanking the short and wide central one. The profile carries over, complete with the flush-mounted door handles, and at the rear, the facelifted S-Class looks evolutionary, with the new star-infused taillights and a tweaked bumper and diffuser.
 
The quoted pixel artist decided to opt for a white paint finish on the rendered 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class. And if you think that you have seen those wheels before, you should know that you have, as they equipped the prototype that we wrote about a couple of days ago. However, on the imagined German luxury sedan, they have a larger diameter, so they fill the wheel arches much more nicely than they did on the above-mentioned tester.
 
On the inside, the outgoing Mercedes S-Class certainly does not look bad at all. In fact, other than the tablet-like digital gauge cluster, we cannot complain about much else. Well, this and the overall build quality, but this is something that has hit not only all new-age Mercedes vehicles, but also other rides from different brands. And if you think that the facelifted iteration will solve the tablet-looking issue, you should know that it won’t.
However, the central screen mounted in the middle of the updated dashboard panel will be all-new. The MBUX Hyperscreen will dominate the cockpit, and the digital instrument cluster is expected to feature new software. Elsewhere, the facelifted Mercedes S-Class is expected to feature new switchgear on the updated steering wheel, as well as probably new leather upholstery options and some fresh trim elements to better differentiate itself from the outgoing one.
 

Some say that the powertrain family might undergo some tweaks of itself. However, Mercedes has managed to keep these details close to its chest for now. As a result, we will remind you that the most basic version of the car sold in our market uses a 442 bhp (330 kW/448 ps) and 413 pound-feet (560 Nm) of torque 3.0L mild-hybrid inline six. This is called the S 500 4Matic, and starts at $119,500 for the 2026 model year.
 
From $130,400 (MSRP), the S 580e 4Matic becomes available with its electrified powertrain that kicks out 503 bhp (375 kW/510 ps) and 553 pound-feet (750 Nm). The S 580 4Matic has a V8 engine with 496 bhp (370 kW/503 ps) and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm), and has an MSRP of $130,700. The plug-in hybrid Mercedes-AMG S 63 E Performance starts at $189,800 and boasts 791 bhp (590 kW/802 ps) and 1,055 pound-feet (1,430 Nm), sprinting to 60 mph (97 kph) in three seconds flat.
 
Mercedes-Maybach’s S 580 4Matic and S 680 4Matic complete the current S-Class family and start at $207,150 and $244,400, respectively. The former has a V8 4.0L engine with 496 bhp (370 kW/503 ps) and 516 pound-feet (700 Nm) of torque, and the latter enjoys 621 bhp (463 kW/630 ps) and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque.
 
It is the normal Benz models of the facelifted iteration W223 that will launch first, with the AMG likely following it about a year or so later, we think, and the three-pointed star brand’s luxury division, Maybach, will complete the offering eventually. Word on the street is that Mercedes will keep the V12 alive for as long as possible, as well as the V8, and that is great news for the Benz, AMG, and Maybach models, and not only.
 
The current Mercedes S-Class is a 2026 model year in the United States of America, and the facelifted one will likely be a 2027 model when it arrives at dealers on this side of the pond.
 
Do you like the upcoming one more than the outgoing iteration, as it was realistically imagined by the quoted rendering artist? We certainly do, as we think it is a much more appealing proposal from a visual perspective, as we dig the styling of the headlights and taillights with their star-studded designs, as well as the imposing front grille, and updated bumpers. Deep down, we hope that Mercedes will solve the build quality, as the S-Class deserves to be built like a tank, but that is probably wishful thinking.