The era of the flagship sedan might be over, but Mercedes is working on an updated S-Class. It can’t come soon enough as the model will celebrate its fourth anniversary this fall. Caught undergoing testing, the prototypes are still under heavy disguised, but hint at significant changes. While they remain instantly recognizable, there are a handful of updates including an all-new grille. Although largely obscured by camouflage, the grille has increased in size and is taller than the one on the current model.
The grille is flanked by new headlights
that incorporate three-pointed star graphics. These function as both daytime
running lights as well as turn signals. Elsewhere, there’s a new front bumper
with revised air intakes. The prototypes also appear to have camouflaged
mirrors, which suggests they’ll be updated as well.
The
rest of the design largely carries over, but we can see a lightly revised rear
end with new taillights that feature star graphics. They’re joined by an
evolutionary bumper. The S-Class may also incorporate some changes to the
reflectors and exhaust. Spy photographers didn’t get a look inside, but
previous reports have suggested big changes are in store for the cabin. While
nothing is official, the model is rumored to adopt an all-new dashboard that
features a Hyperscreen display. The car is also slated to offer a front
passenger screen, which is now in vogue.
Little else is known about the model at
this point, but the current S-Class offers an assortment of engines including
an turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six developing 442 hp and 559 Nm of torque. Customers can also get a 496 hp twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8, a 621 hp twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12,
and a plug-in hybrid powertrain that has an electric-only range of 74
km.
