Mercedes S-Class Facelift: Extending its lifespan with a model update

Contents

Actually, as the strategists at Mercedes surely hoped, the transition to the battery-electric world in the luxury segment would be seamless with two models. Here the proven S-Class for those customers who struggle with complete powertrain electrification, there the EQS for those who already want to have the future in terms of powertrain. The strategy did not work out, even though the EQS drives fantastically. Therefore, the S-Class will not be replaced in the long term, and will be revised in the short term.

No More Level 3, But...

A few weeks ago, the media outcry was loud: Mercedes is no longer offering Level 3 semi-autonomous driving in the revised S-Class. There are several reasons for this, one of which is economic. Because only a few customers were willing to pay a few thousand extra for the ultimately rather modest capabilities of this assistant – even in this class. Because being able to drive at a maximum of 95 km/h with many restrictions, and having to be ready to take over control again within a few seconds, did not seem sufficiently attractive to a relevant number of customers. However, Mercedes is not giving up on this topic, but is trying it with a "Level 2++" system, where the driver always remains responsible, initially to reach a wider audience. A first drive with a CLA showed a convincing picture. Levels 3 and 4 will return, although Mercedes leaves it open when that might be the case. In this generation, it will almost certainly not be offered anymore.

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S-Klasse Modellpflege Teil 1 (8 Bilder)

With MB.Drive Assist Pro, the facelifted S-Class offers what we were able to test in the CLA recently. The car can practically navigate to its destination on its own even in the city, but the person behind the wheel must be able to intervene at any time. This is initially only approved on roads in China, and approval for the US market is foreseeable. European customers will have to wait until the legal requirements allow it.

"Strengthened Emotional Bond"

Mercedes has redesigned the interior. A flood of huge displays is now standard. Mercedes promises an even easier-to-use interface. The MBUX infotainment system has now arrived at the MB.OS operating system. Three popular AI systems, ChatGPT-4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, are integrated. This may be helpful in some areas, but in others, many a German customer may wonder when the responsible parties last looked at the structure of the target group. The MBUX Virtual Assistant, an avatar on the user interface with dynamic colors and animations, is intended to create a "strengthened emotional bond." Those who are now smiling should realize that a large proportion of S-Classes are sold in Asia. And there is a definite chance that customers there will appreciate such things. Here at home, it will almost certainly be switchable.

Heated Seatbelts

At least Mercedes is backing down a little after harsh criticism of the steering wheel itself. Not all touch surfaces have disappeared, but some have. Their usefulness in everyday life is rated higher than that of seatbelts heated up to 44 degrees, which have been added to the offering. This means that virtually all contact surfaces are now climate-controlled. The expansion of the retrofittable app offering seems more practical. There are said to be more than 40, and the offering is growing, Mercedes promises. This includes, for example, a future rim protection warning that helps to avoid expensive scratches. All sorts of assistants are intended to help with parking and unparking, which will certainly be gladly used.

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S-Klasse Modellpflege Teil 2 (5 Bilder)

The Powertrains

The engine lineup includes a new V8, four V6s, and two plug-in hybrids. With the exception of the less powerful of the two PHEVs, all have all-wheel drive. There is apparently a V12 only for the armored version. The standard range is as follows:

	Power in kW	Torque in Nm	Consumption WLTP
Six-cylinder gasoline engine
S 450 4matic	280	n.a.	8.2 to 9
S 500 4matic	330	600 (640 in overboost)	8.3 to 9.1
Eight-cylinder gasoline engine
S 500 4matic	330	n.a.	8.3 to 9.1
S 580 4matic	395	750	10.6 to 11.3
Six-cylinder diesel
S 350d 4matic	230	n.a.	6.2 to 6.9
S 450d 4matic	270	n.a.	6.3 to 6.9
Plug-in hybrids
S 450e	240	n.a.	-
S 580e 4matic	430	750	-

The consumption figures refer to the long-wheelbase version.

The least expensive model will be the S 350 d, for which Mercedes is asking 121,356 euros and twenty cents. Unusually, Mercedes is already making a first leasing offer in the press kit. If you factor in approximately what VW wants for the base model of the ID.Polo, i.e., around 25,000 euros, as a down payment in the calculation and drive a total of no more than 45,000 km over three years, it will cost 1020 euros – provided you order the S 350 d without a single extra. The S-Class remains true to itself in this regard as well. It has never been a model for the masses, and Mercedes can only hope that customers will accept an internal combustion engine in this segment for a few more years. Because even in this class, customers increasingly want to drive electrically.

(mfz)