The King is back! The strongest modification in history The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is coming to China

On April 23, on the eve of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class (parameter | inquiry) will usher in a domestic debut, and the new car will also usher in a public appearance at the Mercedes-Benz booth at the Beijing Auto Show. As a mid-term model, more than 50% of the parts of the new car are newly developed or redesigned, and it also uses the latest Mercedes-Benz technology. Mercedes-Benz says it will launch more than 40 new models by 2027, including seven China-specific models. In terms of appearance, the front face of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is decorated with a new style of luminous grille, the size of which is increased by about 20% compared to the current S-Class, so the interior is decorated with four horizontal chrome-plated spokes and a 3D chrome-plated star emblem. Above the grille is still the familiar Trident logo, which for the first time is equipped with a self-luminous feature. The new S-Class will also be replaced with a new generation of digital headlights in the "double star emblem" style, which will extend the high-resolution lighting range by about 40% and reduce energy consumption by 50% through micro-LED technology and new high-performance chips. In addition, it integrates dynamic Ultra Range ultra-remote illumination, illuminating distances up to 600 meters and optimizing the illumination area by rotating the angle. The new car is also equipped with a new style of 20-inch rim and mirror housing, and intelligent driving sensors are also added at the wing board. After opening the door, you can also see the light projection device built into the side skirt panel projecting a three-pronged star emblem welcome light blanket on both sides of the body. In terms of body size, the length of the car has been increased by 14mm (long axle version), its length, width and height are 5304/1921/1503mm, and the wheelbase is 3216mm. Unexpectedly, the rear of the vehicle is equipped with a "three-pronged star emblem" taillight, and the identity symbol of the S-class is strengthened by three star emblems. The interior features a 14.4-inch central touchscreen with the latest MBUX smart human-computer interaction system, as well as a 12.3-inch instrument screen and a 12.3-inch passenger entertainment screen. There will also be a luminous cup holder in the front of the vehicle, two mobile phones for wireless charging panels, 19 adjustment motors built into the front seats, 6 massage modes such as "hot stone massage", and a heated (44°C) seat belt that can be turned on by the seat heating button. The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class rear is equipped with a "first-class seat" that supports a maximum 43.5-degree backrest adjustment and a 50-degree legrest angle. It is also equipped with a 13.1-inch display with a high-definition camera and two removable MBUX remotes. The sound side will provide a Burmester 3D surround sound system or a Burmester high-end 4D surround sound system (39 speakers) that supports Dolby Atmos. The vehicle rear entertainment system will also incorporate cutting-edge AI technology. The new high-end rear entertainment system for Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars uses a multi-modal large model VLM on the end, becoming the first car brand to apply a multi-modal large model in the rear entertainment system. In terms of driver assistance, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers 10 external cameras, 5 radar sensors, and 12 ultrasonic sensors. MB.DRIVE assisted driving is standard and supports adaptive cruising with lane centering and lane change assistance. Level MB.DRIVE assisted driving plus unlocks the intelligent parking assistance system, which for the first time supports oblique parking, supports parking assistance at a speed of 5 km/h, also supports the tracking reversing function, and in the future, the OTA can also upgrade the rim protection warning function. In the future, the new S-Class will also provide urban areas and high-speed pilot-assisted driving systems in the Chinese market. In terms of power, the new Mercedes-Benz offers gasoline, diesel and plug-in hybrid versions, with the S 450 4MATIC powered by the M 256 Evo inline six-cylinder engine and the S 580 4MATIC powered by the new M 177 Evo V8 engine, which is upgraded for the injection system, intake system, supercharged system and plane crankshaft with a new ignition sequence. In addition, the EQ Hybrid models will be equipped with a combination of six-cylinder engines and motors. It is speculated that the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will only bring a light hybrid system composed of a six-cylinder engine and a 48V motor and a plug-in hybrid system composed of a motor after the introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class in China, while the new V8 engine is expected to be installed in Maybach and AMG versions to enter the domestic market. Previously, the new Maybach S-Class sedan has been unveiled, and this time it is also on the scene. The new model will become the smartest Maybach, and the new architecture of Mercedes-Benz MB.OS will be installed on the Maybach model for the first time. The new car will have a 12-cylinder engine and a first-class experience. The core competitors of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class are still the BMW 7 Series and the Audi A8L. Shortly after, the BMW 7 series also launched a mid-term model change during this Beijing Auto Show, and its crystal interior after the 2022 replacement was well received, but the appearance was controversial; The Audi A8L was replaced in 2017, with a new model in 2022, and there is no clear replacement news (or until 2029). Both competitors have entered a period of product weakness, and the upgrading of the new S-class will further increase the advantage. With the rise of high-end Chinese brands, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class has also ushered in a new rival, with the Zunjie S800 and NiO ET9 as the benchmark models, which is both an acknowledgement of its benchmark position and a face-to-face challenge. Even if the new S class is significantly upgraded, whether it can maintain its benchmark position in the Chinese market still depends on its localized adaptation performance.