Brutal V8 headlines 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class

Mercedes-Benz has revealed the most comprehensive facelift in S-Class history, pairing a dramatic exterior and interior redesign with deep technological changes and, for AMG versions, a motorsport-inspired flat-plane crank V8 that rewrites the luxury sedan’s character.

The heavily updated 2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class stands as a rolling farewell from long-serving design chief Gorden Wagener, whose influence on the three-pointed star brand has been significant since he joined the company in 1997.

His swansong design, the new S-Class, has a bold grille that flows into reshaped headlamps, each adorned with LED Mercedes-Benz star motifs.

An illuminated bonnet-mounted star is available, although whether it will pass (ADR) muster in Australia remains to be seen.

The headline mechanical change arrives exclusively in AMG variants via an all-new Mercedes-AMG flat-plane crank V8, replacing the brand’s traditional cross-plane layout.

This 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 deals out 395kW and 750Nm and revs to 9000rpm. And may see the next AMG C 63 retire its four-cylinder powerplant for the new V8 donk.

Benz claims the new eight-cylinder engine delivers sharp throttle response and is said to produce a raw, race-inspired soundtrack, the sort rarely associated with the S-Class nameplate.

The entry-level engine is a 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-petrol making up to 330kW and 600Nm. Perfectly adequate for wafting to the country club.

Not a petrol person? No worries. There's a 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel churning out 230kW and a chunky 650Nm of torque.

Revised plug-in hybrid options combine that six-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for up to 430kW (that's 55kW more than before, if you're counting) and 750Nm of combined twist.

The 22kWh battery delivers 93-103km of electric-only range.

Beneath the bodywork, the technological overhaul is just as significant. A completely new electrical architecture, derived from the upcoming electric CLA, reverses Mercedes-Benz tradition by filtering up into the flagship sedan rather than debuting there. 

The new infotainment system brings cleaner digital graphics, improved responsiveness and more intuitive operation across the cabin.

Cloud connectivity plays a major role in the updated driver assistance and ride systems too.

Adaptive air suspension part of the package and features a clever self-learning function that records rough road sections to the Mercedes-Benz cloud. 

When another S-Class approaches the same stretch of road, the suspension pre-adjusts its damping to improve ride comfort. Four-wheel steering is also on the menu.

Interior changes are dominated by a revised dashboard layout with larger screens, while traditional air vents are compressed into a slim, electrically controlled bar. 

Mercedes-Benz has also introduced heated seatbelts, designed to warm occupants’ torsos directly and discourage the wearing of bulky coats that can compromise seatbelt effectiveness. 

Heated seats and a heated steering wheel handle the rest.

Expect the V12 to return via the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class.

Australian pricing is yet to be announced, though increases over current models are expected given the scale of the upgrades. The current S-Class range starts at $244,700 for the S 450 and rises to $335,100 for the S 580L.

There also the 6.0-litre V12-powered S 680 Maybach for a cool $573,192.

Set to arrive in Australia from late 2026, the heavily updated German flagship limousine marks the end of a defining era for Mercedes-Benz design and serves as both a technological statement and a final flourish for Wagener.

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