Final tease of next-gen Mercedes S-Class

Mercedes-Benz has released its final tease of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousine ahead of its official launch next Tuesday (September 1).

The single styling sketch of the W223's exterior features some typical artistic license from the designers, but get past that and it appears Benz's new BMW 7 Series rival will shun a radical redesign for a smoother, more elegant take on the current car's design.

Takeaway features from the design drawing include the fact the next Mercedes-Benz S-Class will come with a simpler take on its trademark grille, which looks wider and incorporates just three horizontal bars.

There's also a large full-width lower front air intake, while at the rear the design sketch suggests Mercedes designers haven't been tempted to convert the S-Class into a more rakish four-door 'coupe'.

That's because that role is already taken by the dramatic pure-electric EQS, which is also set to make its debut this year.

The German car-maker is also readying a Maybach version that will be once again closely based on the Benz limo, although some reports suggest it could have different rear-end styling to provide extra space within its more luxurious cabin.

Set to be built at Merc's all-new Factory 56, which is claimed to be the "world's most modern car production facility", the next S-Class is expected to be offered with inline six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, plus Mercedes-AMG's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.

All are expected to be electrified.

Inside, earlier previews of the production S-Class have already wowed us with the car's ground-breaking new interior design, technology and materials quality.

Set to be introduced in the the new flagship limo is the car-maker's next-gen MBUX infotainment and operating system that offers 'Hey Mercedes' voice activation from all four seats.

As well the next-gen touch-screens and infotainment, 250 LEDs will be used for the ambient lighting and there's an onboard wellness coach that keeps tabs on the driver, ensuring they're not fatigued or even stressed and adjusting the systems accordingly.

Finally, advanced comfort seats offer neck warmers, have speakers embedded in the head restraints and have six airbladders incorporated into their design to offer a relaxing or invigorating massage on the move.

Stay tune as full details, including the new S-Class itself, will be revealed on September 1.