Mercedes-Benz to preview new S-Class in three-part series

Mercedes-Benz has announced it will release a series of preview videos in the lead-up to the world premiere of its seventh-generation S-Class luxury limousine in September.

The first of its preview series – which can be found at Mercedes' media website – will be released tomorrow (July 8) and promises a comprehensive look at the W223-series S-Class’s new MBUX tablet-style infotainment unit.

We’ve seen spy shots and some sneak-peeks of the 2021 S-Class, which confirm the cabin will house a huge portrait-orientated touch-screen display that will do-away with traditional buttons, instead using touch-capacitive surfaces.

According to the marque’s head of global communications, Katja Bott, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is packed with “ground-breaking innovations and takes individual mobility in the luxury segment to a whole new level.”

Level 3 highway autonomous driving functionality will be offered, allowing the car to drive itself, but only if it gets the green-light via GPS mapping data and road conditions (and of course local legislation).

Based on the same (but significantly updated) modular rear-wheel drive platform architecture dubbed MRA, it is expected the new S-Class will be lighter than the current W222-series.

The upgraded platform will also allow for new-generation AirMatic+ active suspension that continues to use cameras to inspect road surfaces and prepare the air suspension and dampers for bumps ahead in an attempt to cosset passengers.

Active anti-roll bars will also feature, in an effort to keep the car flat (and reduce car sickness) when cornering.

The next Mercedes-Benz S-Class may ditch the entry-level ‘shorty’ and be offered exclusively as an extra-long limousine, measuring 5.3 metres in length – almost as long as a dual-cab 4x4 ute.

Under the bonnet, the new S-Class will be offered with electrified, petrol and diesel powerplants.

Engine options are tipped to include 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-petrol and 2.9-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel. Mercedes-AMG's ubiquitous bi-turbo 4.0-litre V8 is also expected in the AMG 63 variant.

The current model’s powerful AMG V12 has been killed off due to emissions regulations.

From launch, Benz is tipped to offer full plug-in hybrid versions of the new S-Class with bigger lithium-ion batteries rumoured to offer up to 100km of pure-electric driving range.

There will be an EV version of the S-Class but it will look considerably different and will be based on Benz' dedicated modular electric architecture (MEA) platform. It will also get a different name, Mercedes-Benz EQS, and there will even be a 450kW-plus Mercedes-AMG EQS EV with extra muscle.

Full details on the German manufacturer’s new flagship sedan will be revealed when it makes its global debut in September.