Any generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is essentially the single most technologically advanced automobile during its production, and that is still the case with the latest version continuing that tradition. The 2027 W224 S-Class is also comprehensively reworked — Mercedes-Benz claims about 50 percent of the car is new.
The design is evolutionary — why mess with something that is already iconic? While the headlamps and tail lamps are new, the overall silhouette is instantly recognisable, which is what the customers are known to prefer. The roofline spies into the trunk lid in a graceful arc, which suits the luxury liner just fine. There’s a larger grille, which is illuminated, as well as an illuminated hood ornament. The headlamps sport some new tech — ‘Digital Light twin-star headlight system’, which features adaptive ultra-range high beams and partial-beam technology.
The W224 S-Class packs 4MATIC AWD as standard across the entire model range and comes with many engine options, namely two diesels, three petrols, and two hybrids. These are as follows — the S 350 d and S 450 d with a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 310PS/650Nm and 367PS/750Nm, respectively; the S 450 and the S 500 with a 3.0-litre straight-six producing 381PS/560Nm and 449PS/600Nm, respectively; the S 580 with a 4.0-litre V8, which now sports a new flat-plane crankshaft, and develops 537PS/750Nm; and finally, the S 450 e and the S 580 e, pairing the straight-six with a new electric motor and with combined outputs of 435PS/680Nm and 585PS/750Nm, respectively.
Mercedes-Benz has also given the new S-Class a proper, standalone instrument cluster, and the rest of the infotainment system is now called a ‘Superscreen’ instead of the single-piece unit it was, dubbed the ‘Hyperscreen.’ There’s a mention of a supercomputer controlling all aspects of the vehicle, and the 4th generation of the MBUX system. This generation now uses AI from Google and Microsoft to enhance the communication between the vehicle’s virtual assistant, the vehicle, and its occupants (honestly, we are not sure what Mercedes-Benz means by the communication between the virtual assistant and the vehicle itself; the possible interpretations are endless).
We expect the S-Class to reach our shores later this year. It will go up against its traditional rivals, the BMW 7 Series (the Audi A8 is no longer sold in India), and will also rival the Maserati Quattroporte and Porsche Panamera, though the latter two are essentially in a different category.
