Car and motorcycle

With the Mercedes S-Class, well-being reaches unexplored heights.

04 May 2026

Curated by Editorial Team

The profound evolution of the Stuttgart flagship combines a more polished style with significant technical and technological developments, to the benefit of an on-board experience that has never been so exclusive and engaging.

mercedes s class winteler lugano From Winteler, to Lugano The queen is back in the spotlight, even if she never actually left: we're talking, of course, about the Mercedes S-Class. Indeed, the S-Class has always been the absolute benchmark in terms of refinement, technology, and the quality of supremely distinguished four-wheeled mobility. The Mercedes flagship now reaches its most profound evolution, with over 50% of its components developed from scratch, perfectly celebrating the 140 years of innovation that separate Carl Benz's invention of the automobile in 1886 from the present day.

This icon of luxury and on-board well-being maintains its original style, remaining faithful to the most representative canons of tradition, which have evolved over time into a formal language of elegant proportions and timeless elegance. At the same time, a series of targeted enhancements give the model an even sleeker and more exclusive look: from the front grille, now 20% larger, to the new headlights with a double-star light signature, to the option of adopting new backlighting for the historic vertical Mercedes star, the symbol of the brand for over a century.

The most substantial part of the evolution, however, is concentrated under the skin, resulting in cutting-edge technologies, an even more detailed focus on customization thanks to the further expanded Manufaktur program, and the new, next-generation MB.OS human-machine interface. The on-board system is based on a true liquid-cooled "supercomputer," constantly connected to the company's Cloud, which manages a wide range of driver assistance systems: from automatic braking when approaching road signs, to assisted lane change, to proactive steering to avoid obstacles and vehicles in critical situations.

Fully autonomous driving, even in heavy traffic, is already available in markets where regulations allow it—such as China and the United States—and is ready to debut in Europe as soon as legislation allows.

On board, the fourth-generation MBUX integrates multiple artificial intelligence systems, including ChatGPT 4o, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini, creating a constantly active virtual assistant capable of interacting naturally with the driver and passengers. The Superscreen combines the 14,4-inch central display, the 12,3-inch passenger display, and the 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster with optional 3D display. Navigation uses Google Maps with 3D maps and augmented reality.

The cabin reaches new heights of refinement, luxury, and ergonomics, inspired by the "welcome home" concept to offer all occupants an experience of total comfort. An advanced climate control system with air purification makes its debut, while in the rear, depending on the configuration, individual screens expand the entertainment options thanks to major streaming platforms. For maximum protection, the Guard program also offers VR10 certification, the highest level in the civilian sector.

On the dynamic front, the new S-Class offers a wide range of sophisticated six- and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, with electrification options extending all the way to plug-in hybrid. The Airmatic air suspension, combined with all-wheel steering and E-Active Body active control, has been further evolved to ensure an even smoother, quieter ride, even more insulated from the outside world, confirming the flagship as the absolute benchmark in automotive luxury.