Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift Previewed Ahead of Global Reveal on Jan 29

Mercedes-Benz has offered a first look at the facelifted Mercedes-Benz S-Class through a video featuring CEO Ola Kallenius. The company confirmed that the updated model will be revealed globally on January 29. According to Mercedes-Benz, more than half of the components in the car are new or revised as part of this mid-cycle update.

The facelifted S-Class features changes to the front and rear design. The grille has been revised and now includes a three-pointed star pattern along with an LED outline. The headlamps and tail-lamps have been updated with star-shaped LED signatures. Test vehicles seen under camouflage indicate dual star-shaped daytime running lights at the front and triple star elements at the rear.

The illuminated bonnet-mounted Mercedes star, missing from recent generations, is set to return. New alloy wheel designs are also expected. While not fully visible, the front and rear bumpers are likely to be updated as part of the facelift.

Inside the cabin, the main update is the introduction of the new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS). This in-house software will manage infotainment, vehicle systems, connectivity, and over-the-air updates. Mercedes-Benz is also expected to revise interior controls, with reports pointing to the reintroduction of physical buttons for key functions.

The updated S-Class will continue to use adaptive Airmatic suspension, now paired with a new iDamping function. This system can detect road surface conditions and share data with other S-Class vehicles, allowing suspension settings to adjust in advance.

Mercedes-Benz has also confirmed that the facelifted S-Class is Level 4 autonomous-ready. Testing of this technology is already underway on public roads.

The facelifted S-Class is expected to arrive in select international markets around the third quarter of 2026. The India launch is likely in late 2026 or early 2027. Prices have not been announced yet; the current S-Class in India starts at Rs 1.78 crore (ex-showroom).

Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, said, “Only very few cars have shaped the automotive industry like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Drawing on 140 years of relentless innovation, it remains the benchmark for safety, comfort, and engineering excellence. What Carl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler began was more than a revolutionary mobility technology — it was a promise. And today, the new S-Class is proof of that.”