Ladies and gents, allow us to introduce you to the next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class via the most revealing scoops yet.
These images show a prototype with barely any camouflage tape on, in what seems to be a scrap yard. Shared on Twitter by Ray Chen, the pictures reveal the evolutionary front end sporting a slightly bigger grille flanked by slimmer headlights.
At the back, it sports new horizontal taillights with a chrome strip that spans above them from fender to fender, new boot lid and redesigned bumper which in this case incorporates a couple of exhaust pipes – or is that fake trim?
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Inside is where the real revolution takes place, as everything has been redesigned. The dashboard panel sports a two-layer look, with the upper part incorporating the central air vents, which are now positioned above the new infotainment screen, rather than beneath it. The latter occupies a huge chunk of the dash and has a strong Tesla feel to it. Given that the number of buttons has been trimmed, the display will probably be used to control most functions of the car.
To the left, we can see the push-button start, next to the digital instrument cluster. Behind it, there is some sort of a cutout that could have something to do with the head up display system, while in front of the secondary screen lies the redesigned steering wheel with a big three-pointed star logo in the middle and several buttons on each side. The aluminum inserts scattered throughout the cabin give the new S-Class a more modern feel, and everything else will be bathed in fine leather.
Based on the MRA II platform, the firm’s flagship sedan is understood to be a bit bigger than its predecessor. It should also feature Level 3 autonomous driving where the law allows it, as well as active suspension and perhaps rear-wheel steering. The engine lineup will be revised, and while the V12 will be kept at the upper end, we should expect some sort of electrification, with mild-hybrid and/or plug-in hybrid powertrains.
The 2021 S-Class is believed to launch in September in Europe and deliveries should commence two months later, which probably means that it will be unveiled this summer.
H/T to Ray Chen for the photos!
