Launch of the New Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift in Japan! Intelligent sedan packed with next-gen AI

Mercedes-Benz S-Class officially opens orders for its newly refreshed model in Japan, tearing down over 50% of its original design.

Mercedes-Benz Japan has officially announced pre-orders for the newly refreshed Mercedes-Benz S-Class, earmarking this round of updates as "the largest facelift in the history of the S-Class family." 

Key Highlights:

• MB.OS Architecture: An in-house developed operating system by Mercedes-Benz to seamlessly connect and control every vehicle module via Over-The-Air (OTA) wireless updates.
• 4th-Gen MBUX: Uniting three world-leading AI ecosystems—ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini—into a single interface.
• New Front Grille: Expanded in physical size by 20%, featuring an Illuminated Radiator Grille layout for the first time in an S-Class.
• MBUX Superscreen: Implementing a continuous digital glass panel sweeping across the dashboard, paired with a nano-level air purification system.
• Heated Seatbelts: Distributing rapid thermal warmth across the front occupants' bodies.
• Electrically Heated Catalytic Converter: An innovative emissions-control solution integrated into the diesel variant to maximize immediate eco-efficiency.

By stripping down and re-engineering more than 50% of the vehicle, the brand aims to completely transition its flagship super-luxury sedan into a full-fledged Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV). The lineup makes its market debut with a diesel mild-hybrid powertrain, before the flagship twin-turbo V8 petrol variant follows later this year.

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Exterior

Exterior Design: The Stately Silhouette

The exterior silhouette of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been refreshed to look more commanding and stately. The newly designed front grille is expanded by 20% compared to its predecessor, shifting its chrome horizontal louvers from three rows to four rows, seamlessly integrated with a diamond pattern mesh and the signature three-pointed star. It highlights an "Illuminated Radiator Grille" setup for the first time, accompanied by intelligent star-shaped LED headlight componentry.

• Side Profile: Upgraded with a next-generation Brand Logo Projector beneath the side mirrors, projecting the text "Mercedes-Benz" onto the ground for enhanced convenience and luxury.
• Rear Section: Re-engineered with a brand-new rear taillight assembly featuring a graphic array of three distinct star emblems on each side, enclosed in a chrome frame and intersected by a dual-section chrome strip across the trunk lid.

MBUX Superscreen

First-Class Interior

The interior cabin has undergone a complete overhaul across the dashboard, door panels, and center console to perfectly bridge premium luxury with the digital era:

• MBUX Superscreen: Comprises a 14.4-inch central infotainment touchscreen and a 12.3-inch front passenger entertainment display, floating elegantly above the sculpted console graphics.
• Nano Air Purification: Features Digital Vent Control working in tandem with the Energizing Air Control processor and a high-efficiency electrostatic air filter. The setup can capture dust particles up to 1,200 times smaller than a grain of salt, completely recirculating fresh air throughout the cabin every 90 seconds.
• Materials and Trims: The center console adopts open-pore walnut wood finished in an amber brown herringbone pinstripe motif, alongside the debut of an all-new interior color scheme: “Beach Brown / Black.”
• Front Heated Seatbelts: A brand-first integration of heating elements inside the front seatbelt webbing, functioning automatically in tandem with the heated seats to distribute rapid warmth to the body during cold weather.

MB.OS and AI Ecosystem

This upgraded Mercedes-Benz S-Class stands as the brand's third vehicle model, following the CLA EV and GLC, to transition onto the proprietary “MB.OS” architecture. This software acts as the central processor to control everything from Infotainment and ADAS to body control and chassis systems, supporting lifetime Over-The-Air feature additions.

Concurrently, the transition to the 4th-generation MBUX infotainment setup yields high-definition mapping based on Google Maps data, 3D MBUX Surround Navigation, and the MBUX Virtual Assistant. The ecosystem blends three world-class AI models—ChatGPT, Microsoft Bing, and Google Gemini—displaying an illuminated avatar on the Zero Layer screen to process and seamlessly interact via long, multi-step natural language voice commands with the driver.

S 450 d 4MATIC turbodiesel engine

Powertrains and Drivetrains

• S 450 d 4MATIC (Diesel Mild-Hybrid): Utilises the latest-generation inline-six turbodiesel engine block (OM 656 Evo). For the first time globally in a mass-production vehicle, it implements an Electrically Heated Catalytic Converter system. This ensures the emissions-treatment system hits optimal operational temperatures immediately upon a cold start, slashing pollutants decisively to support future emissions mandates.

• S 580 4MATIC long (V8 Petrol Mild-Hybrid): Driven by an upgraded 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine (M177 Evo), unleashing a peak power output of 395 kW (537 hp) and a massive 750 Nm of torque.

• Standard Mild-Hybrid System: All powertrains operate in tandem with a 17 kW Integrated Starter Generator (ISG) electric motor, intelligently reinforcing smooth operations and boosting low-rev torque.

Trajectory for the Thai Market

For the Thai market, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) has consistently stood as a symbol of achievement and leadership within the F-segment luxury sedan arena. Currently, the brand markets locally assembled Completely Knocked-Down (CKD) variants comprising the plug-in hybrid S 350 d Exclusive and S 580 e AMG Premium.

This monumental facelift completely morphs the vehicle into an intelligent Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) armed with cutting-edge AI. It is anticipated that Mercedes-Benz Thailand may begin retooling its domestic manufacturing plant to support this technological leap and the MB.OS architecture around 2027, completely ready to enter the battlefield and challenge its eternal rival, the BMW 7 Series.

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