New Car Preview: 2027 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Refresh Brings Up the Lights, Adds AI and a More Powerful V8: ArticleSubmission.news

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Mercedes-Benz is giving the current S-Class a serious mid-cycle refresh for 2027, and the bad thing is that you might not really notice it until the sun goes down. Most of the sheetmetal has been carried over, but Mercedes says more than half of the car’s components are new or revised, giving the feeling that this is an entirely new concept rather than a casual facelift.

At night, the updated S-Class becomes a rolling brand statement. The headlights and taillights now feature three-pointed star lighting elements, there’s an illuminated grille that’s noticeably larger than before, and you can even optionally order a light-up hood ornament on the hood, designed so that the driver can’t see it behind the wheel. The Ultra Range high beams provide additional tricks up front and new puddle lamps project “Mercedes-Benz” onto the pavement as if the sedan were celebrating its own premiere.

The refresh really comes into its own on the inside. Mercedes finally brings its full hyperscreen layout to the S-Class, with a wide glass panel in the dashboard that integrates a 12.3-inch driver display, a 14.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch passenger display. The latest MBUX setup integrates Google-based automotive AI, and Mercedes is leaning into the idea of ​​the “assistant with personality” with animated helper options, including the quirky “LittleBenz” avatar.

The rear passengers also receive some useful upgrades. The available screens in the back grow to 13.1 inches, and integrated cameras enable video conferencing, which feels like a feature intended for anyone who treats the back seat like a rolling office suite. Mercedes also ditches the old tablet in the middle of the back in favor of remote controls, while premium audio buyers can opt for a system that supports Dolby Atmos.

Then there are the small but important quality of life improvements that S-Class owners actually notice every day. Mercedes adds digital ventilation controls that can be saved in memory settings, a revised center console with two cell phone charging pads, and a redesigned steering wheel that offers more physical controls instead of the touch-sensitive awkwardness. The comfort list gets even more over the top with heated front seatbelts, which is one of those “taken for granted” luxuries that once you get it, you’ll never want to go without it.

Powertrains also get attention, and the headline act is the V8. The S500 still features a turbocharged and electrically assisted inline-six producing 429 hp and 443 lb-ft, as well as an overboost torque increase for short bursts. The S580 comes with a revised 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 that now uses a flat-plane crankshaft and produces 530 horsepower. Torque values ​​are in the mid-range of 500 lb-ft, depending on the market and system performance specification.

If you want the electrified flex, the S580e plug-in hybrid comes back with a combined output of 576 horsepower, while the previous model’s EPA-rated electric range was 48 miles and Mercedes hasn’t yet released an official updated EPA number for the new model. Chassis technology also takes a step forward: 4.5-degree rear-wheel steering is now standard, an optional 10-degree setup is still on the menu, and new predictive iDamping uses shared road condition data to pre-adjust the suspension before you hit uneven asphalt. Expect the updated S500, S580 and S580e models to launch in the second half of 2026. Pricing will be announced shortly before launch.

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