Automotive
At Automotive Addicts, we’ve had our justifiable share of reservations in regards to the Mercedes EQS, an EV that, whereas technically spectacular, by no means fairly captured our creativeness. Its bulbous design and the sheer disconnect from the S-Class lineage left us wanting extra from a model that has constantly set benchmarks in luxurious. Nevertheless, current bulletins from Mercedes-Benz sign a shift that has us cautiously optimistic: the next-generation S-Class might be supplied with each inner combustion engines (ICE) and electrical drivetrains, marking the tip of the EQS as we all know it.
A Lesson from BMW
This technique mirrors what BMW has finished with its 7 Collection and i7, the place the model provides each conventional and electrical powertrains below a unified design language. It’s a transfer that appears to be working effectively for BMW, and it’s no shock that Mercedes-Benz is now following go well with. Nevertheless, Mercedes isn’t simply copying BMW’s homework; they’re placing their very own spin on the way forward for luxurious sedans.
Based on an interview with Autocar, as we found via Motor1, Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius confirmed that the longer term S-Class will are available each ICE and electrical variations. Whereas the BMW 7 Collection and i7 share the identical platform, Mercedes is taking a distinct route. The electrical S-Class might be constructed on the brand new MB.EA Giant structure, whereas the gas-powered model will use an up to date model of the present MRA platform. This divergence in platforms means that whereas each S-Class variants might share an identical design language, they are going to doubtless differ in dimensions and proportions, with the EV doubtlessly providing extra inside area because of the bespoke electrical structure.
A Farewell to the EQS
The EQS, whereas groundbreaking in lots of respects, by no means fairly hit the mark by way of design. Its departure from the traditional S-Class silhouette was a daring experiment, however one which left many, together with us, craving for the timeless magnificence that the S-Class has all the time embodied. With the EQS set to obtain a mid-cycle facelift in 2025 earlier than ultimately being phased out, Mercedes is making approach for a extra cohesive design strategy that aligns higher with its flagship sedan’s storied legacy.
Trying Forward: The S-Class and Past
The brand new S-Class, in each ICE and electrical varieties, is predicted to debut round 2030, changing the present fashions. Within the meantime, the present S-Class will obtain an intensive replace in 2026, with Mercedes reportedly spending considerably extra on this revision than on a typical facelift. This funding underscores the significance Mercedes locations on its flagship sedan, even because it transitions to an electrified future.
Apparently, Autocar hints that this technique would possibly prolong to different fashions as effectively. Simply because the S-Class may have each ICE and electrical variations, the E-Class might comply with go well with, with an electrical variant changing the EQE. This could not solely streamline Mercedes’ lineup but additionally make monetary sense by spreading growth prices throughout a number of fashions.
Challenges Forward
Regardless of these thrilling developments, 2024 has not been notably variety to Mercedes’ luxurious flagships. Gross sales of the S-Class and EQS have seen vital declines, with manufacturing right down to a single shift. Nevertheless, Mercedes appears undeterred, urgent ahead with plans to innovate and adapt to the altering automotive panorama.
As we stay up for the subsequent chapter in Mercedes-Benz’s historical past, we will’t assist however really feel a renewed sense of pleasure. The transition from the EQS to an all-electric S-Class represents not only a change in expertise however a return to the timeless design and engineering excellence that has all the time outlined the S-Class. It’s a transfer that has labored effectively for BMW, and now we have excessive hopes that Mercedes will as soon as once more set the usual for luxurious sedans—this time within the electrical age.
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