Next-gen Mercedes-Benz S-Class to be offered with EV and ICE powertrains – EQS to be dropped
According to a report by CarThe next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class will be offered with both internal combustion engines and fully electric powertrains, meaning the brand’s current flagship electric model, the EQS, will disappear after just one generation.
“There will be two S-Classes in the future – ICE and electric,” Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius said, telling the publication that both versions will have similar exterior and interior designs. If that approach sounds familiar, check it out now. G-Class Available with either ICE or electric powertrains.
Mercedes-Benz’s competitor, BMW, did the same with Line 7 And i7. However, while BMW uses the same platform for its flagship sedans, Mercedes-Benz is said to be going a different route. The S-Class EV is expected to be built on the upcoming MB.EA Large platform – Källenius dismissed rumors that this had been scrapped in June.
Meanwhile, the S-Class EV equivalent to ICE will be powered by a further evolved version of the current Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) used for the seventh-generation (W223) model. How similar the two versions will look with their different platforms remains to be seen, especially since EVs have unique packaging properties.
While the EQS may be going away, it will continue to receive technical upgrades until the end of its lifecycle. The EV has revised in April this year, but there will be a bigger update in the second half of 2025, which will adopt a revised Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA) platform with an 800V electrical architecture instead of the current 400V system. A new battery chemistry is also said to be part of this update to further increase range.
As for the S-Class, it will be updated in 2026, about five and a half years after the W223 debuted. Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz adjusted its strategy, aiming for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) to account for 50% of annual sales by end of 2030 (previously 2025). This adjustment follows the company’s decision to extend the life of its main petrol and diesel models, which will further promote electrification.
Car Note that the 2026 S-Class facelift is about two years behind the traditional timetable and reflects the extended cycle plan. In addition to the usual design and technology improvements, some engines, such as the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 petrol, will feature 48V mild-hybrid technology.
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