If you’ve been anticipating that Mercedes-Benz would replace the current EQS electric model with an electric version of the S-Class, the latest reports confirm that’s exactly the direction they’re heading.
Similar to BMW’s strategy, Mercedes intends to offer the next generation of the S-Class with both internal combustion engines and an electric variant. This decision indicates that the EQS will be phased out after its initial generation, though not before it receives a facelift. The existing S-Class is also slated for a facelift before transitioning to an all-new generation.
Official Announcement
Mercedes CEO Ola Källenius revealed this significant update during an interview with Autocar magazine: “In the future, there will be two versions of the S-Class – one with an internal combustion engine and the other electric.” Källenius further stated that both the gasoline-powered and electric versions of their flagship model would share similar designs, both inside and out.
While this approach may remind you of BMW’s current offerings, particularly with the BMW 7 Series and i7 sharing a platform, unnamed sources cited by the British magazine suggest that this won’t be the case for the S-Class. The electric and combustion versions of the S-Class are expected to be based on different platforms.
Industry Speculation
The upcoming electric S-Class, which will not have a combustion engine option, is anticipated to be built on the MB.EA Large architecture, whereas the gasoline-powered version will likely use an updated version of the existing MRA platform. In late June, Källenius dismissed rumors that the MB.EA platform had been canceled, stating that its development is progressing rapidly. In a recent press interview, he reiterated this point, emphasizing, “We are already moving forward with the MB.EA Large.” Earlier in May, some German media outlets had speculated that the next-generation EV platform had been scrapped.
Given that the electric and combustion-engine models will be built on different platforms, it seems unlikely that the Mercedes S-Class ICE and EV versions will be nearly identical, despite the success BMW has seen with the 7 Series and i7. The two models may differ in size, as electric platforms often allow engineers to extend the wheelbase while reducing the overhangs, thanks to the absence of traditional mechanical components. This often results in electric vehicles being more spacious than their combustion-engine counterparts.
Nonetheless, the upcoming S-Class variants are expected to share more similarities than the current S-Class and EQS. The EQS has been criticized for its bulky design, which many hope will be addressed once the EQS is phased out. It remains to be seen if a similar approach will be applied to the next generation of the smaller E-Class, but the EQE has also faced criticism for its aesthetics.
There’s still some time before the all-new Mercedes S-Class makes its debut. In the meantime, the EQS is set to receive a facelift in 2025, followed by an update to the current S-Class in 2026. While nothing is officially confirmed, it’s believed that the facelifted EQS will transition to an 800-volt electric architecture, enabling significantly faster charging times—potentially taking just 21 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%.
We’ll keep you updated with more official information regarding the future of the Mercedes EQS and its potential replacement by a new electric S-Class as soon as it becomes available.
