Mercedes-Benz · 2020–present

Mercedes-Benz type 223

The Mercedes-Benz W223 is the seventh generation of the S‑Class full-size luxury sedan, produced by Mercedes-Benz since 2020. It replaces the W222 S‑Class which had been produced since 2013.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

All Mercedes-Benz type 223 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Design

The W223 S-Class is based on the second-generation Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform and uses a four-link front suspension and multi-link independent rear suspension. Air suspension is standard and can automatically lower by 20 mm (0.79 in) at 160 km/h (99 mph) to increase stability. Compared to the previous generation W222 S-Class, rear headroom has increased by 16 mm (0.63 in) and rear legroom has increased by 41 mm (1.6 in). Boot capacity has increased by 20 litres (0.71 cu ft) to 550 litres (19 cu ft). The W223 directs heat from the engine to the wheel arches and underbody to improve airflow and has a drag coefficient of 0.22. At the launch, Mercedes-Benz announced that its V12 engine would be exclusive to Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC and that no coupé or convertible version of S-Class would be produced. At IAA 2021 in Munich, Mercedes-Benz revised its position to add the V12 engine to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, S 680 Guard 4MATIC, ending the Mercedes-Maybach's exclusive use of V12 engine.

Equipment

The W223 uses the second-generation Mercedes Benz User Experience (MBUX) infotainment system. It features a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 12.8-inch OLED centre infotainment system with haptic feedback. The MBUX system features over-the-air software update support, automatic driver profile selection via voice or fingerprint recognition, and a virtual assistant which activates by saying "Hey Mercedes". The assistant can be controlled by the rear seat passengers and can also control smart home appliances. The car can automatically close the windows and sunroof and recirculate air as it approaches a tunnel or detects poor air quality. Interior cameras can detect driver movements as to automatically lower the rear sunblinds if the driver looks back or switch on the interior light if the driver reaches towards the glovebox. The cameras can detect if a child seat has been installed but the seat belt has not been buckled. The car features 22 cameras and radar sensors for the adaptive cruise control, automatic steering, lane departure warning, emergency braking, and traffic sign recognition. Radar sensors can predict oncoming side collisions and raise the suspension by 8 cm (3.1 in) to direct the crash force towards the doorsills. A SAE Level 3 semi-autonomous driving system is available in Germany since the second half of 2021. Optional equipment includes rear-axle steering, rear-seat airbags, and a head-up-display with augmented reality for navigation directions. The headlights can project symbols on the road to warn the driver of incoming obstacles, such as roadworks, pedestrians, and traffic lights or warning signs. The rear-wheel-steering system for reducing the turning radius is optional at extra cost. The turning angle can be set at 4.5° or 10°, reducing the turning

Models

=== Mercedes-Benz === The engine range from W222 is carried over to W223 with inline six, V8, and V12. For the first time, the V12 engine is fitted with 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system and is exclusive to S 680 Guard 4MATIC. The 4MATIC system is standard equipment for most of S-Class models with exception of S 450 e. S 350 d and S 580 e can be ordered with 4MATIC system as extra-cost option. All models except S 680 Guard 4MATIC are offered in both standard and long wheelbases. Mercedes-Benz S 680 Guard 4MATIC. On 28 July 2021, Mercedes-Benz announced the new armoured S 680 Guard 4MATIC. The S 680 Guard 4MATIC has VPAM VR10 armour level. Due to its higher mass, the top speed limit is reduced to 190 km/h (118 mph). Mercedes-Maybach. The Z223 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class was revealed on 19 November 2020 with model designations S 580 4MATIC and S 680 4MATIC. The Mercedes-Maybach is 18 centimetres longer than the predecessor. Several design cues, separating the Mercedes-Maybach from Mercedes-Benz, are carried over. Another first for Mercedes-Benz is the frontal airbags for the rear passengers. Available engines are a 3-litre six-cylinder inline petrol for S 580 e 4MATIC, 4-litre biturbo V8 for the S 580 4MATIC, and a 6-litre biturbo V12 for the S 680 4MATIC. Both are fitted with standard 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. Exclusive to the Chinese market, an S 480 4MATIC with 3-litre six-cylinder inline petrol engine is offered due to the high taxation on engine displacement. In Germany Mercedes-Maybach announced the launch date of May 2021 for ordering and the delivery date of July 2021. Mercedes-Benz launched the S 580 4MATIC and the S 680 4MATIC in India on 3 March 2022. The S 580 4MATIC is assembled at Mercedes-Benz manufacturing plant in Chakan, Pune. Mercedes-Maybach S 580 e. Th

Technical data

=== Engines === The engines are carried over from previous generation of S-Class (W222) with two petrol and diesel six-cylinder inline engines at launch. Mercedes-Benz launched the models with V8 and V12 engines in May 2021. A first for a Mercedes-Benz passenger car, the V12 is fitted with the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system. No diesel PHEV models have been introduced (as of November 2023). Transmission. At launch, all models are fitted with the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. The new AMG S 63 E Performance is also fitted with an additional 2-speed transmission specifically for the electric motor. Dimensions. The S-Class is offered in both standard and long wheelbases for most of the markets. In certain markets such as United States, China, Russia, and Turkey, the S-Class are sold in long wheelbase version only. In China, the S-Class have "L" suffix badge while the German and international markets do not.

W223 facelift (2026)

A mid-cycle refresh for the seventh generation S-Class debuted on January 29, 2026. More than 2,700 parts (50% of the entire car) were either newly developed or re-engineered, making this the most comprehensive S-Class refresh within a single generation. Production on the standard model began in March 2026, with the Maybach following in April 2026 The front end features a larger illuminated front grille with three-pointed stars forming slats. Similar to the W214 E-Class, the grille is connected to the redesigned headlights, which feature two stars each as the daytime running lights. Additionally, this is the first Mercedes-Benz to feature an illuminated three-pointed star on the hood. The taillights were redesigned, with each module housing three star-shaped lighting elements. There are a range of new wheel design options, one of which is a Manafaktur-exclusive high-pressure cast 20-inch wheels featuring 50 cross spokes. The interior was also comprehensively updated, with a watercooled supercomputer running on MB.OS which handles all interior electronics, such as the MBUX Superscreen. According to Mercedes-Benz, the Superscreen was preferred over the Hyperscreen to provide a better viewing angle for the driver display, which is separated and more upright, while setting the main displays further back for increased ergonomics. In the rear, two fully detachable MBUX remotes are featured in the rear centre console. For the first time, native apps such as Disney+ and YouTube are offered directly through the MBUX system through the two 13.1-inch displays mounted on the seat backs. Additionally, heated seatbelts are available in all four seats. The facelift model is launched in India on 15 Jun 2026, for the first time in plug-in hybrid (S 450e) variant - pushing 435hp, 680Nm,

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Specifications

name: Mercedes-Benz S (W223)
Manufacturer: Daimler AG (2020–2022), Mercedes-Benz Group (2022–present)
Production: 2020–present
Assembly: Germany: Sindelfingen, India: Pune (MBI), Indonesia: Bogor (MBI), Malaysia: Pekan (HICOM), Thailand: Samut Prakan (TAAP)
Class: Full-size luxury car (F)
Body style: 4-door sedan
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive (4MATIC)
Platform: MRA2
Related: Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206)
Engine: Petrol:, 2.5 L M256 turbo I6 (China), 3.0 L M256 turbo I6, 4.0 L M176 twin-turbo V8, 6.0 L M279 twin-turbo V12, Petrol plug-in hybrid:, 3.0 L M256 turbo I6, 4.0 L M176 twin-turbo V8, 4.0 L M177 twin-turbo V8, Diesel:, 2.9 L OM656 turbo I6
Transmission: 9-speed 9G-Tronic/9G-Tronic plug-in-hybrid automatic
Battery: Up to 29 kWh high-voltage lithium ion
Electric range: 100 km
Wheelbase: 3106 mm (W223), 3216 mm (V223), 3396 mm (Z223)
Length: 5179 mm (W223), 5289 mm (V223), 5460 mm (Z223)
Width: 1954 mm
Height: 1503 mm
Kerb weight: 1995–2350 kg
Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W222)
Model years: 2021–present
Designer: Balázs Filczer