The Mercedes-Benz S-Class, spotted ahead of the 2026 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, is a refined version of an already iconic car: more than 50% of its components have been newly developed or optimized, making this considerably more than a visual refresh.
For Pakistani buyers tracking the flagship luxury sedan segment, this update raises the bar and puts pressure on rivals like the BMW 7 Series.
The First Mercedes S-Class With An Illuminated Grille
The most immediate change is an illuminated grille, a first for the S-Class. The radiator grille has grown by approximately 20%, now featuring four horizontal chrome slats and a glow-effect for the standing Three-Pointed Star on the hood.
Headlights carry a new ‘Double Star’ motif, matched at the rear by three star-shaped elements per side. Overall length grows by 14 mm to 5,304 mm, a measured stretch that deepens the car’s executive proportions without altering its essential form.
Read More: 2027 Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV Revealed – PakWheels Blog
Powertrain: Refined, Not Replaced
Mercedes-Benz has held firm on internal combustion for this cycle. Both engines receive meaningful upgrades:
S 580 (V8)
The M177 Evo produces 395 kW (approximately 530 hp) with 750 Nm of peak torque.
S 450 / S 500 (Inline-Six)
The M256 Evo delivers 600 Nm as standard, with an overboost function that pushes output to 640 Nm.
No hybrid or fully electric powertrain has been announced for this facelift. The EQS remains a separate model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup and is not a variant of the W223.
The Suspension That Reads the Road
The AIRMATIC and E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL systems gain a patented Road Surface Memory function. Using Car-to-X cloud data transmitted from other vehicles ahead, the S-Class pre-empts upcoming surface irregularities and adjusts damping in real time, before the wheels make contact.
Few rivals match this level of predictive suspension control.
What This Means for Pakistan
The Mercedes-Benz S-Class currently holds the top position in Pakistan’s ultra-luxury sedan segment. No official launch timeline for the facelifted model has been confirmed.
Given typical CBU import cycles, a local arrival before late 2027 is unlikely.*
When the facelifted S-Class does arrive, expect a significant price premium over the current model. The existing W223 S-Class retails in Pakistan between approximately PKR 15–25 crore, imported as a CBU (completely built-up unit).CBU luxury vehicles attract import duties of over 100% in Pakistan, which accounts for the considerable gap between international and local retail prices.
*PakWheels editorial estimate; no official timeline confirmed.
Quick Comparison: Mercedes-Benz Facelift VS BMW 7 Series
In Pakistan’s ultra-luxury sedan segment, the BMW 7 Series remains its closest rival. Here is how the two compare on the specifications that matter most to local buyers.
| Feature | Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223 Facelift) | BMW 7 Series (G70) |
| Top Engine Output | Approx. 530 hp (V8, S 580) | Approx. 536 hp (V8, 760i) |
| Peak Torque | 750 Nm | 750 Nm |
| Length | 5,304 mm | 5,391 mm |
| Key Tech | Road Surface Memory, MB.OS | BMW iDrive 8.5, Active Road Preview |
| EV Option | EQS (separate model) | BMW i7 (available) |
*Note: The facelift of the BMW 7 Series is expected to launch soon on the 22nd April at Beijing; stay tuned for an in-depth comparison.
Looking Ahead
The W223 facelift confirms that Mercedes-Benz is in no rush to abandon internal combustion at the top of its lineup, and with upgrades this substantive, it does not need to. For Pakistani buyers, the wait for an official launch announcement is the only real obstacle.
Until then, the facelifted S-Class remains what it has always been: the car every luxury sedan is measured against.
The PakWheels team is on the ground at Auto Beijing 2026 and will bring you live updates, first looks, and major reveals directly from the show floor. Follow PakWheels and stay tuned for full event coverage.
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