Mercedes S-Klasse: Traditionelle Verbrenner bleiben bis in die 2030er, elektrische Revolution in Sicht

The Mercedes S-Class is set to maintain its traditional engines for an extended period

An electric version of the S-Class is on the horizon, yet the existing petrol and diesel engines will remain in use well into the 2030s

In 2026, Mercedes plans to update the current S-Class series. Earlier this year, CEO Ola Källenius disclosed that the high-end brand has invested significantly more into the enhancement of the new S-Class with internal combustion engines than it typically allocates for a model refresh.

Fans of classic vehicles will be pleased to know that the upcoming model of Stuttgart's premier car will still feature traditional powertrains. In a discussion with Autocar, a British publication, the head of Mercedes revealed the dual strategy for the S-Class line. He confirmed that an electric counterpart is in the works to take over from the somewhat oddly named EQS.

Photo Gallery: Mercedes-Benz S-Class (2024 Model Year)

The gasoline-powered version will continue to be a long-term offering, utilizing a foundational platform designed specifically for combustion engine vehicles. However, despite sharing a name, the electric vehicle (EV) version will not be a direct counterpart as it is expected to be built on a unique structural design.

Kallenius stated that the company's flagship vehicle is "the car with the best packaging in the world," and that forcing both the combustion engine and EV versions onto the same platform would be a compromise that Mercedes is not willing to make.

Integrating a gasoline engine into the electric S-Class model would require sacrificing space within its spacious interior, a compromise that customers are likely to find unacceptable. Conversely, this approach is also impractical as it would require engineers to compromise on the vehicle's design and packaging.

Image Gallery: Mercedes Electric S-Class (2030), Motor1.com Illustrations

The company's CEO acknowledged that maintaining a range of S-Class models will be a pricey endeavor. However, Mercedes intends to manage the additional financial requirements at a manageable level. How will they achieve this? By sharing as many components as possible between their petrol and electric vehicles to minimize development costs. It's worth noting that their arch-competitor BMW adopts a contrasting approach, utilizing the same CLAR foundational elements in both their 7 Series and i7 models.

The automotive brand has proactively adapted its combustion engines to meet the forthcoming Euro 7 standards. Meanwhile, it remains one of the rare car manufacturers still featuring V12 engines in its lineup, unlike its competitor BMW. Within the luxury sedan category, both Bentley and Audi have discontinued their W12 engines. Rolls-Royce is set to join this trend by retiring its venerable V12 from the previous 7 series by the end of the decade.

Since the present S-Class model is due for a makeover in a few years, it's expected that the W223 will be retired closer to the end of this decade. It stands to reason that the subsequent model, the W224, will likely be available with gasoline (and possibly diesel) engines well into the late 2030s.

Källenius predicts a golden decade ahead for Mercedes buyers due to the diverse range of combustion engine and electric models. Similarly, BMW has no plans to discontinue the petrol-powered 7 Series, as it's expected to exist harmoniously alongside the i7.

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Unlike Mercedes, which has ambitiously aimed to go fully electric by 2030, contingent on market conditions, BMW has not made such pledges. The firm is aiming for a 50 percent share by decade's end but acknowledges that consumer preferences will play a significant role.

Source: Autocar

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