Upcoming Mercedes-Benz S-Class EV Is Set To Replace The EQS Sedan

Key Highlights

• The next-generation S-Class will combine both the EQS and S-Class into one model, offering both EV and ICE powertrains.

• The new S-Class with both powertrains is set to debut in 2030.

• The EV version will use the MB.EA Large EV platform, while the ICE version will continue on an updated MRA platform.

• This move is in response to lower-than-expected EV sales and declining S-Class deliveries.

• The EQS will get a refresh in 2025, and the current S-Class will receive a mid-cycle update by 2026.

Mercedes-Benz plans to merge the next-generation EQS and S-Class into a single model to better align its gasoline and electric vehicles. The upcoming eighth-generation S-Class will continue to feature an internal combustion engine, despite earlier intentions to replace it with a new EQS model by the end of the decade.

The next-generation S-Class, launching in 2030, will offer both electric and internal combustion engine (ICE) versions, with the EQS name being dropped. According to Ola Källenius, both versions will share similar designs but will use different platforms: the electric S-Class will be built on the MB.EA Large EV platform, while the ICE version will use an updated MRA platform.

This decision to combine the EQS and S-Class models comes in response to weak sales, with S-Class deliveries down by 37% in Q1 2024. As a result, Mercedes-Benz has reduced S-Class production at its Factory 56 in Sindelfingen, Germany, where the EQS is also produced.

Mercedes-Benz initially aimed for electric vehicles to make up over 20% of its global sales in 2023 but only achieved an 11% share, even with a 73% increase in EV sales compared to 2022.

The company has pushed back its goal of reaching 50% EV sales from 2025 to 2030 and delayed its plan to become an all-electric brand by 2030. Instead, Mercedes-Benz will continue investing in electrification while extending the lifespan of key internal combustion engine models to meet emissions standards by 2030.

The new S-Class EV will debut alongside the next-generation S-Class in 2030. In the meantime, the EQS will receive a refresh in 2025, and the current W223 S-Class will get a mid-cycle update by 2026.

Verdict

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class will unify the EQS and S-Class models, offering both electric and internal combustion engine options by 2030. This strategic decision reflects the company's adaptation to slower-than-expected EV adoption and aims to balance their electrification goals with continued demand for traditional powertrains.

Mercedes-Benz remains committed to evolving its lineup, with upcoming updates to the EQS and S-Class models ensuring they stay competitive while transitioning towards a more electric future.

Also Read: Mercedes C-Class And GLC-Class EVs Will Debut Globally In 2026