S-Class (W223/V223/Z223) Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) Facelift

[klier]

There aint no way this is real right???

What the hell is that new grille.

 

[PINHEAD]

It is fake. Look, how that black curtain seems in the drivers side window. Fake.

 

[Uygar]

It is fake. Look, how that black curtain seems in the drivers side window. Fake.

I’ll have what you’re having cause clearly it’s strong af.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

I think everyone needs to just chill.
People acting like this facelift is apocalyptic. Jesus Christ, get a grip.

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

In black with chrome details. Now it looks much better.
View attachment 890394

There we go.
They'll probably have a blacked out "night package" and the classic chrome pack, like they do with every car these days. The latter looks really good I think. Much better than the pre-facelift imo. Just looks that little bit more substantial and planted.

 

[Uygar]

There we go.
They'll probably have a blacked out "night package" and the classic chrome pack, like they do with every car these days. The latter looks really good I think. Much better than the pre-facelift imo. Just looks that little bit more substantial and planted.

Had to delete that one cause I posted the wrong image, this is the fixed one. Lol. And yes I totally agree, looks much better with chrome details and black exterior.

 

[Jacke]

Grey looks sick

 

[Uygar]

Grey looks sick

No for me. Chrome is the way to go. It always suits these type of vehicles. Looks much better without that stupid black surround though.

 

[Swissbob]

Had to delete that one cause I posted the wrong image, this is the fixed one. Lol. And yes I totally agree, looks much better with chrome details and black exterior.

This looks really good

 

[Esp5]

Had to delete that one cause I posted the wrong image, this is the fixed one. Lol. And yes I totally agree, looks much better with chrome details and black exterior.

Did you do that?

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

Did you do that?

Gemini NanoBanana, so some AI Prompting.

 

[empower77]

Lord that front is tragic

 

[GTA45E]

Uploaded the photo to Grok to see if it "knows" or can analyze if this photo is real or not.

The photo you shared is a real-life image of the updated Mercedes-Benz S-Class (model year 2027, a major mid-cycle refresh/facelift of the W223 generation), not an AI-generated one.

This matches official and media previews from early 2026, including a staged reveal setup with dramatic lighting and a curved backdrop (often used in auto shows or Mercedes presentations). The car features the signature elements of the refreshed design: a larger, more assertive grille (reportedly increased by about 20%), updated headlights with integrated Mercedes star motifs, a prominent front fascia with blacked-out lower sections, sleek LED lighting, and the overall silhouette and proportions of the current S-Class platform with evolutionary styling tweaks.

Key context:

• The current S-Class (W223) launched in 2020, and this 2027 refresh was heavily teased and previewed in January 2026 (e.g., a sneak peek video with CEO Ola Källenius, prototype rides, and spy shots leading to an official debut around January 29, 2026).
• Mercedes described it as one of the biggest updates in the model's history, with over 2,700 new or revised parts (more than 50% of the vehicle), new tech like MB.OS software, enhanced suspension, and lighting signatures that align with this photo.
• The label "The new S-Class" and the showroom-style presentation (dark background, arched light patterns) are consistent with Mercedes' promotional events for this update, not typical of AI renders (which often have artifacts like inconsistent reflections, unnatural shadows, or minor design inaccuracies).

AI-generated car images frequently appear in fan renders or speculative posts (e.g., on Reddit, Instagram, or autoevolution), but those usually credit artists like sugardesign_1 or show more radical changes. This photo lacks common AI tells (e.g., weird lighting inconsistencies, fused details, or overly perfect symmetry) and aligns precisely with real prototypes and official teasers from reliable sources like Car and Driver, MotorTrend, CarBuzz, and Autoblog.

If this image came from a specific post or source, feel free to share more details for further confirmation!

 

[MichiB]

No fake

Erstes wirkliches Leak: DAS ist die S-Klasse Modellpflege

Erstes Bild der Mercedes S-Klasse Facelift 2026 geleakt: Neue AMG-Line Front mit modernem Grill, LED-Leuchten, Stern-Mustern und Blinker-Design bereits in US-Version sichtbar.

mbpassion.de

 

[MichiB]

AMG Line in the US version

 

[Design FIRST]

Damn good looking rim.

 

[Design FIRST]

Had to delete that one cause I posted the wrong image, this is the fixed one. Lol. And yes I totally agree, looks much better with chrome details and black exterior.

This works IMHO.

Yes-Gemini AI. Still works though.

 

[Merc1]

What time is the reveal???

M

 

[lukeswiss]

What time is the reveal???

M

18:15 MEZ

 

[Der Hofmeister]

They did not want to mess too much with the design, but honestly, it's been almost 6 years since the W223 generation was introduced. This design, even though slightly updated, feels very old already and rather bland. The huge grille and the star-eyed headlights won't save it, for sure.

It was already time to introduce an all-new generation, as this FL W223 seems like a missed opportunity. Mercedes-Benz really needs to reinvent itself in terms of design philosophy. The Sensual Purity is simply exhausted. If the W224 (or whatever they codename the future generation of the S-Class) still carries on significant Gorden Wagener influences, it will be a complete nightmare.

While no one will ever challenge the pinnacle technology it brings everytime to the market, what is true and undeniable is that the S-Class needs a total reboot of styling identity.