S-Class (W223) Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W223) Facelift

[Uygar]

The Real G is quite a challenge to beat

Same. I’m just speculating though, we’ll see how it performs.

 

[SilverArrow_]

I hope the W/V224 looks something like that.
Found this on the internet.

 

[Swissbob]

I don’t think the convertible will be as popular as the regular G tbh.

I agree, it’ll depend what it’ll cost.

10% convertible of the production is already very optimistic.

 

[Swissbob]

The Real G is quite a challenge to beat

Which already has a very useful sunroof. I open mine very often.

 

[Swissbob]

Why do you think so?

Chinese people don’t like convertibles I guess because of the smog in the cities.

 

[Uygar]

I hope the W/V224 looks something like that.
Found this on the internet.

That red one is fire. The grille could be a bit smaller though.

 

[Dopebouy]

The W224 should come out looking like this. Someone better tell Bastian Baudy on a daily to never let it flop, Can’t mess up another S-class.

The W224 should just look like this in a 4-door format

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I hope the W/V224 looks something like that.
Found this on the internet.

I'd be running to the dealership if the overall design theme and proportions came out anything like these.

 

[sako97]

@Mr. Mercedes @Mick Briesgau - curious what are you guys are thinking when it comes to replacing your current examples? Frankly I will likely throw in the towel with this FL, with it’s 7 year old interior. The lighting bling on the outside takes away from what the S always stood for - an understated tour-de-force.

The fact that the used car market is flooded with sub $35k EQ’s that nobody wants with the same dash layout completely dilutes the S from being the flagship models, making it a parts bin special.

 

[lukeswiss]

They were clearly running out of ideas, so didn't even bother to design something completely new for the S-Class. Just bunch of old stuff, both exterior and interior-wise.
All those aside, I'm definitely warming up to the non-AMG model's front design. And that's pretty much the only thing I like about the facelift, sigh.

From what I understand, the design was frozen a long time ago, software issues were what held this car up. It’s been ready for ages. To be fair, I don’t think we’ve ever expected so much of a facelift.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

@Mr. Mercedes @Mick Briesgau - curious what are you guys are thinking when it comes to replacing your current examples? Frankly I will likely throw in the towel with this FL, with it’s 7 year old interior. The lighting bling on the outside takes away from what the S always stood for - an understated tour-de-force.

The fact that the used car market is flooded with sub $35k EQ’s that nobody wants with the same dash layout completely dilutes the S from being the flagship models, making it a parts bin special.

My dad isn’t well, and this will likely be his last S. I’ve been driving it mostly since August to keep the kilometres off the 911.

If he were well, he still wouldn’t need to upgrade as the W223 S450 already does everything he wants. The S450 will stay for now, and I’ve placed an EOI for another 911 to replace the GTS as my daily. If I don’t get an allocation, I might consider another S450 if the performance upgrades feel worthwhile, or even an S63 depending on how those drivetrains turn out.

I do have issues with the facelifted S. The pre‑FL lacked presence according to some, but its execution and detailing were flawless. The FL introduces some poorly resolved elements such as the rear lights which appear incongruous with the angular grill and shut lines that remain crisp and sharp from the pre FL. The inner shape of the headlight and its interface with the moulded black grill surround, leading into the angular grill, is also poor.

Even so, I still prefer it to the W221. Aside from the full‑width screen, which I don’t mind as the S has always pushed tech boundaries, and the seat‑control housings, it seems to match the W222 in build quality, even if many buyers prefer the W222’s more traditional detailing. I don’t. I like the modern interpretations of classic design elements that the W223 brings.

With improvements in tech, chassis, drivetrains, materials, and finishes, the S feels fresh enough, and attractive enough, to prefer it over anything else in the class. I don’t enjoy driving SUVs, even as family cars, and would always rather a beautiful saloon or coupe. Since Mercedes no longer offers a true luxury coupe, the S remains a sublime car to have available.

 

[martinbo]

My dad isn’t well, and this will likely be his last S

I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

 

[Rolf]

I don’t see any new ideas there at all. They could’ve done something new and fresh while still maintaining the EQ look on the regular models, but instead they just copy pasted the whole front end. That’s very lazy to me.

I was really hoping after the launch of the GLC and also the Vision with the new grill design they would bring some of these changes to the S-class FL, but seeing the leaked images of the grill and headlights with similar style to the E-class was a big anticlimax. Nothing fresh with the grill design.

 

[kiki voinea]

Especially in the USA.

I don’t think Chinese will love it.

About China.... How will S class sell in China , given the fact that starting next year , the new law that mandates that every car will have a manual opening door ?

My dad isn’t well, and this will likely be his last S

Sincere blessings to your father ! May he outlive even the next gen

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I’m so sorry to hear this. My thoughts go out to you and your family.

Thank you Martin.

He's ok at the moment, and God willing stays this way for some time.

His eyes lit up when I showed him the new S. Lol

Guess even some of the oldies still recognise the king.

 

[lukeswiss]

About China.... How will S class sell in China , given the fact that starting next year , the new law that mandates that every car will have a manual opening door ?




Sincere blessings to your father ! May he outlive even the next gen

They already have a model available with regular door handles, it's always been around.

 

[Design FIRST]

Especially the image in the middle, the elevated rear 3/4 view, grabs me. Certainly evolutionary-but in a "good way". The surfacing is extremely smooth yet muscular, the lines unobstructed and fluid. Part of the ingredients that result in timelessness.

As for the grill/shield: A wee bit less, especially pertaining to height, could be more. I really like the headlamp units and the front apron intakes. A fan of the rear lightband as well.

I wonder how M-B will approach the envogue "doorhandle issue". Winglets ? In any case, hopefully a solution that does not obstruct the flow of the design.

 

[Mick Briesgau]

@Mr. Mercedes @Mick Briesgau - curious what are you guys are thinking when it comes to replacing your current examples? Frankly I will likely throw in the towel with this FL, with it’s 7 year old interior. The lighting bling on the outside takes away from what the S always stood for - an understated tour-de-force.

The fact that the used car market is flooded with sub $35k EQ’s that nobody wants with the same dash layout completely dilutes the S from being the flagship models, making it a parts bin special.

In addition to what I wrote in post # 1,937

I'm more the understated elegance type of S driver. Comparing the pre-FL to the FL in this respect, I prefer the exterior design of the pre-FL. Especially the front of the AMG-line, the lower bumper air intakes, are a bit too much for me. I've got no issues with the front and rear lights or stars in the grill. Looking at the interior, I really like the amber brown mat wood on the middle console. The superscreen isn't quite my taste and I think that part of the interior is going to age fast.

My W223 is one of the best S classes I've owned and driven. I've had non technical issues so far (> 180,000 km) and the quality of the interior is much better than I thought it would be at the beginning. It's holding up really well. I still like it's crisp exterior very much. I agree with @Mr. Mercedes that W223 matches the W222 in build quality, if not even surpassing it. Bottom line and after driving it for a while now, I think the W223 is quite underestimated. Now, offers the FL enough to buy it and let my current pre FL go? No, I'll be waiting for the next generation W224.

@Mr. Mercedes I hope, giving the circumstances, your dad's keeping well.

 

[klier]

I hope the W/V224 looks something like that.
Found this on the internet.

Can people for the love of all things holy stop posting AI slop!!!!!

It's so tiresome.

 

[SKY]

I was messing around with the configurator and realized how similar, if not the same, these 2 look.
Lower bumper intakes are pretty much identical, and same can be said for the line flow as well.

And if you add a grille to the EQS SUV… You end up with the new S-Class!

I have said it for a long time now. The EQ line up has been a cancer for MB. It's fugliness spreading across the line up like a virus.