Mercedes-Benz will retire the EQS and replace it with an electric S‑Class, blending iconic luxury with cutting‑edge EV tech. Discover the future of premium sedans – read on!
Mercedes‑Benz is preparing a game‑changing shift for its flagship sedan line‑up. The all‑electric EQS, once billed as the brand’s spearhead for the electric era, will be quietly phased out in favour of a brand‑new electric S‑Class.
Why the EQS Is Being Sunsetted
Despite the hype, the EQS never hit the sales targets Mercedes set for it. Critics and buyers alike pointed to its overly rounded, “egg‑shaped” styling, which clashed with the dignified, timeless silhouette traditionally associated with the S‑Class. In the luxury market, customers still crave a classic sedan look rather than a futuristic pod.
The New Electric S‑Class Will Keep the Classic Look
According to Auto Express, the upcoming electric S‑Class will look almost identical to its internal‑combustion (ICE) sibling – a sleek, stately sedan that preserves the brand’s heritage aesthetic while hiding an entirely new electric architecture underneath.
Separate Platforms for ICE and EV Models
Mercedes confirmed that the ICE‑powered S‑Class and the electric S‑Class will be built on two distinct platforms. The electric version will sit on the new MB.EA architecture, a purpose‑built EV chassis that will host the next‑generation battery pack and motor system.
Mercedes Mirrors BMW’s Strategy
Instead of maintaining a separate electric sub‑brand (like the EQS) alongside its flagship models, Mercedes is now following BMW’s playbook: integrate electric powertrains into the core model range. The company has already tested this approach with the GLC‑EQ, an electric SUV that succeeded where the EQC struggled in the market.
Timeline and Cutting‑Edge Technology
The ICE S‑Class will receive a mid‑cycle refresh in the coming months, while the fully electric version is slated for launch with the next generation of the S‑Class, expected around 2030. The electric model, tentatively called “S‑Class with EQ Technology,” will likely feature a high‑performance axial‑flux motor from Yasa – the same compact, high‑output motor earmarked for future AMG hybrids before being rolled out across the broader EV lineup.
What This Means for Luxury Car Buyers
CEO Ola Källenius emphasised that offering both ICE and electric versions side‑by‑side is essential during the transition period: “If you don’t believe the market will be fully electric when the new S‑Class arrives, you must provide both options. This is the biggest lesson from the first generation of EVs – we need electric and ICE variants without compromise.”
When the electric S‑Class finally debuts, it will fully replace the EQS, delivering a more conventional luxury silhouette paired with advanced battery and motor technology that should outperform today’s EQ lineup.
For luxury shoppers, the shift signals that Mercedes is betting on its most iconic nameplate to lead the brand into the electric era, blending heritage design with state‑of‑the‑art EV engineering.