Maybach S-Class 2027: What Changes in Mercedes’ Facelift
The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class arrives with a deep facelift, offering V8, V12, and plug-in hybrid power — but in Europe, the V8 replaces the V12 entirely. U.S. pricing has yet to be announced.
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class 2027: The Facelift That Rewrites the V12 Playbook
The 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class is the deepest update the W223 generation has seen since it launched. Mercedes-Benz lists the car as a 2027 model year, with sales expected to begin in the second half of 2026 in the [United States] and Europe.
The facelift reworks more than half the S-Class’s components and arrives with a new front fascia, star-pattern headlight signatures, and the MBUX Superscreen system. It competes directly with the Bentley Flying Spur and Rolls-Royce Ghost.
As of now, Mercedes has not released official U.S. pricing for the 2027 model. Current Maybach S 680 pricing for the outgoing generation remains the closest reference point for shoppers.
Quick Specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Ultra-luxury sedan |
| Powertrain | 4.0L twin-turbo V8 mild-hybrid (S 580) / 6.0L twin-turbo V12 (S 680, select markets) / inline-six PHEV (S 580 e) |
| Horsepower | 530 hp (S 580) / 621 hp (S 680 V12) / 604 hp (S 680 V8, Europe) / 577 hp (PHEV) |
| Torque | 553 lb-ft (S 580) / 664 lb-ft (S 680 V12) / not officially disclosed (S 680 V8, Europe) |
| Transmission | 9-speed automatic (9G-Tronic) |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive (4Matic AWD) |
| 0–60 mph | Approximately 4.3 seconds |
| Top speed | Electronically limited to about 130 mph |
| Fuel economy | Not yet disclosed |
| Electric range | Up to 61 miles (PHEV version, WLTP cycle) |
| Release date | Second half of 2026 (U.S. and Europe) |
Before getting into the technical details, it’s worth understanding how Mercedes reworked the cabin — and why the V12 is no longer a given across the entire lineup.
A Body Built to Command Presence Without Chasing Sport-Sedan Looks
The body keeps the Maybach’s signature stretched proportions, now measuring roughly 216 inches long, compared to 209 inches for the long-wheelbase S-Class. Up front, the grille grows 20% larger and gets full illumination, with the Maybach name engraved across the top.
Along the sides, 20- and 21-inch wheels use a mechanism that keeps the star logo upright at all times, even while the car is moving. The headlights get internal star-shaped elements finished in a rose-gold tone.
Around back, illuminated badging on the C-pillar reinforces the Maybach identity. The overall look leans toward presence rather than visual agility — consistent with a car built primarily for chauffeur-driven use.
A Cabin Built Almost Entirely Around Rear-Seat Comfort and Screens
Materials and Front-Seat Ergonomics
The dashboard follows Maybach’s “luxury capsule” concept, with color combinations like Carmine Red/Black and Lake Green/Black. The Made to Measure program offers more than 400 interior color options and roughly 150 exterior paint finishes.
Front seats carry over the S-Class’s design language, with fishbone-pattern wood trim and high-grade leather. Nothing in the available research points to a structural ergonomic change from the outgoing generation.
Screens Everywhere, and a Back Seat Treated Like the Main Attraction
The headline tech feature is the MBUX Superscreen: a 14.4-inch center display, a 12.3-inch front-passenger screen, and a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, all running on the new MB.OS platform. In the rear, two 13.1-inch tablets mounted on the front seatbacks control entertainment and climate settings.
The Level 2 driver-assist suite, MB.Drive Assist Pro, includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, and automated parking. Trunk space, based on the standard S-Class W223, ranges from 12.2 to 18.7 cubic feet.
The cabin’s clear strength is rear-seat space and comfort, with reclining seats and dedicated climate zones. The real limitation, as several outlets have noted, is the sheer volume of screens, which cuts into the analog character still found in rivals like Bentley.
Under the Hood: Why the V12 Is No Longer a Given Across the Lineup
The international base model is the S 580, powered by a twin-turbo 4.0L V8 with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, producing 530 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque. That’s the powertrain most buyers will actually drive, paired with a 9-speed automatic and 4Matic all-wheel drive.
The S 680, long synonymous with the V12, keeps its 6.0L twin-turbo engine — 621 hp and 664 lb-ft — in the U.S. and select markets. In Europe, though, that same S 680 badge now runs a 612-hp V8 instead, with torque figures not yet disclosed.
In practice, that means European buyers pay for the range-topping trim without getting the V12 that once justified it. Both the V8 and V12 hit 60 mph in roughly 4.3 seconds, which says more about how the bigger engine is tuned for smoothness than for outright speed.
The plug-in hybrid, the S 580 e, combines a six-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a combined 577 hp, backed by a 21.96 kWh battery good for up to 61 miles of electric-only range on the WLTP cycle. Combined fuel economy figures haven’t been released for any version yet.
What It Costs to Park One in Your Garage — And Why That Matters
Official U.S. pricing for the 2027 model hasn’t been announced. As a reference point, the outgoing 2026 Maybach S 580 starts at roughly $207,150, with the S 680 at around $244,400, according to Autoblog; Car and Driver cites even higher figures, $233,500 and $270,750 respectively.
Given the added content and import costs typically baked into Maybach pricing, the 2027 refresh is likely to land above those figures once MSRP is confirmed.
Maintenance costs outside the warranty period tend to run high, driven by the complexity of the MBUX system and the Drive Assist Pro suite. Owner-reported satisfaction with maintenance costs sits around 4.2 out of 5 — solid, but still considered steep compared to mainstream luxury sedans.
No public insurance premium tables exist yet for this generation, but the car’s price point alone points to elevated premiums. Financing a vehicle in this range typically requires a larger down payment and longer terms, given how much value concentrates in the first few years of ownership.
For buyers weighing whether to order at launch, it’s worth noting that earlier Maybach generations have depreciated more steeply than comparable Rolls-Royce models. This car makes more sense as a vehicle bought to be used immediately than as one bought with resale value in mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class 2027 go on sale?
Sales are expected to begin in the second half of 2026 in the U.S. and Europe, though Mercedes hasn’t confirmed exact dates.
Does the 2027 Maybach still offer a V12?
Yes, but not across the entire lineup. In the U.S., the S 680 keeps its V12; in Europe, the same trim switches to a V8.
What’s the top speed of the Maybach S-Class?
Both the S 580 and S 680 are electronically limited to approximately 130 mph.
How much does the current Maybach S-Class cost?
The outgoing 2026 Maybach S 580 starts around $207,150, with the S 680 near $244,400 — useful reference points until 2027 pricing is confirmed.
Verdict
The 2027 Maybach S-Class is, first and foremost, an emotional purchase. Nobody buys this car for fuel economy or predictable maintenance costs.
It’s not the right choice for anyone who drives themselves daily and prioritizes agility or low running costs. This car is about rear-seat comfort, deep personalization, and status — not driving dynamics.
The fact that the V12 survives in one market and disappears in another shows that even Mercedes doesn’t treat the engine as untouchable anymore. The 2027 Maybach is luxury built on screens and cushions more than on cylinder count.
So here’s the question: is it fair for Mercedes to drop the V12 from the Maybach in Europe, or does that undercut the one thing that made this car worth the price tag?
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Por: Danniel Bittencourt
07/07/2026
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