2026 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Confirmed With MBUX Hyperscreen-Style Infotainment System

MBUX Hyperscreen comprises three screens under a curved glass panel, beginning with the digital instrument cluster. The front passenger has a touchscreen of their own. Some call the Hyperscreen setup a gimmick, but according to chief technology officer Markus Schaefer, customer demand for this three-display setup is overwhelming. The same can be said about the MBUX Superscreen of the 214-series Executive Class.

Although the dashboard of the pictured Maybach is partially camouflaged, we can see that Mercedes decided to stick the push-button ignition and the button for the auto start-stop system between the steering column and the central display. A few more buttons are located just below the centerpiece of the MBUX Hyperscreen.

Mercedes also worked its magic on the design of the steering wheel. Unfortunately, touch controls are here to stay. As if the long wheelbase and the camouflaged rear-quarter badges weren't enough of a giveaway, the lower gloss-black trim piece on the steering wheel reads Maybach.

Mercedes didn’t bother camouflaging the doors but rather the front and rear ends of the car. The Maybach-specific exhaust finishers carry over. When it comes to exterior lighting, the Maybach follows in the footsteps of previously spied Benz prototypes. The starry lighting signatures for the headlights and taillights will definitely help the S-Class stand out in the crowd.

The big question is whether the fancier tech and look-at-me styling will hopefully bring more customers into showrooms. Mercedes-Benz USA reported a massive 25 percent drop in S-Class deliveries in 2024 compared to 2023. The automaker couldn't do better than 8,809 deliveries compared to 10,714 for the BMW 7 Series and i7.

For the 2026 model year facelift, Mercedes-Benz AG is expected to either cut back on V8 versions or debut more electrified V8s. The most powerful of the bunch is the AMG-specific M177 of the Mercedes-AMG S 63 E PERFORMANCE. In combination with a rear-axle electric drive unit, the plug-in hybrid powertrain churns out 791 horses and 1,055 pound-feet (1,430 Nm).

The AMG is the only S-Class from the 223 series to feature a wet starting clutch instead of a torque converter. Not only does it optimize accelerator pedal input response, but AMG's touch also resulted in a double-declutching function in Sport and Sport+ modes. Over at Maybach, the S 580 4MATIC features a mild-hybrid V8 mostly assembled by machine rather than Affalterbach's master engine builders.

At the very top of the lineup, the Mercedes-Maybach S 680 4MATIC features a somewhat archaic V12 that is assembled by hand in Affalterbach. Despite being a SOHC affair with three valves per cylinder, it puts out a tremendous 621 horsepower and 664 pound-feet (900 Nm). Given the AMG S 63's output figures and better gas mileage, it's easy to imagine the Maybach S 680 downsizing to a plug-in hybrid V8.