W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift gains more engine options – electrified petrol inline-6, biturbo V12

During its global debut, the updated W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan was revealed with only a handful of configurations, but this has now been expanded to a total of 24 variants.

Before proceeding any further, let’s recap the existing S-Class variants available, starting with the two diesel options – S 350 d 4Matic (286 hp/600 Nm) and S 400 d 4Matic (340 hp/700 Nm) – powered by the OM656 3.0 litre inline six-cylinder turbodiesel.

Petrol options include the S 560 4Matic, which employs the new M176 4.0 litre biturbo V8 engine with 469 hp and 700 Nm of torque. Further up the line-up are the Mercedes-AMG models, starting with the S 63 4Matic+ that packs a 4.0 litre biturbo V8 with 612 hp and 900 Nm.

This is followed by the more powerful S 65 with a 6.0 litre biturbo V12 (630 hp and 1,000 Nm). Lastly, we arrive at the Mercedes-Maybach models, with the S 560 4Matic, which gets the same engine as the non-Maybach S 560 4Matic mentioned above.

Now that you’re all caught up with the current S-Class sedan range, let’s talk additions, where we find three new petrol-powered variants being added. For the regular S-Class, there is the new S 450 4Matic and S 500, both fitted with the new M256 3.0 litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine.

The new powerplant was first announced in October last year, and comes with a 49-volt integral starter/alternator that is able to provide 250 Nm of torque and 16 kW (21 hp) of output if needed. In terms of output, the engine provides 362 hp and 500 Nm on the S 450, while the S 500 has 429 hp and 520 Nm at its disposal.

According to the Mercedes-Benz, compared with the S 500 predecessor with a 4.7 litre bitrubo V8 engine, the six-cylinder-powered variants have lower CO2 emissions by around 22%.

Next up is the S 600, which is the range-topper in the regular S-Class line-up, packing a 6.0 litre biturbo V12 with 523 hp and 830 Nm. The final addition here is the Mercedes-Maybach S 650, also with the same V12 as the S 600, but serves up more power with 621 hp and 1,000 Nm of torque.

Models with ‘4Matic’ in its name are equipped with the brand’s proprietary all-wheel drive system, while it is rear-wheel drive for those without the badge. Furthermore, all Mercedes-Maybach versions come with an extra-long wheelbase (X222), and Mercedes-AMG models are only available with in long wheelbase, along with S 600.

Meanwhile, the rest of the S-Class range (S 350 d 4Matic, S 400 d 4Matic, S 450 Matic, S 500, S 560 4Matic) can be had in either short- (W222) or long-wheelbase (V222) versions.

Mercedes-Benz also revealed the S 600, Mercedes-Maybach S 650 and Mercedes-AMG S 65 will come as standard with the Magic Body Control suspension system. The active system is also available as an option for the S 560 (short or long wheelbase) and for the Mercedes-Maybach S 560.

2018 Mercedes-AMG S 63 4Matic+

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