SPIED: W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift testing

Spy-Shots of Cars – This image has been optimized for a calibrated screen with a Gamma of 2.2 and a colour temperature og 6500°K

The W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been around for some time now. Making its global debut in May 2013, the flagship of the Three-Pointed Star eventually made its presence felt in Malaysia a year after. Now, the S-Class is due for a facelift, and these spyshots reveal what to expect as part of the refreshment.

At first glance, you may notice that the changes to the exterior of the S-Class aren’t overly dramatic. The familiar front and rear bumper design is still retained, although this being merely a prototype, might not include the final list of modifications.

Nonetheless, the partially-covered headlights are a dead giveaway that they have undergone a revision. A closer look reveals that there are now three LED stripes (currently one) within the lighting cluster. Along the corners of the headlights, there are now three light points that seems to displace one of the internal lighting elements.

The design appears to take a cue from the upcoming W213 E-Class with a single main projector element featuring the German marque’s Multibeam adaptive LED headlight technology.

Diving into the cabin, the most apparent change is the steering wheel that now adopts a more conventional three-spoke design, like that on the W205 C-Class. On the current W222, the steering wheel is of a two-spoke design. The push/start engine button also appears to be new, resembling the one seen on the W213 E-Class.

Elsewhere, the dual 12.3-inch high resolution TFT screens that serves as the car’s instrument cluster and infotainment display, appears to be new, as it drops the silver border that frames it. Additionally, the buttons which separates them have been removed or relocated as well.

Beyond that, there doesn’t seem to be any other changes. However, expect updates to the car’s software systems and updated interior trim options. Similarly, powertrain options for the W222 S-Class should remain largely unchanged, save for enhancements to efficiency or power output.

As of now, there is no indication as to when the W222 Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift will make its global debut. What other changes to the S-Class do you expect or wish for?