Mercedes held their capital markets day presentation yesterday and announced plans to stage seven world premieres in the next three months. That’s an impressive number, especially considering the company has already introduced the facelifted S-Class and GLC 53.

The automaker didn’t delve into many specifics, but confirmed the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class debuts in March. The company added the AMG GT 4-Door arrives later this year, while the SUV variant follows in 2027. That year will also see the unveiling of the G-Class Cabriolet.

More: New Mercedes G-Class Cabrio Teased As Testing Begins

While details are light, a slide suggested Mercedes will introduce 16 vehicles this year. Six of them will be fully electric, while the others will have internal combustion engines.

Many of these will be “Top-End” vehicles, which implies we can expect a number of new S-Class variants including the aforementioned Maybach. Some of the others are presumably AMG versions.

As for the Top-End EVs, spy photographers have snapped a facelifted EQS on multiple occasions. It’s expected to feature starry lighting units, a new 800 volt electrical architecture, and an upgraded powertrain. The latter could combine an improved battery with more efficient motors.

2026 will also see the introduction of five Core ICE-powered vehicles and three EVs. One of the latter appears to be the new GLC EQ L for China, which was mentioned in one of the presentations.

On the Entry side of things, there will be a new ICE and EV model. It will join the CLA and GLB, suggesting this could be the redesigned GLA.

2027 will see the introduction of 14 models, three of which will be fully electric. A vast majority of these will become part of the brand’s Core family, while some of the Top-End models could be the facelifted SL.

Mercedes also mentioned a new long-wheelbase GLE for China, which will presumably be based on the facelifted crossover. However, it’s unclear when either model will arrive.

Financials

Fun stuff aside, Mercedes announced adjusted earnings before interest and taxes fell from €13.7 ($16.3) billion in 2024 to €8.2 ($9.7) billion last year. The company blamed the drop on challenges in China, tariffs, and foreign exchange headwinds. On the bright side, the company reduced research and development costs related to future architectures and technologies.

Investors probably won’t like the news, nor will they be thrilled by the proposed dividend of €3.50 ($4.15) per share. That’s significantly less than last year’s payout of €4.30 ($5.10).

H/T to Motor1

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz S-Class is set to span both combustion and electric power, offering buyers a choice they don’t have today. Although these versions will share a badge, they won’t share underpinnings. Mercedes is developing the internal combustion and electric versions of the S-Class on entirely separate platforms, marking a distinct split in engineering paths for its flagship sedan.

Read: Mercedes Says The World Wasn’t Ready For The EQS

In following this path, Mercedes is adopting a similar EV rollout strategy to rival BMW. Rather than pushing entirely separate electric nameplates like it does today with the S-Class and EQS, the company is now folding electric variants into its main model lines. We’ve seen this with the new GLC EQ, the battery-powered version of the ICE model, launched to replace the disappointing EQC.

However, those hoping to drive an all-electric version of the S-Class will need a little more patience. While Mercedes is already working on a mid-cycle update for the current combustion-powered model, the electric version won’t debut until the next full model change, expected closer to the end of the decade.

When it does land, the electric S-Class will effectively replace the EQS, which has never really reached the sales heights that Mercedes had hoped for. Widely criticized for its egg-shaped design, the EQS was a key part of the carmaker’s strategy, aimed at launching dedicated EVs to be sold alongside its existing range of ICE models.

One Design, Two Platforms

Importantly, this doesn’t mean Mercedes will remove the engines from its new models and replace them with electric motors and batteries. Electric versions of the brand’s cars will still use distinct platforms.

Despite those differences beneath the surface, the two variants are expected to look nearly identical. According to Auto Express, Mercedes plans to retain a more traditional sedan silhouette for the next S-Class, distancing it from the wind-slippery styling of the EQS.

While speaking about the next S-Class, Mercedes chief executive Ola Källenius noted it’ll be important to sell it in electric and combustion configurations.

“If you don’t believe that when the next S-Class comes, the market is 100 per cent electric at that point in time, you have to have the choice for both,” he said. “I think this is certainly one of the lessons learned from [our] first-generation electric vehicles in the whole market. You need to offer the electric and the hi-tech electrified ICE version without compromise.”

New Tech Beneath the Surface

Technical details about the electric S-Class remain unknown. The model is likely to be somewhat inelegantly named the S-Class with EQ Technology and will ride on the same MB.EA platform set to underpin several forthcoming electric Mercedes models.

See: Mercedes’ Vision Styling Looks Great On The Next S-Class

Because the car is still a few years from launch, Mercedes has time to go beyond the components used in models like the GLC EQ. It’s very likely the electric S-Class will benefit from more advanced battery and motor technology, including the axial flux motors developed by the company’s Yasa subsidiary. These compact, high-output units are expected to debut first in AMG-badged super sedans and SUVs.