2026 Mercedes-Benz S-Class: Major Update with Advanced Suspension
Mercedes-Benz describes the 2026 S-Class as a major update, with more than 2,700 new parts, representing around 50% of the flagship sedan.
For suspension, AIRMATIC air suspension with continuously adjustable damping is standard. The optional E-ACTIVE BODY CONTROL system is also available. Both systems feature a new intelligent damping function that uses information from the Mercedes Intelligent Cloud to anticipate road imperfections.
Using Car-to-X data shared by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles, the system can detect road features such as speed bumps and potholes up to 10 metres ahead. The suspension can then electrically adjust its damping rate before the wheels reach the road imperfection.
The system can distinguish between different types of road inputs, including sharp impacts such as potholes and longer vertical body movements caused by speed bumps.
The updated S-Class also features rear-axle steering as standard, with the rear wheels able to turn by up to 10 degrees. According to the article, this reduces the car’s turning circle by almost two metres.
The suspension and rear-wheel-steering technologies are designed to maintain the S-Class’s characteristic ride comfort and composure while improving its response to changing road conditions.