In late January, Mercedes-Benz unveiled a comprehensively updated S-Class from the W223 generation. It is now available for order in Europe. The configurators offer interesting options, such as an interior completely devoid of natural leather. The S-Class hasn't had this factory option since the 1980s.
The current generation of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, designated as W223, is the seventh in a row. Flagship sedans from the first two generations, designated as W116 and W126, could be ordered with a velour interior, fashionable in the 70s and 80s, although some elements like the steering wheel could still be upholstered in leather.
The recently introduced facelift of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 can be purchased entirely without leather. This is Mercedes-Benz's response to another social demand for ecology and humane treatment of animals. Leather-free interiors are already offered by British luxury brands, such as Range Rover.
Mercedes-Benz has already introduced a leather-free option for the GLC crossover, but with the flagship S-Class, this is unlikely to appeal to traditional buyers of this model. Nevertheless, this option is now available and is free, as the car comes standard with black natural leather. Below are screenshots of the leather-free interior of the base Mercedes-Benz S 350 d 4Matic, which currently starts at 121,356 euros in Germany.
Only the central panels of the seats - cushions and backrests - are upholstered in textile, while the side supports, door panels, dashboard, and center console appear to have leather upholstery, but this is artificial leather, which Mercedes-Benz calls Artico.
The three-screen MBUX Superscreen is standard. As an option, a natural wood veneer for the door panels and center console is offered, which can also be combined with textile seats.
The base model S 350 d 4Matic is powered by a 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbodiesel engine with 313 hp, with the electric motor of the mild hybrid system providing a short-term boost of 23 hp. 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard. The base S-Class accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds, with a top speed limited to 250 km/h. The curb weight is 2230 kg.
S-Class sales have been declining in recent years. In the US, for example, sales were 5,006 units last year, a 43% decrease compared to sales in 2024. There are several reasons for this decline, including a shift of customers towards the crossover segment and the design of the W223 generation sedan.
While the facelift generously includes a starry exterior, the company has still not managed to radically redesign the interior, as it is barely distinguishable from the interiors of smaller Mercedes-Benz models, which is a significant disadvantage for a flagship model. In December, the chief designer of Mercedes-Benz left his post, which suggests a new vision of the models, but only in the coming years.