Mercedes-Benz chose Abu Dhabi to introduce its updated flagship to the Middle East. On 3 November 2026, Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East held the regional premiere of the new S-Class at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, and ended the evening with a surprise: the new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. The event also marked 140 years since the invention of the automobile. Here is everything announced, and what is still to come.
Quick Highlights
- Regional premiere of the new S-Class at Emirates Palace Mandarin Oriental, Abu Dhabi, on 3 November 2026
- More than half of the car is newly developed or refined
- The new Mercedes-Maybach S-Class was revealed as the evening’s surprise
- MB.OS now appears in a Maybach for the first time
- Over 150 exterior colours and over 400 interior colours through MANUFAKTUR
- UAE pricing, specifications and delivery dates have not been announced
The Event
The evening brought together VIP guests, customers, partners and media from across the region. It was hosted by television personality Raya Abirached, and a live orchestral performance led into the Maybach reveal. Michael Stroband, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East, said the S-Class has long been associated with the region’s leaders and visionaries, which made the UAE a fitting place for the premiere.
Worth knowing: this is a regional premiere. The updated S-Class and Maybach S-Class were first revealed globally earlier this year.
What Is New on the S-Class?
Mercedes calls this the most comprehensive update within a single S-Class generation, with more than 50 per cent of the car newly developed or refined.
- Front end: the radiator grille is about 20 per cent larger, and the new DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps use micro-LED technology. For the first time, the Mercedes star on the bonnet can be illuminated as an option.
- Rear: new taillights feature three chrome-framed stars.
- Interior: a redesigned instrument panel, door trim and centre console blend digital and analogue luxury.
- Powertrains: new and refined electrified V8 and six-cylinder engines, plus plug-in hybrid options. Mercedes has not said which will be sold in the UAE.
The Surprise: Mercedes-Maybach S-Class
The new Maybach S-Class received the most extensive update in its history. The cabin has been redesigned with new materials and the latest digital technology, and rear passengers get executive rear seats and optional automatic comfort doors. A dedicated MAYBACH mode in the DYNAMIC SELECT system is built entirely around ride comfort, and the new AIRMATIC air suspension uses intelligent, predictive damping to improve comfort, especially for people in the back.
Technology: MB.OS and the New MBUX
The new S-Class runs on the Mercedes-Benz Operating System, MB.OS, which links vehicle systems, driver assistance and infotainment. It supports over-the-air updates, so the car can keep improving after delivery. This is the first time MB.OS has been fitted to a Maybach.
- Fourth-generation MBUX with an AI-powered Virtual Assistant
- Standard MBUX Superscreen: a 14.4-inch central display and 12.3-inch passenger display under one glass surface
- MBUX High-End Rear Seat Entertainment: two 13.1-inch screens, detachable remote controls and built-in cameras for video calls
MANUFAKTUR: Make It Your Own
Guests also explored the MANUFAKTUR Made to Measure personalisation programme, which shows exclusive paints, interior materials and handcrafted details. For both the S-Class and the Maybach S-Class, customers can choose from more than 150 exterior colours and over 400 interior colours.
Celebrating 140 Years of Innovation
A heritage display traced the brand’s history, starting with the 1886 Benz Patent Motor Car, widely regarded as the first automobile. It stood alongside three S-Class generations: the W116 from 1972, the first model officially called an S-Class, the W126 from the 1980s and the W140 from the 1990s. A specially produced film linked each generation to icons of literature, music, design and culture from the region.
“140 Years. 140 Places”: The Anniversary Journey Reaches the UAE
The “140 Years. 140 Places” S-Class made its first appearance in the region at the event. The project launched on 29 January 2026, when three new S-Class saloons named Bertha, Carl and Gottlieb set off on a journey of more than 65,000 kilometres across six continents. The car will now visit some of the UAE’s best-known landmarks.
Price and Availability
The announcement did not include UAE pricing, specifications or delivery dates. Mercedes-Benz Cars Middle East says customers can find availability, local specifications, configurations and ordering details on its regional website, or contact their local dealer. Treat any price you see online as unofficial until it is confirmed.
Final Thoughts
The S-Class has long been the benchmark in the luxury saloon class, and this update is Mercedes’s answer to a world that increasingly values screens, software and personalisation as much as ride comfort. The real test will be the UAE price and which engines are offered here. Would you choose the S-Class or the Maybach? Tell us in the comments.
