最近谍照记者拍到了正在测试的奔驰S级改款车的原型车。S级W222车身上市已经将近三年了，这意味着该车将进行中期改款以使其在与新款7系和A8竞争时保持竞争力。这辆原型车将锐利的前大灯进行了遮盖，这似乎表明它采用了不同的造型。此外，前保险杠也用黑色伪装遮盖起来，这表明其外观也将有轻度改款。新车的侧面轮廓并没有任何改变，但奔驰很可能为其配备新的合金轮圈，后视镜也将进行改款。虽然车尾与现行版相比没有变化，但预计尾灯组和后保险杠也将有小幅改变，但现在确实没什么可说的。进入车厢内，第一眼注意到的是两个显示屏之间的按键被拿掉了。这表明，这似乎变成了一个硕大的单体屏幕，但设计并非如此，S级改款车还将继续使用双显示屏。或许新显示屏的尺寸会略微增大，而现行版配备的12.3英寸显示屏。方向盘之所以被遮盖是由于它采用了更具运动感的设计，而三辐方向盘将比现行版采用的方向盘更有吸引力。其他方面，或许会增加新的触控板，这将增加操控便利性，而导航系统则将与很多选装件一起由COMAND信息娱乐系统提供。目前还不清楚新车动力系统会有哪些变化，但已经有传言称新车将搭载直列六缸引擎。虽然传言称该引擎将配备在新款E级车上，但很有可能会首先出现在S级改款车上，或许该车将作为2018款车型上市。
Mercedes S Class facelift spied inside and out
A prototype of the Mercedes S Class facelift has been spied out in the open undergoing testing.
The S Class W222 came out almost three years ago which means Daimler’s flagship sedan is getting ready for a mid-cycle revision to keep it fresh while it battles the new BMW 7 Series and the upcoming Audi A8 (D5). The prototype spotted here by our spies hides its sharper headlights which seem to adopt different graphics. In addition, the front bumper is also masked by black camouflage, thus indicating it’s also about to go through mild cosmetic surgery.
Looking at the side profile we don’t notice any changes, but most likely Mercedes is preparing new sets of alloy wheels and it could also work a bit on the mirror caps. While the rear end is basically the same as it is today, we expect some subtle changes to the LED taillights along with a nip and tuck for the bumper, but nothing really to write home about.
Once you step inside the cabin, you’ll first notice the buttons between the two screens have been removed. This change gives the impression there is now a massive single screen, but that’s not the case as the S Class facelift will continue to have dual displays. It’s hard to tell looking at these pics, but maybe the size of the screens has increased a little bit compared to the current 12.3 inches.
The reason why the steering wheel remains hidden is because it has a new sportier look with a three-spoke design which for many people will look better than the current appearance. Elsewhere, there seems to be a new touchpad which will probably be easier to maneuver while navigating through the numerous options offered by the COMAND infotainment system.
It’s unclear at this point what sort of changes will occur underneath the hood, but we’ve been hearing rumors about a new family of straight-six engines. While the gossip indicated these would arrive on the new E Class, most likely the motors will be inaugurated on the facelifted S Class which is probably due for the 2018 model year.