据外媒报道，奔驰将于下月发布S级中期改款车（2018款车型），该车将成为奔驰最具技术含量的车型。该车将提供取自E级轿车的全部安全和辅助驾驶系统，同时将增加新的功能。除了自动驾驶技术，S级改款车还将对外观进行轻度改款，包括改款前后保险杠和前大灯及尾灯组。豪华的车厢内预计也将进行轻度改款。新车最大变化是动力系统，奔驰已经透露，该车将搭载新开发的“M256”直列六缸汽油引擎，它采用智能48伏电子涡轮增压器并集成起动-发电机，其性能直逼八缸引擎，功率达到300千瓦/408马力，扭矩500牛米，而油耗则更低，二氧化碳排放量比先前的V6引擎降低15%。另一台“OM656”直列六缸涡轮柴油引擎则是首次提供给S级车型。“这台奔驰史上动力最强劲乘用车柴油引擎”采用双阶废气涡轮增压和可变气门正时，功率230千瓦/313马力，相对于老款“OM642”柴油引擎的190千瓦/258马力，动力有了大幅提升，同时油耗降低7%。除了这两台直列六缸引擎，2018款S级还将搭载新的4.0升V8双涡轮增压汽油引擎“M176”，其功率350千瓦/476马力，扭矩700牛米@2000/转/分。这台引擎除了功率比先前搭载的引擎更强劲之外，油耗还降低了10%，这主要得益于其采用的停缸技术。无论是“M256”还是“M176”汽油引擎都配备了颗粒过滤系统以降低细煤烟颗粒排放。未来其他汽油引擎，包括“M264”，也将提供颗粒过滤系统。
2018 Mercedes S-Class facelift confirmed for April debut
The wait is almost over as Mercedes will roll out the mid-cycle refresh for its flagship model in April. Auto Express had the opportunity to ride shotgun in a prototype of the stretched Maybach version and learned from the company with the three-pointed star logo the full reveal is scheduled for “within the next month.” As one would expect from a range topper, the S-Class facelift is going to be the most technologically advanced model from Mercedes’ extensive lineup.
The safety and assistance systems that debuted in the E-Class are going to carry over onto the fullsize sedan and will actually be expanded to include new functionality. Beyond autonomous tech, the S-Class facelift will also come with a mild exterior refresh bringing modified bumpers and some discreet changes to the headlights and taillights. Some subtle modifications inside the lavish cabin are also expected.
More important are going to be the novelties underneath the hood, with Mercedes already revealing a newly developed inline-six “M 256” gasoline engine boasting a 48 V electrical system, an electric auxiliary compressor, and an integrated starter-alternator (ISG). It’s set to offer the performances of an eight-cylinder engine while being considerably more frugal. It will pack more than 408 horsepower (300 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters) of torque while CO2 emissions are going to be reduced by approximately 15 percent over the previous V6.
An inline-six “OM 656” turbodiesel engine will also be inaugurated with the S-Class facelift. Billed as being the “most powerful passenger-car diesel engine in the history of Mercedes-Benz,” the new unit will have two-stage exhaust turbocharging and variable valve timing. Output will stand at more than 313 hp (230 kW), which will represent a significant bump over the previous “OM 642” unit (258 hp / 190 kW) and at the same time a decrease in fuel consumption in excess of seven percent.
Besides these two inline-six engines, the 2018 S-Class will also gain a new biturbo 4.0-liter V8 gasoline motor dubbed “M 176.” It’s going to churn more than 476 hp (350 kW) and will generate its peak torque of 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) from 2,000 rpm. Aside from being more powerful than its predecessor (455 hp / 335 kW), the new engine will also consume more than 10 percent less fuel thanks to the implementation of cylinder deactivation technology.
Both new “M 256” and “M 176” gasoline engines are going to have particulate filters to reduce the emissions of fine soot particles. Further down the line, other gasoline units powering facelifted or new models are going to receive the particulate filter as well, including the “M 264” engine.