Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the 2021 S-Class, which arrives with a more luxurious interior, the latest tech features and more powerful engines.

On the outside the new S-Class isn’t a dramatic departure from the last generation, but it now has a more sculpted body with sleek lines. At the front the hood is longer and its face has slimmer headlights. The taillights have also been reworked, while the C-pillar now flows more elegantly into the rear. 

To help make it more aerodynamic, the door handles are now completely flush with the body and there are new “aerostripes” on the inside of the mirrors to improve the airflow. This all helps the S-Class achieve a drag coefficient of 0.22, which makes the new S-Class one of the most aerodynamic cars in the world.

Compared to its predecessor, the 2021 S-Class is 1.3-inches longer, 2.0-inches wider and 0.4 inches taller. The wheelbase has also been stretched by 2.0-inches, while the front track is 1.4-inches wider and the rear track is 2.0 inches wider.

Inside there’s a new 12.8-inch touchscreen that looks like it’s floating on the center console, which replaces the old 10.3-inch screen. The touchscreen features the latest MBUX infotainment system. There are also three optional screens for the rear: two 11.6-inch entertainment displays that are mounted to the front seatbacks and a third removable 7.0-inch tablet in the center console.

Mercedes-Benz also reduced the number of knobs and dials, by deleting 27 of them, which means those previous functions are now controlled by voice or touch controllers. If you love music, you’ll like the 30 loudspeakers and eight resonators that are part of the Burmester 4D surround sound system.

The steering wheel has also been updated with new capacitive controls. There’s a new two-zone sensor pad in the steering wheel rim. The sensors on the front and rear of the rim can tell if the driver’s hands are on the steering wheel.

The seats are wrapped in Nappa leather, which come in different colors and to keep you comfortable they offer heating, ventilation and 10 different massage functions. There’s also new “Energizing” options: Refresh, Warmth, Vitality, Enjoyment, Well-Being, and Training. The options adjust the music, seat positioning, ambient lighting and air conditioning. The options are also now added to the second row as well if you choose the optional Energizing Rear package.

The base 2021 Mercedes-Benz S500 is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with an integrated starter generator with the 48-volt EQ Boost mild-hybrid system. The powertrain generates 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, which is an improvement of 67 hp and 15 lb-ft. The power is sent to all four wheels.

The S580 is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 with 469 hp and 516 lb-ft. 

Both engines are mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission.

The new S-Class comes with every safety feature that Mercedes-Benz has in its arsenal. This includes automatic emergency braking, active steering assist, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane keep assist, traffic sign recognition, a blind spot monitor and front and rear cross-traffic alert. The S-Class now also offers rear-seat airbags to protect second-row passengers in a head-on collision.

Mercedes-Benz hasn’t announced the pricing for the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but it will arrive in the US in the first half of 2021.