Mercedes-Benz Teases an Even Bigger Light-Up Grille

The distinguishing design feature of Mercedes-Benz’s newest EVs is a huge, light-up grille. We first saw it on the new GLC with EQ Technology, and the upcoming C-Class EV will get something similar. But, Mercedes is going bigger. Much bigger. Mercedes design chief Gorden Wagener teased an even larger light-up grille at the front of what appears to be some sort of new sedan on Instagram.

We’re getting strong S-Class vibes here. The earliest S-Class sedans all used a tall, somewhat narrow grille of this shape. This design especially reminds us of the grilles on the “Fintail” W112/W113 S-Class, and its successor, the W108/W109. Later S-Class models moved to a shorter, wider grille as styles changed.

Also note the light-up Mercedes three-pointed star hood ornament. For a long time, most every Mercedes models had an emblem like this on the hood, but now, only some trims of the E-Class sedan and S-Class get the hood ornament. Wagener could be teasing a new E-Class EV here, but Mercedes has already confirmed that an electric S-Class based on the automaker’s new MB.EA platform is on its way. It will replace the slow-selling EQS model.

In the GLC, this light-up grille has 942 LED pixels to recreate the segments of past Mercedes radiator grilles. It comes as BMW is taking inspiration from the past for its grille design on the Neue Klasse EVs, though the Bavarian company is actually shrinking its grilles. 

Under Wagener, Mercedes has gone bolder with its design and styling, with big logos everywhere, prominent lighting features, and screen-filled cabins. The EQ family of EVs, with their low-drag, cab-forward designs were a misfire, but Mercedes isn’t backing down from the glitz with its coming electric cars.