The 2021 Mercedes S-Class marks a new design direction for the flagship luxury sedan. Taking cues from the recent E-Class facelift, the new S-Class sports a larger grille, redesigned headlights, and a cleaner profile. Consequently, its similarities to other Mercedes models give the S-Class a lack of identity. To rectify this, render artist Nikita Chuiko has redesigned the S-Class blending modern technology with retro styling.

Taking inspiration from the iconic W140 from the 1990s, the artist has added horizontal lines to the luxury sedan's profile in contrast to the new model's clean profile, a smaller, more angular front grille, and boxier front and rear lights.

At the rear, the taillights no longer extend to the trunk, the W140's full-width chrome bar also been fitted below the rear lights, and the exhaust tips are hidden below the rear bumper, which was a common design trait on cars in the 1990s. To modernize the W140, the new model's pop-out door handles have been retained, giving the sedan a sleeker look than the original 1990s flagship. More angular side mirrors complement the body.

When the W140 S-Class launched in the 1990s, it featured a host of technological innovations, including double glazing, automatically closing doors and a trunk lid, side airbags, parking radars and electronic stability control.

Likewise, the new 2021 S-Class is a technological marvel, with its 3D augmented-reality head-up display and level 3 autonomous tech. Under the hood, the S-Class W140 was available with a 6.0-liter V12 rated at 408 hp until 1993, and 394 hp from 1993 to 1998.

A twelve-cylinder powerplant will also be offered in the new S-Class, but it's being reserved for the range-topping Maybach variant. For the regular S-Class, Mercedes is offering a choice of either a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque or a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 with 496 hp and 516 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and feature a mild-hybrid assist.