3 Minutes
Old-school W140 body meets modern S-Class DNA
Mercedes-Benz kicked off 2026 with a splash: a refreshed 2027 S-Class and an updated Guard armored variant packing legendary protection and a V12 option. The new S-Class drew equal parts praise and debate — praise for its refined silhouette and a 4.0-liter flat-plane V8, and debate over the cockpit's screen overload and the proliferation of illuminated stars.
Enter virtual car artist Nikita Chuicko, better known online as 'kelsonik'. Rather than critique Stuttgart's direction, he reimagined it. His CGI restomod marries the boxy charm of the third-generation W140 S-Class with styling cues from the pre-refresh W223, producing a clean, brick-like luxury limousine that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.
Design: retro volume, modern details
The render keeps the W140's hulking, upright presence but smartly modernizes surfaces and lighting. Highlights include:
- A three-slot front grille and understated bumper treatment
- LED headlights with a restrained signature, avoiding the now-ubiquitous star motif
- Period-correct 'full-face' alloy wheels updated with a minimalist finish
- A V-shaped trunk and uncluttered rear bumper, with compact LED taillights for a modern touch
The result is a S-Class that could have stepped out of the 1990s and into the mid-2020s without feeling anachronistic.
Performance cues and packaging
While the CGI project is a styling exercise rather than an engineering preview, the image evokes the kind of mechanical clarity that appeals to enthusiasts — big displacement engines, rear-wheel proportions, and a logical cockpit layout. It deliberately sidesteps the W223 refresh’s extravagance: fewer screens, simpler controls, and a dominant instrument cluster that prioritizes driver focus.
Quote: 'It’s a wishful blend of robustness and modern simplicity — a digital restomod that asks whether luxury always needs to shout,' the creator seems to say through his design.
Why this matters to car fans
The render sparks useful discussion around automotive design trends and market positioning. The 2027 S-Class advanced new technology — from dozens of updated parts to a sports-style flat-plane V8 — but some buyers prefer restrained aesthetics and mechanical honesty. Digital restomods like this one highlight alternative directions Mercedes could take for niche buyers who want heritage cues without sacrificing contemporary engineering.
Key takeaways:
- The W140-inspired silhouette offers a contrast to the high-tech, star-filled look of the current S-Class.
- CGI restomods are increasingly influential in design conversations, bridging nostalgia and modernity.
- For collectors and retro-minded buyers, a simplified, boxy S-Class could be a compelling halo model.
Would Mercedes build it?
Production is unlikely — the W223 platform and 2027 model emphasize luxury tech and brand identity tied to light signatures and screens. Still, aftermarket restomods and limited-run coachbuilt projects are growing trends. If demand for retro-inspired S-Class derivatives rises, manufacturers or third-party builders might explore similarly themed limited editions.
Whether you favor the starry, tech-forward 2027 S-Class or this digital W140 restomod, projects like these remind us that great car design is as much about choices and character as it is about specs.
Source: autoevolution
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