Two 2020 Mercedes S-Class Prototypes Spotted: Are They Talking to Each Other?

The W223 was last spotted during the week. And given the early stages of its development cycle, we're surprised to see Mercedes now has two of them on the same road. What is the point? I mean, it's not like they can gather the same test data twice and use it. And if its just following the car in front they're after, they could have used any other model.

So the only thing we can think of is car-to-car communication on a microscopic scale. This technology is already being used by some manufacturers to some degree. It can offer traffic info, useful for optimizing car parameters, or live updates about potential hazards.

And it's not like this is the only thing going on here. The hole left in the middle of the grille is where the next-gen driver assistance system will be installed. We also see a possible hint of the Digital Light headlight unit, though it's of provisional construction.

Above all, the W223 is based on a new platform, wider, lower and with a longer wheelbase than the W222. That shows a similar thing will happen to the other E-Class and C-Class next decade. Mercedes will reportedly use a combination of aluminum and CFRP to keep the weight down.

Design-wise, it's also different to the current S-Class. The headlights are lower and narrower, suggesting a sportier front end. The rear features tapered taillights, which cut into the trunk. Also, less pronounced lines are used on the sides, perhaps in combination with flush door handles. Yes, fake exhausts are going to be a thing too, unfortunately.