Prototypes of the new W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class were spotted in South Africa. The flagship sedan is likely to be officially revealed towards the end of 2020.
For now, Wheels24 was sent photographs of four vehicles, fully-dressed in camouflage, seen at the Lesotho Border, Fouriesburg, Caledenspoort, Free State according to Wheels24 reader Riaz Ebrahim.
Ebrahim said: "The convoy of four vehicles were seen leaving Lesotho and should be heading towards South Africa for hot-weather testing, I'm sure."
Car manufacturers frequently test prototype vehicles in South Africa to develop them in hot-weather environments.
Mercedes-Benz has cut its S-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models from the range, with the sedan as the lone torchbearer, after the former duo struggled to sell.
Mercedes is also readying the next-generation SL and has an AMG GT model for those customers who want a large two-door Mercedes.
The S-Class will seemingly feature electronic pop-out door handles already seen in the latest Maybach derivative. The drivers of the prototypes blocked the photographer from taking any snaps of the front of the car and interior.
Image: Dr Yusuf Dambha
Ebrahim said the the cars were spotted in Bethlehem on Thursday, 13 February heading out of the town. He said he is sure the next-generation W206 C-Class will also be brought into the country later this year for hot-weather testing.Image: Dr Yusuf Dambha
Image: Dr Yusuf Dambha