Mercedes-Benz has confirmed full details of its updated S-Class limousine, a car that can alter its own on-road character as well as the behaviour of its driver.

As the most-advanced machine produced by the German brand, it includes a number of new technologies, including three new engines, further developments of a suspensions system that can read the road ahead of it and a wellness function that adjusts the ambience of the cabin according to the mood of those in the cabin.

Due to go on-sale in Australia later this year, Mercedes-Benz Australia is in the final stages of defining the local S-Class line-up, including the model line-up, pricing and specifications. But it is expected to expand the number of variants on offer today, which is available in short and long wheelbase mainstream models as well as dedicated AMG performance machines and a range-topping Maybach ultra-luxury limousine.

The key changes to the updated S-Class lie under its mildly-revised body with the debut of a new-generation, high-tech in-line six-cylinder family that uses a 48-volt electrical system, an electric turbo charger and an integrated starter motor that, all up, combine to improve performance, fuel efficiency and overall refinement.

The 3.0-litre petrol engine will be offered in two states of tune in the S450 and S500 respectively. In the lower-grade model it produces 270kW and 500Nm with a claimed average fuel consumption of 6.6L/100km while the S500 has 320kW and 520Nm without any penalty to fuel consumption.

Similarly, the 3.0-litre diesel engine is offered with a two-tier line-up. The entry-grade S350d has 210kW and 600Nm while the S400d ups the ante to 250kW and 700Nm with both delivering a claimed average fuel consumption of 5.6L/100km.

Mercedes claims the diesel has been developed to comply with future real-world emission regulations with a raft of innovative functions designed to improve its efficiency, including a stepped-bowl combustion process, near-engine exhaust treatment and variable lift control camshafts for the first time.

Rounding out the new engines is a mainstream development of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 originally previously used exclusively by the AMG performance division. It will be offered in the S560 4Matic, both as a regular Mercedes-Benz and a Mercedes-Maybach, producing 345kW and 700Nm and, with the adoption of cylinder deactivation that shuts down four cylinders under light throttle loads, has a claimed average fuel consumption of 9.3L/100km.

The full AMG version is used in the S63 in its highest state of tune, matching the E63's 450kW and 900Nm outputs, while the S65 and S650 Maybach continue to use a 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 that generates 463kW and 1000Nm and the S600 has a more relaxed version with 390kW and 830Nm.

On the top-of-the-line models, the Magic Body Control suspension that debuted in the current-generation S-Class in 2013 has been further enhanced with the addition of a higher-resolution stereo camera that now works at speeds up to 180km/h and reads the road ahead to prepare the suspension for bumps, keeping the car flat and the occupants in absolute comfort.

Further to that, it also includes the tilt function that was first introduced on the S-Class Coupe which leans the car in the opposite direction by up to 2.65 degrees to reduce lateral loads while cornering.

Not only can the S-Class read the road ahead of it, but the introduction of a world-first system dubbed Energizing comfort control will be available in models built from September onwards that links elements of the cabin together to manipulate the mood of its occupants.

It adapts the climate control, fragrance dispenser, seats (with heating, ventilation and massage functions), the ambient lighting and the audio system across six pre-programmed settings – Freshness, Warmth, Vitality, Joy and Comfort as well as three distinct Training modes for muscle relaxation, muscle activation and balance. Each of the programs runs for 10 minutes and integrates graphics on the 12.3-inch colour display with five programmed songs stored in the hard drive, or your own music based on the beats per minute of individual songs, as well as the 64 colours in the ambient lighting system that can rise and fall in intensity and change across individual pieces in the car which Mercedes claims "creates emotionally appealing contrasts and structures the interior into [different] levels."

Beyond that, the updated S-Class features Mercedes' next level of semi-autonomous driving functions using higher levels of GPS map data for smoother integration of its adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance systems, while adding elements like Active Lane Changing Assist and Emergency Stop Assist that first debuted in the new E-Class range last year.

Check Drive.com.au next Tuesday morning for our first impressions of the 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

- For more information visit our Mercedes-Benz showroom