The reveal happened during the Gran Turismo World Series 2026 Round 1 event in Milan. And honestly, longtime players likely welcomed the change in direction. Previous GT7 updates leaned heavily toward EVs, crossovers, and slower economy-focused machines. This time, the incoming lineup looks much faster.

Before the announcement, the article’s author described grinding through Weekly Challenges earlier in the day while chasing a car priced at 8.5 million credits inside the Legend Cars dealership. Even after completing more than five races tied to the Power Pack Challenges, extra measures became necessary. A few “big” cars from the virtual garage ended up sold off in order to afford the purchase. The Mercedes-Benz CLK LM ’98 earned praise over the older Aston Martin DB3S, especially from a player more interested in speed than nostalgia.

Then came the bigger surprise.

Update 1.70, or at least what the author expects Polyphony to call it, reportedly includes five new vehicles. One stands above the others immediately. Porsche’s 911 appears in its FIA World Endurance Championship safety car form, specifically the Turbo S variant. The article also mentions a personal connection to the car, referencing a drive experience at Weissach during the official debut event last year.

Another major addition arrives in the form of the Porsche 963. Even though Porsche plans to leave WEC factory competition after the 2026 season, the prototype racer still joins Gran Turismo 7’s garage roster. The writer explains using the older Porsche 919 regularly in races and time trials, so the newer machine naturally becomes one of the most anticipated arrivals in the package.

Ferrari enters the conversation too, though indirectly at first. Driving the Porsche 963 in-game apparently sparked interest in Mattel’s Elite 64 Ferrari 499P replica. Soon after, confirmation arrived that Ferrari would participate in the update as well. No exact pricing details surfaced yet, though the article speculates the car might cost somewhere between three and four million credits.

Some customization fans already appear eager for the release. The article predicts livery creators will move quickly once the cars become available, especially with the BMW M Hybrid V8 and Porsche 98X also entering the mix. Testing both machines around the Nordschleife becomes one obvious target.

No additional circuit appears planned for the update. Still, expectations include several new races and possibly extra engine swaps alongside the incoming car roster.

Gran Turismo 7 New Cars Arriving Soon – Photo Gallery

The V12 is not yet dead, at least not for the luxury Mercedes-Maybach S 680. It will be introduced in 2027, and the new luxury car will be equipped with the same 6.2-liter twin-turbo V12 engine but will be more powerful with 621 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque.

2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class The V12 will be paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive (4MATIC) system, giving the car a 0 to 100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds. It will still have a top speed of 250 kph electronically limited.

The V12 engine will be mated to a nine-speed automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system (4MATIC), allowing the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. It will still be electronically capped at 250 kph.

Another “great news” is that Mercedes has also launched the 2027 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class fitted with the M177 Evo. This particular V12 engine has 621 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, and equips the S 680 variant; the S 680 in question remains the only one in the lineup to still use the famous V12 engine.

Mercedes confirmed that the V12 cannot continue under Europe’s next emissions framework. A spokesperson told Motor1 the decision is tied directly to Euro 7, which takes effect on November 29, 2026. Germany loses it, all European Union countries lose it, and even non-EU destinations such as the UK, Norway, and Monaco are included in the withdrawal. The reason given is simple enough: producing the model for only a narrow collection of nearby markets would not be profitable.

Outside that region, however, Mercedes still keeps the twelve-cylinder available. The United States remains on the list. China does too. The Middle East also continues receiving it, where local emissions requirements are described as less restrictive than those now applying in Europe.

The story of the V12 is a long one, starting in 1991. Mercedes unveiled the first of its V12 engines, the M120, fitted in the W140 S-Class models, known as the 600 SE and 600 SEL. The first engine was a 6.0-liter, 48-valve.

Today, Mercedes-Benz remains the sole German-based automaker still utilizing this V12 engine until its eventual shutdown.

And the German-based luxury automaker has also decided to end the production of the 2022 M760i xDrive Final Edition model after a 36-year run; the model was equipped with a V12 N74 6.6-liter twin-turbo engine.

Mercedes-Maybach V12 Engine – Photo Gallery

Its exterior is cleaner than boxy. The front end features a prominent grille that can be ordered with an illuminated surround, lighting elements with a star-like look, and a power-dome hood topped by a tri-star ornament.

However, the German-based carmaker is also throwing an AMG variant, which means plenty of tuning-like upgrades, such as fresh bumper and grille with centered-start emblem. Other standout features also include 19- to 22-inch alloy wheels, arc-type taillights at the back, as well as an opening rear window and a charging-port door that opens downward. Flush door handles and retractable sliding-door windows complete the new body enhancements.

Size is another story. In its standard form, the VLE will be 209 inches long, 78.7 inches wide, and 76.5 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 131.6 inches. However, the longer versions arriving late will stretch to 215.9 inches and sit on a 138.5-inch wheelbase.

As for technological goodies that come with the new VLE, we should mention the all-star MBUX Superscreen, with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14-inch infotainment system, as well as a separate 14-inch screen for the passengers.

Rear occupants can really enjoy the ride thanks to a 31.3-inch panoramic display that folds down from the headliner. That setup brings 8K resolution, split-screen capability, and even an eight-megapixel camera for teleconferencing.

Beyond the screens, the VLE leans hard into comfort. Buyers will be able to configure it with six to eight seats, including layouts with captain’s chairs or rear benches. Mercedes also says manually operated seats can be fitted with four integrated wheels so they can be rolled in or out of the vehicle with little effort. Step further up the range, and the seats become electrically adjustable through either the infotainment system or a smartphone app. Premium Comfort and Grand Comfort chairs are also on the menu, with the latter adding a foot rest, lumbar support, massage, a pillow, and a wireless phone charger.

Depending on the trim involved, the new Mercedes-Benz VLE will come with great power and increased mileage. However, the carmaker has given information on just two powertrains so far.

The VLE 300, for instance, will come with a front motor and a 115 kWh NMC battery. The total output stands at 272 horsepower, while the mileage stands at around 700 km. On the other hand, the VLE 400 4MATIC comes with two electric motors, with 425 horsepower.

2028 Mercedes-Benz VLE – Video Show-Off

The interior layout is the most salient aspect of the car, which is an obvious sign that it does not follow the same symmetrical hyper-screen layout as the regular items of the EQ line or even the new S-Class; in fact, the layout of the center console is directed towards the driver.

This implies that the 14-inch infotainment system takes up most of the mid-cabin with a slight inclination towards the driver. It also features a 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster that combines the info system, and an option 14-inch passenger screen is also added to the cabin. This means that the overall setup will eventually form a triple-screen arrangement.

Mercedes describes the operating logic as “balanced,” combining haptic buttons, touchscreen inputs, and voice control. That said, the balance still tilts heavily toward digital interaction. The climate system, for instance, remains buried inside the MBUX infotainment menus, which suggests AMG has not really joined the broader move back toward dedicated physical controls. Or not fully, at least.

There are still some tactile elements left in place. Three chunky rotary controllers sit in the center tunnel, and they are not decorative. Response Control alters the behavior of the e-motors and the accelerator pedal, Agility Control adjusts cornering characteristics, and Traction Control provides nine stages of intervention through the new AMG Race Engineer system. The driver can also reach key functions through two steering wheel buttons with their own LCDs.

The rest of the cabin leans hard into AMG theater. Illuminated climate vents are styled to resemble jet engines, while the flat-bottom steering wheel gets carbon accents and haptic feedback. Optional AMG Performance seats are available, and a metal-like wing element runs across the center console. Up front, Mercedes adds illuminated cup holders and dual wireless charging trays.

There is another eye-catching detail that one can observe, and that would be the Sky Control panoramic glass roof that can switch between two states – transparent and opaque – while at night it can project AMG logos or racing stripes across the glass in colors that match the ambient lighting system.

As for the rear passengers’ comfort, AMG hasn’t ignored that part, as it made more room for the legs, adding a more naturally comfortable knee angle for longer trips.

The full reveal is due this spring, with deliveries beginning later in the year. This will also be the first production model on Mercedes-AMG’s dedicated AMG.EA platform for future electric performance cars.

As for the concept that previewed it, that machine used three axial-flux motors producing a combined 1,341 hp (1,000 kW / 1,360 PS), along with synthetic V8 sound, Formula 1-derived cooling technology, and charging capability sufficient to add 249 miles (400 km) of range in just five minutes.

2027 Mercedes-AMG GT4 Coupe – Photo Gallery

Exterior

The grille dominates the conversation. Rather than shrinking in the EV era, the C-Class EV’s grille appears set to grow, with Mercedes positioning it as the car’s central visual element. In renderings from Kolesa, it features a larger LED-lit surface framed by a thick silver or chrome-finished bezel. There are also three horizontal slats and small LEDs integrated into the new design, while the headlights incorporate the star-shaped daytime running lights also seen on other new Mercedes models.

Moving towards the rear, the C-Class EV features slim LED taillights housed within a gloss-black panel that stretches across the width of the car.

Interior

Cabin details remain under wraps, though Mercedes has options within its existing portfolio. There might be a massive 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen borrowed from the GLC EQ, while the company might also feature the Superscreen layout also seen on the new CLA; this may be used to combine a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with a 14-inch central infotainment display and a matching 14-inch passenger screen.

Complete Powertrain Information

The Mercedes-Benz C-Class EV will stand on the company`s new MB.EA architecture, meaning that it will support a standard 94 kWh battery and 800-volt electrical system, enough to produce charging speeds of up to 330kWh. That might bring along up to 800 miles of range, way more impressive than the 713 miles provided by the GLC EQ. 

The whole electrical setup will also back up two electric motors in the C400 model, with power standing at around 500 horsepower, which will allow a 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5.0 seconds. AMG versions are also planned. One prototype has already been spotted testing on 21-inch wheels with carbon-ceramic brakes.

Conclusion

The electric C-Class appears ready to rely heavily on design to make its case, pairing an illuminated grille with substantial battery capacity and high-voltage charging capability. With a debut anticipated before the end of this year and a global launch scheduled for early 2027, the final verdict on its bold styling will not take long to arrive.

Mercedes C-Class EV – Renderings and Photo Shots

Spy Shots Source: carscoops.com