Volkswacht Bodensee - News from Lake Constance, St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen, Switzerland, Europe and the whole world

When Mercedes‑Benz unveiled the 2026 S‑Class, it was clear that this was no ordinary facelift. Engineers replaced or refined more than 2,700 components, meaning over half of the vehicle is new. The changes begin on the outside: a 20 percent larger grille filled with hot‑stamped chrome stars projects a grander presence, while the traditional hood ornament now illuminates as part of the car’s striking light signature. Mercedes’ trademark three‑pointed star motif also appears in the headlights and taillights, underscoring the brand identity with refined opulence. Optional 20‑inch cross‑spoke wheels use high‑pressure casting to reduce weight and material consumption, and customers can choose from more than 150 paint colours.Digital light and starry illuminationLighting technology takes centre stage on the facelifted S‑Class. New micro‑LED Digital Light headlamps cut energy consumption in half while offering ultra‑range high beams that illuminate up to 600 metres ahead. The headlamps and taillamps embed miniature three‑pointed stars in their lenses, and the lights can project patterns such as welcome animations or warnings for oncoming drivers. These lamps are paired with a 20 percent larger grille outlined by a luminous frame and an illuminated bonnet star. At the rear, triple‑pod taillights with a star pattern and chrome accents contribute to a wider stance.An interior defined by screens and AIInside, the S‑Class adopts the MBUX Superscreen architecture. A 14.4‑inch central display is flanked by twin 12.3‑inch screens—one for the driver and another for the front passenger—forming a sweeping glass surface. Rear passengers enjoy two 13.1‑inch high‑definition displays with built‑in cameras. Mercedes’ latest software platform, MB.OS, underpins the cabin: it unifies navigation, vehicle systems and voice assistants. Generative AI powers the “Hey Mercedes” virtual assistant, enabling complex dialogue through voice assistants based on ChatGPT‑4o and Google Gemini. Navigation relies on Google Maps‑based data to provide real‑time traffic and 3‑D surroundings. Even the air vents are electronically controlled through Digital Vent Control, and an updated Energizing Air Control system filters cabin air for maximum purity.Comfort innovationsAlthough the cabin brims with screens, Mercedes preserved its luxurious ambience. Heated seatbelts can warm occupants to 44 °C (111 °F), while detachable remote controls allow rear passengers to adjust seat functions, climate and entertainment. The expanded Manufaktur programme offers nearly 50 bespoke paint finishes and 25 leather options, emphasising individuality. The interior retains high‑quality materials and adds Digital Vent Control for precise airflow. Mercedes has also equipped up to 10 external cameras, five radar sensors and twelve ultrasonic sensors, enabling advanced driver assistance and environment awareness.Handling and suspensionThe 2026 S‑Class comes standard with rear‑wheel steering that turns the rear wheels up to 4.5 degrees, reducing the turning circle by nearly two metres. Buyers can upgrade to an optional 10‑degree system for even tighter manoeuvrability. E‑Active Body Control, an active suspension that reads the road ahead, uses cloud‑sourced Car‑to‑X data to adjust damping at each wheel and can lift the car within milliseconds to mitigate side‑impact forces. This predictive suspension works alongside AIRMATIC air springs and electronically controlled dampers, delivering a blend of comfort and agility.

India thrashed Pakistan by 61 runs in a blockbuster T20 World Cup match in Colombo on Sunday to book their spot in the Super Eights stage of the tournament.

England travelled north to face Scotland in the Six Nations buoyed by a 12-game winning streak but came unstuck at Murrayfield, raising fresh questions about their ability to cope under intense pressure.

"Wuthering Heights," Emerald Fennell's steamy adaptation of the classic Emily Bronte novel, charmed moviegoers in North America over the four-day US holiday weekend, raking in $40 million, industry estimates showed Sunday.

Rayo Vallecano waltzed to a 3-0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Sunday in La Liga, leaving Diego Simeone's side 15 points behind leaders Real Madrid.

Dutch speed skating star Jutta Leerdam was pipped to her second gold medal at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics by her teammate Femke Kok in a thrilling 500 metres contest on Sunday.

India routed their bitter rivals Pakistan by 61 runs on Sunday to qualify for the next round of the T20 World Cup in a showdown that had been in doubt until a few days ago.

France turned on the flair with a devastating eight-try show of power as they thrashed Wales 54-12 in their Six Nations meeting at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff on Sunday.

Rio de Janeiro on Sunday kicks off three days of dazzling carnival parades with a tribute to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva that the opposition has criticized as early election campaigning ahead of October polls.

Great Britain celebrated their first-ever Winter Olympics gold on snow on Sunday after Charlotte Bankes and Huw Nightingale teamed up to take gold in the mixed team snowboard cross.

Australian Alex de Minaur won the Rotterdam Open at the third time of asking Sunday, producing typical counterpunching tennis to overcome Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-3, 6-2.

Leeds survived an FA Cup scare to reach the fifth round with a penalty shoot-out victory against second-tier Birmingham on Sunday.

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo became the first Winter Olympian to win nine gold medals when he led home his country's 4 x 7.5 kilometre relay team on Sunday.

India and Pakistan fans on both sides of the border could barely contain their excitement as the blockbuster T20 World Cup clash got underway, a fixture many consider the beating heart of the game.

Michel Portal, a French pioneer of European modern jazz and a prolific writer of film music, has died aged 90, his agent said Sunday.

Freestyle skiing star Eileen Gu has criticised organisers of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics over scheduling of training, pleading for fairness for athletes competing in multiple events.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Sunday that the United States does not want a "vassal" Europe, the day after a speech where he called on Europeans to embrace President Donald Trump's vision for "renewal" of the global order.

Ishan Kishan blitzed 77 off 40 balls to get India off to a flying start, but Pakistan fought back to restrict their arch-rivals to 175-7 in their hotly anticipated T20 World Cup showdown in Colombo on Sunday.

Mikaela Shiffrin looked on the bright side of her latest failure to end her Olympic medal drought after the US ski star only finished 11th in Sunday's giant slalom at the Milan-Cortina Games, which was won by Federica Brignone.

England travelled north for the latest Calcutta Cup clash on a 12-game winning streak whereas Scotland had lost all their previous seven Tests against teams ranked in the world's top 10.

Evergreen Italian Federica Brignone won a glorious second gold medal of the Milan-Cortina Games on Sunday as Mikaela Shiffrin faded, while Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo became the first Winter Olympian in history to win nine gold medals.

Marseille sporting director Medhi Benatia announced on Sunday that he was leaving his role at the crisis-hit French club, just days after the departure of coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Federica Brignone completed a Winter Olympic fairy tale on Sunday after claiming her second gold of the Milan-Cortina Games, as out-of-sorts Mikaela Shiffrin again missed out on the medals.

Federica Brignone won her second Olympic gold of the Milan-Cortina Games on Sunday after storming to victory in the giant slalom, but Mikaela Shiffrin's medal misery continued.

Welshman Elfyn Evans completed a superb weekend in his Toyota with his third victory at Rally Sweden on Sunday which lifts him to the top of the early championship table.

India captain Suryakumar Yadav and his Pakistan opposite number Salman Agha did not shake hands at the coin toss for their T20 World Cup showdown in Colombo on Sunday.

The "ultra-left" in France was behind the deadly beating of a French youth aligned with the far right whose death has inflamed political tensions in the country, the justice minister said on Sunday.

Premier League strugglers Nottingham Forest hired Vitor Pereira as their fourth manager this season on Sunday.

Norwegian cross-country skier Johannes Klaebo became the first Winter Olympian to win nine gold medals when he led home his country's 4x7.5 kilometre relay team on Sunday.

Canada's "King of the Moguls" Mikael Kingsbury signed off his Olympic career in style on Sunday, winning the men's dual moguls to collect his fifth medal at a Winter Games.

The start of this year's Berlin Film Festival was marked by a row over how far film should venture into politics but for prominent French-Palestinian actor Hiam Abbass, "everything we do is a political act".

Team combined gold medallist Tanguy Nef will aim to put a dose of "imposter syndrome" behind him to lead Swiss hopes in the men's slalom on Monday, the final event of the alpine skiing programme in Bormio.