Business Aviation
Airbus and Mercedes-Benz Launch ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition in São Paulo
Airbus and Mercedes-Benz unveil the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition with redesigned cabin and enhanced technical features in São Paulo, Brazil.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus Corporate Helicopters and Mercedes-Benz.
Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) has officially unveiled the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition, marking a significant evolution in the long-standing collaboration between the aerospace giant and the German automotive luxury house. The new model, which replaces the previous “Mercedes-Benz Style” iteration, was introduced today at an exclusive event in São Paulo, Brazil, a location chosen to underscore the city’s status as a premier global hub for executive aviation.
According to the official announcement, the 2026 edition introduces a completely redesigned cabin grounded in Mercedes-Benz’s “Sensual Purity” design philosophy. The update aims to align the helicopter’s interior more closely with the automaker’s top-tier vehicles, such as the S-Class and EQS, offering a seamless transition from road to sky for high-net-worth individuals.
The primary focus of this refresh is the cabin experience. ACH and Mercedes-Benz have moved away from the “Style” suffix, rebranding the aircraft simply as the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition. The interior architecture has been reworked to minimize visual noise, utilizing a “wrap-around” concept with curved panels and consolidated controls to maximize the sense of space.
Frederic Lemos, Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters, highlighted the maturity of the Partnerships in a statement regarding the launch:
“As a result of the renewal of the highly successful design collaboration which introduced the concept of partnerships between the automotive and aerospace industries in 2010, ACH and Mercedes-Benz have brought together the DNA of two icons: the versatile and robust ACH145 and the charisma of Mercedes-Benz. Today, discerning customers can travel in a Mercedes-Benz level of comfort and style, on land and in the air.”
The press release details six new interior “harmonies” available to customers, each named to evoke themes of exploration and the cosmos: Atlas, Meteor, Phoenix, Zenith, Polaris, and Solaris. These trims feature upgraded materials, including genuine wood flooring and premium leathers with coordinated stitching.
Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Mercedes-Benz, described the challenge of translating automotive luxury into an aerospace context:
“Our design language of ‘Sensual Purity’, which guides the development of all our products, has been aligned with the features that helicopter interior design entails. It embodies our understanding of luxury in the air. This design collaboration is very close to our heart, because creating a typical Mercedes space inside a helicopter is a great challenge and inspiration.”
The cabin retains its modularity, capable of accommodating four to eight passengers. The seats have been sculpted for improved ergonomics, and the lighting system now mimics the ambient lighting found in modern Mercedes-Benz automobiles. While the interior is the aesthetic highlight, the aircraft is built upon the latest H145 platform, which includes significant technical enhancements over the original EC145 models that launched the partnership in 2010.
Key technical data provided in the Launch materials includes:
The decision to launch this edition in São Paulo is a calculated move by Airbus. Brazil remains one of the largest markets for executive helicopters in the world, with São Paulo’s infrastructure heavily reliant on vertical lift for corporate transport. By debuting the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition here, ACH is directly targeting a mature market that values both utility and status.
Furthermore, the shift to the 5-bladed rotor system is not merely a technical footnote; in the VIP sector, cabin comfort is paramount. The reduction in vibration offered by the bearingless rotor system directly complements the “Sensual Purity” interior design, ensuring that the physical sensation of flight matches the visual luxury of the cabin. With a reported base price of approximately $15 million USD (subject to customization), this aircraft is positioned to compete aggressively against other light-twin VIP helicopters, leveraging the Mercedes-Benz brand equity to attract buyers who view their aircraft as an extension of their automotive lifestyle.
According to the release and subsequent Market-Analysis, delivery times for the new edition are currently estimated at two years due to high demand. The previous generation of the Mercedes-Benz style helicopter sold 26 units worldwide, a figure ACH aims to surpass with this updated offering.
What is the main difference between the new edition and the previous model? How many passengers can the ACH145 Mercedes-Benz Edition carry? What is the estimated price of the helicopter?
Airbus and Mercedes-Benz Reveal Redesigned ACH145 Luxury Edition in São Paulo
A “Sanctuary in Motion”: Interior and Design Overhaul
New Interior Harmonies
Technical Specifications and Performance
AirPro News Analysis
Market Availability
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 edition features a completely redesigned cabin based on the “Sensual Purity” philosophy, six new interior color schemes, and is built on the 5-bladed H145 platform which offers a smoother ride and higher payload.
The cabin is modular and can be configured to carry between 4 and 8 passengers, in addition to one or two pilots.
Market reports indicate a base price of approximately $15 million USD (€12 million), though the final cost depends heavily on the chosen customization options.
Sources
Photo Credit: Airbus