Mercedes-Benz on Monday launched the new S-Class facelift in India at Rs 1.33 crore for the diesel engine S 350d and Rs 1.37 crore for the petrol engine S 450 (all prices, ex-showroom, India). The 2018 S-Class 350d is India’s first “BS VI compliant- Made in India, for India” vehicle with a state-of-the-art diesel engine that meets BS VI emission norms, two years ahead of the regulation. The car’s new inline-six cylinder engine, which replaces the previous 3.0-litre V6 diesel, is the most powerful diesel unit ever to be made by Mercedes-Benz India. The 3.0-litre BS VI engine, producing 286 horsepower, has been re-engineered by Mercedes-Benz India only for the country to run on BS IV fuel. The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S 450 is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine that churns out 367hp and 500Nm of peak torque. In both the cars, the engines are mated to nine-speed G-Tronic automatic transmission. The Bharat Stage VI emission norms are set to be implemented from 1st of April 2020. The Indian government decided to skip Bharat Stage V regulations and move straight to BS VI.
Mercedes-Benz India’s Managing Director & CEO Roland Folger said, “True to its legacy, the S-Class has emulated its global success in India and has had a phenomenal run in the country. To continue and build on this success, we have introduced the new version of our flagship saloon, which reaffirms its leadership status. This time round, it is not just intelligent, but also a responsible luxury. By launching the first ever ‘Made in India, for India’ BS VI car, we have set a benchmark among all car manufacturers to support the Government in mitigating the rising pollution levels in the country. The new S-Class brings together luxury, design, and technology that meet the highest standards of perfection, surpassing expectations for a vehicle of this class.”
In terms of the styling updates to the exterior, the S-Class facelift arrives with subtle design changes limited to new triple-striped LED headlamps, slightly redesigned tail-lamps and re-profiled bumpers. Inside the cabin, the 2018 S-Class comes with a new, horizontally elongated, dual 12.3-inch touchscreen unit that make up the infotainment and the central command unit and add a futuristic appeal to the interior. In addition to that, also new are the leather and wood trim option for the interior inlays and seats sides, a new fragrance and 64 ambient lighting options. The new S-Class comes with the latest generation of radar-based driving assist system that includes features like active distance assist with emergency braking and active steering assist.
