2018 Mercedes-Benz S Class facelift luxury saloon launched in India

Mercedes-Benz has launched the country’s first ever BS-VI diesel car in the form of the 2018 face-lift version of the S Class luxury limo. Priced from Rs 1.33 crore onwards, the new S 350d comes with a new six cylinder that is designed to comply with future emissions legislation (RDE – Real Driving Emissions) and was showcased to the Indian media in January this year. The petrol powered S 450 is priced at Rs 1.37 crore, ex-showroom pan India.

The new diesel engine, which consumes seven percent less fuel, puts out higher power (286 bhp vs 258 bhp) but torque has dropped from 620 Nm to 600 Nm. As expected, power is transferred to all the four wheels via Mercedes’ 4MATIC tech via the 9G-TRONIC transmission.

The highlight here is the engine’s ability to meet the upcoming BS-VI emission norms. The PM limit in the BS–VI Diesel engine is lower by 82% than that of BS-IV Diesel units. There is also a drastic reduction in the NOx emissions level by 68% with the introduction of BS VI laws that will be implemented by April 2020.

The new S will also be available with a 367 bhp / 500 Nm petrol engine as the S 450. This version is priced at Rs 1.37 Cr (ex-India)

The face-lift S Class gets revised headlamps with Multibeam LEDs, LED tail lights with crystal look and different bumpers at both the ends. The cabin remains its strongest point which helped it clinch the title of the world’s best selling luxury saloon in 2016. The interiors have been further beefed up with two new 12.3 inch screens, new leather and wood options to suit your taste and new lightning options with 64 colors. You also get a panoramic sliding sunroof. And the rear seats can be reclined to as much as 43.5 degrees.

The new S also comes with driving assistance package as standard. The S Class locks horns with the BMW 7 Series, Audi A8L and Jaguar XJL in India and will be offered with Star Ease packages starting at Rs 80,000 for a period of two years : this is lower than the outgoing version. Here is a quick look at the product film

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kkqZVKYnTw