Mercedes-Benz unveils new S-Class; First made in India BS VI vehicle

India is still a few years behind the implementation of BS VI emission norms. However, Mercedes-Benz has become the first brand to introduce the BS-VI compliant vehicle in the country. Mercedes-Benz announced that their flagship model, the S-Class will be available with the cleaner engine. It has become India’s first BS VI vehicle that will be made in India.

Roland Folger MD, CEO, Mercedes-Benz India said,

“We are glad to fulfil our commitment to the customers and to the Government’s Vision of ‘Make in India’. The introduction of India’s first BS VI vehicle is a significant milestone and we strongly believe that this will pave the way for other manufacturers to introduce BS VI vehicles in India.”

The Mercedes-Benz S 350d gets the state-of-the-art engine and exhaust after-treatment technology. The new six-cylinder engine gets stepped bowl combustion process, two-stage turbocharging and also uses CAMTRONIC variable valve lift control. The engine also uses a combination of aluminium engine block, steel pistons and Nanoslide coating for the cylinder walls to reduce friction.

Mercedes says that even though BS IV fuel is used widely in India, the BS VI compliant S-Class will work effortlessly. The new BS VI emission norms mandate 82% lower PM limit than the BS-IV engines. Also, the NOx emission is 68% less the BS VI vehicles making them much cleaner vehicle.

Shri Nitin Gadkari Ji, Minister of Road Transport Highways & Shipping and Water Resource, River Development, & Ganga Rejuvenation commented,

“To mitigate the rising pollution in Delhi and adjoining areas, the Government is trying to advance BS VI grade fuel availability in Delhi NCT by April, 2018 and shift to BS VI norms by April, 2020 across the country. This will drastically reduce pollution and help us advance to better technologies used globally. I want to congratulate Mercedes-Benz for their efforts towards not only making safe vehicles but also for a greener vehicle, by introducing the first BS VI vehicle in India much ahead of the regulations.”

Mercedes-Benz has announced that the BS VI compliant petrol engine will be launched in the upcoming Mercedes-Maybach S-Class 560 and the diesel engine in the upcoming S-Class. Both the vehicles will be launched later this year.