2018 Mercedes S-Class launched in India at a starting price of INR 1.33 Crore

The 2018 Mercedes S-Class has gone on sale in India. There are two variants on offer - S350d and S450 - priced at INR 1.33 Crore and INR 1.37 Crore respectively. Earlier this month, Mercedes-Benz launched the Maybach S650 in India at the Auto Expo.

On the outside, the 2018 Mercedes S-Class features subtle visual changes. The facelift features new MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, new radiator grille, reshaped air dam grille, larger side air intakes and restyled bumpers. At the rear, the flagship saloon gets new, crystal-look LED tail lamps, redesigned lower bumper section and redesigned exhaust pipes. The car rides on new 18-inch, 5-twin-spoke alloys.

Changes to the interior include a new, three-spoke steering wheel with touch-sensitive controls and 12.3-inch high-resolution displays housed under one glass cover. There's a 1520-watt Burmester surround sound system, which now includes a speaker in the overhead control panel and two speakers on the sides.

Mercedes-Benz will offer the S-Class with optional radar-based driving assistance systems, within the respective system limits, of course. These include

• Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC: Controls the distance to vehicles in front up to a speed of 210 km/h and if necessary brakes the vehicle with up to 50 per cent of the maximum braking power.
• Active Steering Assist: At speeds up to 210 km/h, Active Steering Assist helps the driver keep the vehicle in the centre of its lane on straight stretches of road or slight bends.
• Active Braking Assist: The emergency braking function can help to avoid or lessen the consequences of accidents with vehicles in front and pedestrians.
• Blind Spot Assist: It can warn the driver of vehicles in the blind spot during a lane change.

Drivetrains on offer include a new 3.0 L in-line 6-cylinder BS6 compliant diesel engine producing 286 hp and 600 Nm and a 3.0 L petrol V6 churning out 367 hp and 500 Nm. Both engines mate with a 9-speed automatic transmission. The OM 656 diesel motor makes the 2018 Mercedes S-Class the first made-in-India (assembled) BS 6 compliant car.

Also Read - Mercedes S-Class Old vs New

Speaking at the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Roland Folger, Managing Director & CEO, Mercedes-Benz India 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 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.