Mercedes-Benz has launched the locally assembled S-Class in India. The luxurious flagship saloon is now imported as a completely knocked down (CKD) unit and is being assembled at its Chakan plant. With this, the prices of the S-Class have been significantly dropped by up to Rs 60 lakh.
|
Mercedes Benz S-Class |
Previous Price (CBU) |
New Price (CKD) |
Difference |
|
S350d Diesel |
– |
Rs 1.57 crore |
Rs 60 lakh less from the previous base version |
|
S400d Diesel |
Rs 2.17 crore |
Discontinued |
– |
|
S450 Petrol |
Rs 2.19 crore |
Rs 1.62 crore |
Rs 57 lakh |
As the above table indicates, the S-Class now retails from Rs 1.57 crore to Rs 1.62 crore (ex-showroom India). The brand has also replaced the earlier S400d trim with a less powerful S350d variant. That said, it comes with the familiar OM656, in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine that makes out 286PS and 600Nm, 44PS and 100Nm less than the 400d's output. However, the in-line 6-cylinder petrol engine remains unchanged and will continue to produce a maximum grunt of 367PS and 500Nm of peak torque. Both engines come mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and get a 4matic all-wheel-drive system as standard.
Desing-wise, the locally-assembled S-Class remains largely unchanged except for the more composed front & rear bumpers and redesigned 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, it continues to boast a minimalist dashboard layout, featuring Mercedes’ latest MBUX-powered 12.3-inch fully-digital instrumentation cluster (customizable) and 12.8-inch infotainment display with facial, voice, and fingerprint recognition. However, the CBU's 31-speaker premium Burmester 4D surround sound system has been replaced by the Burmester 3D sound system.
The other notable highlights of this epitome of luxury include metal & wood finishes across the cabin, head-up display with augmented reality, 64-color ambient lighting, four-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, air suspension, autonomous parking assist, active distance assistance, active lane keep assist, lounge-like powered twin rear seats with leg-rest, soft pillows and massage functions, seat ventilation function, twin rear entertainment screens, and a 7-inch MBUX tablet on the rear armrest to control various in-car functions, and much more.
The Mercedes S-Class competes with the BMW 7 Series (Rs 1.38 – 1.69 crore) and Audi A8 (Rs 1.58 crore). However, despite the price drop, it is still the most expensive option in the segment.
