tech2 News StaffJun 17, 2021 13:10:49 IST
Mercedes-Benz India has followed up the launch of the Maybach GLS 600 ultra-luxury SUV with the launch of the 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class, with prices starting at Rs 2.17 crore. Revealed in the second half of 2020, the new-generation S-Class (known internally by its codename V223) is being shipped to India initially in completely built-up (CBU) form, and will be available in fully-loaded ‘Launch Edition’ guise in two versions – the diesel S 400 d 4MATIC (priced at Rs 2.17 crore) and the petrol S 450 4MATIC (priced at Rs 2.19 crore, both prices ex-showroom, India).
The new S-Class is said to be a clear leap over the outgoing model on the technology, comfort and safety fronts. The ‘Launch Edition’ of the S-Class – limited to 150 units – gets select high-end features that may or may not be available on the standard S-Class variants that will follow later. Mercedes-Benz India has confirmed that more than half of the 150 Launch Edition allotments for India are already booked.
Mercedes-Benz says the new S-class is one of the most aerodynamically efficient cars in the world, with a drag co-efficient of 0.22cd. Image: Mercedes-Benz
In its latest generation, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class is also more tech-heavy than ever. It features the latest MBUX infotainment system (with up to five OLED screens in the car), rear-axle steering and even a frontal airbag for rear-seat passengers.
Introduced in S 450 4MATIC and S 400 d 4MATIC forms today, the new S-Class gets 3.0-litre, six-cylinder petrol and diesel engine options. A plug-in hybrid version (with up to 100 kilometres of electric-only range) is also set to follow. Mercedes-Benz is also likely to bring the new-generation Maybach S-Class to India later this year.
There’s also an active ambient lighting system with a total of 263 LEDs. However, certain high-end features available for the S-Class abroad – such as the head-up display with augmented reality, and Interior Assist (which uses cameras to track movements of the car’s occupants and proactively trigger certain functions) – have been given a miss.
Part of the safety kit are a world-first frontal airbag for the rear-seat passenger as well as the Pre-Safe Impulse side function (part of the E-Active Body Control suspension), which lifts the car up by 80mm when it detects an impending side-on crash.
