Mercedes-Benz teased the all new facelifted S-Class ahead of its global debut at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show. The flagship sedan from Stuttgart will get a new range of engines along with a host of driving assistance systems including auto parking and autonomous driving systems.
Mercedes-Benz asserts that the facelifted S-Class will get new ‘assistance systems, new comfort features, new engines and further pioneering technologies”. The german automaker also plans to provide options of several new engines which may be fitted into the S-Class including the in-line six cylinder diesel and petrol engines as well as a new V8 biturbo petrol engine. In addition to that, Mercedes-Benz also plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid with an electric range of about 50km. Apart from that, a 48‑volt Integrated Starter Alternator and electric booster compressor technology will be showcased for the first time.
The new S-Class will also pioneer dedicated autonomous driving technology from the German carmaker. Driver intervention will be reduced further in the new S-Class thanks to the enhanced camera and radar systems. The Distronic Active Proximity control and Active Steer Assist get advanced control over the vehicle with a better understanding of driving behaviour as well, thus taking the S-Class further in the fully autonomous league. The remote parking assist will also be a part of the package.
On the exterior, the new S-Class will get a revised grille and a new headlamp design. A new exhaust tip, new design alloy wheels and a re-designed bumpers will also be a part of the update. On the inside, the Maybach inspiration will continue with a new steering wheel and infotainment system.
The all-new S-Class will make its public debut at the Shanghai stage. Parked alongside it will be the A-Class Sedan Concept, which will be a preview to the newest member of the Mercedes-Benz’s sedan family. Sales of the new S-Class will commence in European markets in July. As far as an Indian launch is concerned, Mercedes-Benz introduced the current S-Class in India just six months after its global debut and it may be the same story this time around too with the 2018 S-Class. Since Mercedes-Benz already has the infrastructure in place to assemble the S-Class locally, we believe that they will introduce the car through the CKD route straight away.
