Mumbai: India’s most desirable luxury carmaker Mercedes-Benz India, launched its first-ever Plug-In-Hybrid in the flagship S-Class — the S 450 e Launch Edition. This represents a new chapter in Mercedes-Benz’s powertrain-agnostic strategy by offering a world-class PHEV, bringing the quiet capability of electric mobility to India’s top-end luxury limousine segment. The S 450 e is refined in every detail, delivering the most comprehensive update in a S-Class in a single generation ever, with over 2,700 components new or revised.
A New Standard for Electrified Luxury
At the heart of the S 450 e is the updated 3.0-litre M256 Evo inline-six turbo-petrol engine, now Euro 7 compliant, producing 326 hp and 540 Nm on its own. Integrated with a 120 kW (163 hp) synchronous electric motor positioned between the engine and the 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, the combined system delivers 320 kW (435 hp) and 680 Nm of torque — making the S 450 e more powerful than the petrol S 450 4MATIC, which produces 280 kW (381 hp) and 500 Nm.
115 Kms of electric range:
The S 450 e’s 22 kWh lithium-ion battery provides a pure electric range of around 115 km (WLTP) — sufficient for most urban commutes in India’s major cities without engaging the combustion engine. The drivetrain continuously alternates between electric and combustion power during everyday driving, with the transition imperceptible to occupants. For longer journeys, the petrol engine is available on demand, eliminating range concerns entirely.
The S 450 e accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Unlike most S-Class variants, the S 450 e is rear-wheel drive only — a configuration that prioritises rear passenger refinement and contributes to the car’s distinctive character among the S-Class family.
The Most Extensively Updated S-Class in History
The 2026 S-Class extends well beyond the powertrain. The front receives new twin-star DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps featuring innovative micro-LED technology, delivering a high-beam illumination field approximately 40% larger than the previous generation, with ULTRA RANGE high beam projecting up to 600 metres ahead. The radiator grille has grown by around 20% and is now illuminated, accented with redesigned three-dimensional chrome stars. At the rear, newly designed tail-lamps with three chrome-framed signature stars reinforce the S-Class identity.
MB.OS in the New S-Class:
An intuitive and state-of-the-art system, the purpose-built Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS) is the supercomputer behind the new S-Class, powering every domain and connecting all systems into one intelligent ecosystem.
MBUX Superscreen and latest MBUX:
The standard MBUX Superscreen and latest-generation MBUX bring the AI‑based “Hey Mercedes” MBUX Virtual Assistant with natural dialogue, an enhanced Zero Layer interface, MBUX Surround Navigation based on Google Maps to the S-Class, turning interaction into an intuitive, human-like experience.
Chassis and Ride:
AIRMATIC air suspension is standard on the S 450 e, as is rear-axle steering at 4.5 degrees. The steering can be upgraded to 10 degrees, which cuts the turning circle by almost two metres — making tight parking spaces, narrow hotel driveways and crowded city centres noticeably easier to navigate. Using Car-to-X information shared by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud, the car prepares the suspension in advance for speed bumps and road imperfections.
Hallmark Safety:
Safety remains a hallmark of the new S-Class, with intelligent protection for every seat. It continues Mercedes-Benz’s safety leadership through an enhanced adaptive restraint system, including PRE-SAFE® Impulse belt pretensioners and up to 15 airbags.