Mercedes S-Class Facelift is reported to feature new set of fuel-efficient engines for India along with a tweaked exterior and revised interior
The development of the facelifted S-Class sedan seems to have reached its final stages as the test mule wearing nearly no camouflage has been spied testing in a video on international roads. It competes against the likes of usual competitors like the Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series in Indian as well as foreign markets and is one of the key models in the portfolio due to its flagship nature.
The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will feature a tweaked front grille as it will be less inclined or more perpendicular compared to the outgoing model. The front and rear bumpers have undergone minor changes as well but the overall lavish silhouette and the signature design language are kept as similar to the existing version except receiving a rather sharper stance.
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Reports surfaced about the facelift suggest that Drive Pilot semi-autonomous driving technology, derived from the new generation E-Class, will be part of the package. It is said to be a significant step for the brand as it is mulling over introducing a fully-autonomous drive system in the not so distant future.
The biggest update on the inside will be the inclusion of enlarged touchscreen infotainment system alongside new interior trims. In the Indian luxury market, the entry of S-Class was witnessed three years ago and a mid-life upgrade is due in the middle of next year. To stick by the stringent BS-VI emission regulations, slated to come into effect by April 2020, the mid-cycle update will have new set of engines introduced reportedly.
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There will be upgrades to 48V electrical system and as for the powertrain a 4.0-litre bi-turbo V8 engine, that debuted in the ultra sophisticated AMG GT will be introduced first. A six-pot inline engine making 400 bhp could be fitted before 2018 as well. It produces lower CO2 emissions compared to the existing 3.0-litre V6 powering the S400.
The entry-level models will comprise of new 2.0-litre petrol turbo-four found in the CLA45 AMG developing 260 bhp. The all-new 2.0-litre diesel debuted in the latest E-Class will adorn the base variants while the bigger V6 3.0-litre diesel could be replaced by a fuel-efficient motor.
Source: Mercedes-Benz Prototypes