We had earlier reported exclusively that Mercedes-Benz will bring the 2026 S-Class facelift to India with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the company has now confirmed its launch on June 15. Indicative estimates suggest the facelifted S-Class to cost between Rs 2 crore and Rs 2.4 crore, ex-showroom. This is the first time the carmaker's flagship sedan will be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in India, while petrol and diesel options are expected to be added later.
2026 Mercedes S-Class facelift hybrid powertrain details
As we had reported earlier, the carmaker is bringing the S 450e with EQ Hybrid Technology variant to India. It pairs a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-six with an electric motor for a combined output of 435hp and uses a 22kWh battery that is claimed to deliver up to 100km of pure-electric range (in ideal conditions). This allows it to accelerate from 0-100kph in 5.7 seconds. The S 450e is rear-drive only, thanks to the battery pack, which weighs 2,465kg.
The S 450 petrol variant uses the same 3.0-litre 'M256 Evo' turbo-petrol engine, but without the plug-in hybrid setup. It does get a 48V mild hybrid system that can provide a temporary boost of additional power and torque under hard acceleration. Its 404hp output is less than the hybrid variant; however, it gets Mercedes' 4Matic AWD system and does the 100kph sprint from rest in 4.9 seconds.
Speaking of the S 350d diesel variant, it uses a 3-litre six-cylinder unit producing peak outputs of 330hp and 650Nm. Like the S 450, the drive is sent to all four wheels in the S 350d as well.
2026 Mercedes S-Class interior and features
The earlier flowing dashboard with wood trim and a vertical touchscreen has been replaced by a gloss black panel with three screens, Superscreen in Mercedes speak. The 12.3-inch driver and passenger displays sit on either side, while the main highlight is the 14.4-inch central touchscreen that controls most of the car's functions. The S-Class also gets the latest MB OS system, the newest generation of the brand's MBUX digital architecture. Mercedes says it acts like a central computer for the car, controlling everything from the headlights and cameras to the powertrain and suspension. The system also brings AI-based features, including a digital assistant powered by ChatGPT, Gemini and Bing, along with Google Maps-based navigation and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) functions. The S-Class is now a software-defined vehicle (SDV) and can receive over-the-air updates.
Like the E-Class, all vents are powered and can be adjusted digitally, though they can still be adjusted manually. The current S-Class had already reduced the number of physical buttons, and the facelift continues that approach. Only a slim row of capacitive shortcut keys remains below the screen. The earlier fingerprint scanner has also been removed, with facial recognition now handling user identification through the dashboard camera. That camera can also be used for video calls, selfies and cabin monitoring when the car is parked. Mercedes has, however, added a scroll wheel and toggle switch on the steering wheel to make controls easier to use while driving.
Rear passengers still get two 13.1-inch entertainment touchscreens mounted behind the front seats, but the earlier rear controller tablet has been replaced by two smaller touch controllers that look more like smartphones. The S-Class continues with adaptive air suspension as standard, while active self-levelling suspension remains optional. Rear-wheel steering is also available, with the 4.5-degree setup now standard and the 10-degree version offered as an option.
2026 Mercedes S-Class exterior changes
As per Mercedes, the front grille is 20 percent larger than the outgoing S-Class, with small chrome stars set into the slats and an illuminated frame. The three-pointed star bonnet badge is also illuminated, and the headlamps are larger too, with a pair of three-pointed star DRLs in each unit. They also use the carmaker's latest micro-LED Digital Light tech, producing 40 percent more illumination while being lighter and using less energy.
From the side, the changes are harder to notice. There are new wheel designs, including detailed 50-spoke wheels made using a new high-pressure casting process. Mercedes has also added new standard paint shades, many of them borrowed from the Manufaktur range.
There are more sensors as well, with 10 cameras, five radars and 12 ultrasonic sensors to support the updated ADAS suite. As for the rear profile, the main change is slimmer tail-lamps, which now feature three-pointed star LED motifs.
Dhruv Dhaka
Glenn Noronha
Viraaj Bhatnagar
