India-spec Mercedes S 350d facelift unveiled with new BS-VI engine

Mercedes has showcased its new S-class facelift in India, the highlight of which is the German brand’s new in-line, six-cylinder diesel engine. The motor meets the upcoming Bharat Stage-VI emission norms even while running on the BS-IV fuel currently available in the country, making this the first made-in-India car to be BS-VI compliant. The Indian government is expected to roll out BS-VI fuel across the country by April 2020, there are plans to roll it out in Delhi by 2018.

Talking to Autocar India, Mercedes-Benz India CEO Roland Folger said that the company had faced the same challenge in Europe in 2010 when Euro VI emission norms was put into effect though Euro VI fuel wads only available at a limited number of locations. The company had to design the Euro VI engine to use Euro V fuel.

Mercedes claims that the new engine produces 68 percent less nitrous oxides, 82 percent less particulate matter and betters fuel efficiency by 6 percent than the outgoing V6 motor. The previous S 350d was powered by a 3.0-lite V6 diesel motor that produced 258hp and 620Nm of peak torque and was mated to a seven-speed automatic. However, the new 3.0-litre, in-line diesel mill (codenamed OM 656) is tuned to produce 286hp and 600Nm of peak torque. While torque is 20Nm down on the previous engine, power is up by about 28hp.

In terms of design, the S-class facelift gets new headlamps, tail-lamps and redesigned front and rear bumpers. On the inside, Mercedes’ refreshed flagship sedan gets tweaks to the cabin including a new 12.3-inch high-definition screen, wood and leather options for interior trim and seats, and a new seat-fragrance function along with ventilated seats.

An expected, launch date for the S 350d facelift is said to be sometime after the Auto Expo 2018. The German luxury carmaker has also confirmed that it will introduce a BS-VI-compliant S 560 powered by a new petrol engine, later in 2018. Mercedes is expected to introduce the refreshed Mercedes-Maybach S 650 at the Auto Expo, and showcase the E-class All-Terrain, its EQ electric SUV concept and a bevy of AMG-badged models.