Next-gen Mercedes-Benz S-class, E-class facelift India launch in 2021

SUVs may be finding more and more takers, but some sedans – such as the Mercedes-Benz E-class and S-class – remain as important as ever. The S-class continues to be Mercedes’ true flagship, every generation embodying every quality that is central to the brand. The E-class, on the other hand, continues to rack-up the numbers, and the long-wheelbase version has been a runaway hit in India. Now, we have confirmation that the next-gen S-class and the E-class facelift will launch in our market in 2021.

Speaking during the #LiveWithAutocar conversation on Instagram, Santosh Iyer, vice president, Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz India, confirmed the all-new S-class is set to be launched next year, but the launch will most likely be in the second half of 2021, keeping in mind any delays caused by the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. “Yes, the launch of the new S-class will be in 2021, but mostly we will see it in India only in the second half of next year. It will take time, more so bearing in mind the current situation we’re in,” said Iyer.

The current-gen S-class (W222) has been on sale in India since 2014 and is due to be replaced by the all-new S-class (W223), which is set to make its world premiere in September this year. Not much is known about it yet, but spy shots have revealed that it will have a large, waterfall-style screen on the dashboard with minimal buttons, and will get a variety of powertrain options, including petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid. Rumours suggest there will only be a long-wheelbase model, and Mercedes-Benz is likely to do away with the V12-engined S600 version, as well as the coupé and cabriolet variants.

Responding to a viewer’s query during the live chat, Iyer added the E-class – which has been on sale in India since 2017 and has set a new benchmark in its segment – will only get a mid-life update next year, as India is the only market in the world to get a right-hand-drive, long-wheelbase E-class, and the facelift was never part of the launch plan for 2020.

“With the E-class, we generally run delayed by close to a year when compared to the global lifecycle because the reason is, we are the only right-hand drive market in the world to offer a long-wheelbase E-class and these components are a mixture; we also need the global supply chain to get these cars up and running. The facelift is planned for 2021. It was never part of our launch plan for this year and it will take time because of the long-wheelbase issue and the components and the supply chain involved with that,” Iyer added.

The facelifted E-class was revealed at the start of March this year; and it gains a number of changes, both inside and out. International markets also get a variety of powertrains to choose from, including petrols, diesels, mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Expect the E-class facelift to sport a fair premium over the current model's pricing, which ranges from Rs 59.07-75.29 lakh (ex-showroom).