May 2026 saw the launch of several interesting cars, including the 2026 Tata Tiago ICE and Tiago EV, Honda City facelift, MG Majestor and BMW M440i Convertible, along with special edition versions of the Mercedes GLE and GLS and Mini Cooper S. It appears that June 2026 is set to be a busy month, too, with an updated flagship sedan by Mercedes-Benz, a coupe-SUV by BMW and possible arrival of a Tata EV and a BYD PHEV.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift
Launch date: June 15, 2026
Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that it will launch the S-Class facelift in India on June 15, 2026. The plug-in hybrid S 450e variant that will be offered here comes with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline-six engine mated to an electric motor powered by a 22kWh battery. It is the first PHEV S-Class in India, with an output of 435hp and 680Nm and a claimed 0-100kph time of 5.7 seconds. The S-Class is expected to get a petrol powertrain at a later date, but it is unclear whether the manufacturer will continue a diesel option.
The grille is 20 percent larger, adorned with tiny chrome stars and an illuminated frame. The headlights are larger, too, featuring tristar daytime running lamps (DRLs), while the tail-lights are slimmer with tristar LED motifs. Inside, the S-Class’s dashboard has an MBUX Superscreen setup with the latest MB.OS operating system. It is now a software-defined vehicle (SDV) with over-the-air (OTA) updates and has fewer physical buttons, yet Mercedes offers a scroll wheel and a toggle switch on the steering wheel.
BMW X6 M60i
Launch date: To be revealed
BMW has opened pre-bookings for the X6 M60i, hinting at an expected launch in June 2026. It will be offered with a 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 mild-hybrid petrol engine that produces 523hp and 750Nm. An 8-speed AT sends power to all the wheels (AWD). The claimed 0-100kph time is 4.3 seconds, while the electronically limited top speed is 250kph.
The X6 has bold coupe-SUV styling, sleek LED headlights with ‘snake-eye’ LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), a gloss-black grille with vertical struts, and functional air intakes on the sides and the lower portion of the front bumper. It rides on 21-inch alloys with red brake calipers for contrast. The tail-lights are sleek, and the rear bumper houses dual-pod tailpipes on both sides. Inside, the dashboard gets a dual-screen setup and some ambient lighting elements on the passenger side. Features include dual-zone auto AC, powered, ventilated and heated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and a wireless phone charger.
Skoda Kodiaq RS
Launch date: To be revealed
After the Octavia RS, the next Skoda model with an RS badge will be the flagship Kodiaq SUV. It will also be the first Skoda RS SUV in India, expected to come as a CBU (completely-built unit) import. The international-spec Kodiaq RS gets a retuned 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that produces 60hp and 80Nm more than the regular Kodiaq. However, it is mated with a 7-speed DCT that sends power to all four wheels (AWD).
Compared to the standard model, it gets some design differences, including a black grille, a more aggressive bumper and sportier-looking 20-inch rims with red brake calipers. Inside, the Kodiaq RS has an all-black cabin with red accents and sportier front seats with integrated headrests.
Tata Sierra EV
Launch date: To be revealed
Tata’s next electric offering after the 2026 Tiago EV will be the Sierra EV, expected to launch this month. In the carmaker’s line-up, it will sit under the Harrier EV and will be offered with both rear-wheel-drive (RWD) and all-wheel-drive (AWD) versions. The battery pack options are yet to be revealed, but it is expected to have a real-world range of over 500km.
While the Sierra EV’s silhouette will be similar to that of its ICE counterpart, some teasers show a blanked-off grille and a distinct bumper design. The rims are likely to be aerodynamic. Inside, the eSUV will get a lighter cabin theme, but the dashboard will likely be similar to the Sierra ICE. It will lock horns with the Hyundai Creta Electric, Mahindra BE 6, Maruti Suzuki e Vitara and MG ZS EV.
New BYD PHEV
Launch date: To be revealed
BYD India released a teaser for its first-ever plug-in hybrid offering in India. While the manufacturer is yet to reveal the exact car with a PHEV option, it offers the Atto 2 and Sealion 6 with this powertrain in international markets.
The Atto 2 PHEV comes with a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol engine mated to a 7.8kWh or an 18kWh battery, with a claimed combined range of 928km and 998km, respectively. The Sealion 6, on the other hand, offers a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engines. Both are available with an 18.3kWh or a 26.6kWh battery, offering a claimed combined range of up to 1,092km.
Dhruv Dhaka
Glenn Noronha
Viraaj Bhatnagar
