Auto Shanghai 2017: Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift unveiled

The long awaited Mercedes-Benz S-Class facelift has been revealed at the Auto Shanghai 2017. As the name suggests it is a mid-life update for the German automaker’s flagship sedan and incorporates cosmetic and mechanical changes across the range. 

In terms of looks, the S-Class has been a major winner since it was launched in this generation in 2014 and it looks like this facelift carries on the looks. This mid-life update sees the car get a new face in terms of a revised grille, three-stripe full LED headlamps, sporty bumpers and re-profiled tail lamps. The cabin gets bigger screens both for the instrument panel as well as the passenger while the steering has moved from the classic two-spoke unit to a more conventional three spoke unit that is line with Mercedes’ latest design philosophy. 

Since its inception, the S-Class has always been known as a showrunner of technology that we can expect in our cars over the next 10 years and this one is no different. The cabin has been fitted with all the goodies like four-zone climate control, infotainment system, electric massaging seats and 64 hue mood lighting and 36 speaker Burmester audio system. However, the party piece here is that they can all be programmed to work together in different combinations to provide different kinds of ambiances to the occupants.     

This facelifted S-Class gets a revised petrol engine in the form of the S 560 variant. This is a 4.0-litre V8 petrol motor and has been tuned to produce 469bhp/700Nm. There will now be two diesel options in the form of the S350d and S400d. Both are 3.0-litre six-cylinder but produce 286bhp/600Nm and 340bhp/700Nm respectively. In addition, there will also be a new six-cylinder petrol unit which will be a hybrid model and is expected to come in the 3.0-litre displacement as was the case with the current range. All engines are expected to get the nine-speed AT. 

However, the newest feature additions to the S-Class family will the availability of assisted driving systems. With an aim to eventually move what is dubbed to be one of the best chauffeur driven cars in the world to a driverless option, the S-class has been fitted with a variety of such technologies. Dubbed Intelligent Drive this combines a variety of their driver aid technologies to assist in the driving process.  

This S-Class is coming to India and will be locally assembled as is the case with the current car. We can expect it here within the next six months and will be offered with both petrol and diesel engine options.  It will take on the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Jaguar XF and next generation Audi A8.