Mercedes-Benz India launched the 2026 S-Class on June 15, 2026, opening bookings for the S 450e, the brand’s first plug-in hybrid S-Class in the country, at Rs. 2.20 crore (ex-showroom). The new variant pairs a 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine with a 22 kWh battery and a 120 kW electric motor, returning a claimed 115 km electric-only range. Deliveries will begin around Diwali in Q4 2026, the company said in its launch announcement.
The S 450e arrives as the first PHEV in Mercedes-Benz India’s top-end S-Class range, and the only plug-in hybrid in India’s Rs 2 crore-plus luxury sedan segment, where the BMW 7 Series is its closest rival.
How the S 450 e Powertrain Works
This is the first S-Class to feature a plug-in hybrid system in India, joining the existing petrol and diesel S-Class variants in the lineup. The S 450e combines a 3.0-litre M256 Evo inline-six turbo-petrol engine, now Euro 7 compliant and producing 326 hp and 540 Nm on its own, with a 120 kW (163 hp) synchronous electric motor mounted between the engine and the 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic.
Combined system output stands at 320 kW (435 hp) and 680 Nm, sent to the rear wheels. The 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack sits beneath the boot floor and returns a WLTP-certified electric-only range of around 115 km, enough to cover most urban commutes in major Indian cities without engaging the petrol engine. The brand says the battery can be topped up from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes using a 60 kW DC charger, and the system is rated to return 32.2 kmpl on the WLTP cycle.
Performance numbers put the S 450e ahead of the petrol S 450 4MATIC offered in other markets, which produces 280 kW (381 hp) and 500 Nm. The 0-100 km/h sprint is dispatched in a claimed 5.7 seconds, with the top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. Unlike most S-Class variants, the S 450e is rear-wheel drive only, a configuration Mercedes-Benz says is tuned for rear-passenger refinement.
Mercedes-Benz India describes the S 450e as the most comprehensively updated S-Class in a single generation, with over 2,700 components new or revised.
- Engine: 3.0-litre M256 Evo inline-6 turbo-petrol, 326 hp / 540 Nm
- Electric motor: 120 kW (163 hp) / 440 Nm
- Combined system output: 320 kW (435 hp) / 680 Nm
- Battery: 22 kWh lithium-ion
- 0-100 km/h: 5.7 seconds
- Top speed: 250 km/h (electronically limited)
Cabin Gets the Superscreen and 15 Airbags
The facelift brings the new MBUX Superscreen setup to the S-Class, comprising a 14.4-inch central OLED touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12.3-inch display for the front passenger. The screens run Mercedes-Benz’s latest MB.OS operating system, with the “Hey Mercedes” MBUX Virtual Assistant now offering deeper AI integration, an enhanced Zero Layer interface, and Google Maps-based surround navigation projected onto the augmented reality head-up display.
The dashboard design moves away from the wood-heavy layout of the outgoing model, and turbine-style air-conditioning vents sit at each end. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, along with dual wireless charging pads in the centre console, a 4-zone automatic climate control, and over-the-air (OTA) software updates. Rear passengers get 13.1-inch entertainment screens with built-in cameras that support video conferencing, paired with two smartphone-style removable control units.
Audio is handled by a Burmester 4D surround sound system with 31 speakers, eight seat exciters, 1,610 W of output, and Dolby Atmos support. Safety equipment now extends to 15 airbags, the first time this count has been offered on any car in India, alongside a Level-2 ADAS suite covering adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and a surround-view camera system.
Two Trims, One Powertrain
The S 450e is offered in two trims at launch. The Launch Edition Exclusive Line opens at Rs 2.20 crore, and the Manufaktur Edition AMG Line begins at Rs 2.38 crore, both ex-showroom, all-India. The starting price is Rs 35 lakh higher than the pre-facelift S-Class, which was priced from Rs 1.85 crore, according to Autocar India’s launch report.
The Launch Edition introduces a special exclusivity package with the Exclusive Line trim treatment, while the Manufaktur Edition AMG Line opens the catalogue of Manufaktur paint and trim options to Indian buyers. India continues to receive only the long-wheelbase version of the S-Class, with the four-seat option adding executive rear seats whose backrest reclines up to 43.5 degrees, complete with heating, ventilation, and massage functions front and rear.
Mercedes-Benz has not announced pricing for the existing S 450 petrol and S 350d diesel variants alongside the new plug-in hybrid.
| Variant | Price (ex-showroom, all-India) |
|---|---|
| S 450e Launch Edition Exclusive Line | Rs 2.20 crore |
| S 450e Manufaktur Edition AMG Line | Rs 2.38 crore |
Suspension, Steering, and the Subtle Sheet Metal
Outside, the most visible change is a 20 percent larger illuminated grille accented with three-dimensional chrome star elements, paired with new twin-star Digital Light headlamps using micro-LED technology. Mercedes says the high-beam illumination field is roughly 40 percent larger than before, with projection reaching up to 600 metres ahead. At the rear, the tail-lamps now incorporate three chrome-framed signature star motifs. New 18-inch alloy wheel designs and additional standard paint colours complete the visual update.
Underneath, AIRMATIC air suspension comes as standard, and the cloud-connected E-Active Body Control system uses Car-to-X information shared by other Mercedes-Benz vehicles through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud to prepare the suspension in advance for speed bumps and road imperfections. Rear-axle steering is standard at 4.5 degrees and can be upgraded to 10 degrees as an option, which Mercedes says cuts the turning circle by nearly two metres.
The Rival the S 450 e Leaves Behind
In India, the S 450e’s only direct rival is the BMW 7 Series, and it is the only model in the Rs 2 crore-plus luxury sedan segment to offer a plug-in hybrid option. The 7 Series is sold in petrol and diesel variants locally and does not currently offer a PHEV powertrain in the Indian market, putting Mercedes in a category of one for buyers who want electric-only running in this segment. The BMW i7 sits alongside the 7 Series as a fully electric alternative.
Mercedes-Benz India has reported that electric vehicles make up about 20 percent of its top-end sales, and the PHEV option now lets the brand’s flagship sedans participate in that mix. The S 450e is also the first car in India to carry 15 airbags, a safety count no rival currently matches.
When Buyers Can Take Delivery
Bookings for the S 450e commenced on June 15, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz dealerships across the country. Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q4 2026, around the Diwali festive season.
Mercedes-Benz follows a flexible, powertrain-agnostic strategy, and bringing a PHEV to the S-Class for the first time in India reflects exactly that. There is growing demand for a plug-in hybrid among our top-end customers, and the S 450 e PHEV answers it directly. With ICE, BEV and PHEV powertrains now in our line-up, customers have the flexibility to choose the one that suits them best.
That was Santosh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India, speaking in the company’s launch release. The S-Class product page on the Mercedes-Benz India site is open for configurator browsing, and the first-drive review of the 2026 S 450e covers the car in greater detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the new Mercedes-Benz S 450e in India?
The S 450e Launch Edition Exclusive Line is priced at Rs 2.20 crore, and the Manufaktur Edition AMG Line starts at Rs 2.38 crore, both ex-showroom and all-India. Bookings opened on June 15, 2026.
What is the electric-only range of the S 450e?
The 22 kWh battery delivers a WLTP-certified electric-only range of around 115 km, according to Mercedes-Benz India. The battery can be topped up from 10 to 80 percent in 20 minutes using a 60 kW DC charger.
When will Mercedes-Benz India start delivering the S 450e?
Customer deliveries are scheduled to begin in Q4 2026, around the Diwali festive season. The S 450e is currently the only S-Class variant open for booking in India.
How many airbags does the new S-Class have?
The 2026 S 450e is the first car in India to feature 15 airbags, as confirmed in the launch release from Mercedes-Benz India.
What does the S 450e compete against in India?
The only direct rival in this segment is the BMW 7 Series, which is not offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain in India, leaving the S 450e as the only PHEV in the Rs 2 crore-plus luxury sedan category.
