The new 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class has officially gone on sale in India today, and the model comes to our shores as a completely built unit or CBU car. The company’s flagship sedan will be available in two options – the diesel-powered S 400d 4Matic and a petrol version called S 400 4Matic, which are priced at ₹ 2.17 crore and ₹ 2.19 crore (ex-showroom, India) respectively. In fact, out of the initial batch of 150 units allotted for India, almost half have already been booked. The new S-Class is smarter, more feature-packed and much safer compared to its predecessor, and here’s all you need to know about the car.0Comments

1. The 2021 Mercedes-Benz S-Class is a flagship sedan, and its footprint is as large as its stature. Compared to the previous model, the new one is longer by 34 mm at 5289 mm, wider by 51 mm at 2109 mm and taller by 12 mm at 1503 mm. The wheelbase has also been extended by 50 mm to 3216 mm. Then, the new-generation S-Class offers 38 mm more elbow room at the front, while the rear gets 24 mm more legroom and marginally more elbow room and headroom than the outgoing model.Compared to the previous model, the new S-Class is longer by 34 mm at 5289 mm, wider by 51 mm at 2109 mm and taller by 12 mm at 1503 mm
2. In terms of exterior styling, the new S-Class continues to get the signature 3-pointed star hood ornament, along with the large chrome grille and aggressive front bumper with black elements. For the first time in India, the S-Class also comes with AMG exteriors and 20-inch AMG alloys. The car also gets what Mercedes calls Digital Lights, which optimally adjusted to other road users and the surrounding conditions. The car also gets retractable door handles along with a new sleeker set of LED taillight design.
   
3. The new S-Class gets an all-new cabin with two different upholstery options – Nappa leather sienna brown/black or all beige. The dashboard features an AMG-style flat-bottom steering wheel with a fully digital instrument display behind it. The highlight of course is the 12.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is the ultimate command centre, and due to which Mercedes was able to remove 27 buttons, knobs and dials from the dashboard. The cabin also sports new horizontal AC vents replacing the aircraft-styled units on the outgoing model.The new 12.8-inch OLED touchscreen unit offers most controls via touch or voice command
4. With regards to creature comforts, the new S-Class gets seats that come with a massage function and 10 different massage programs to choose from. The car also gets Mercedes-Benz‘s 2nd-gen MBUX system, which can be accessed via the 5 different OLED displays available inside the car, or simple using voice command – “Hey Mercedes”. The S-Class also gets a panoramic sliding sunroof, along with Burmester high-end 4D sound system, 30 loudspeakers and 8 resonators, and ambient lighting with over 263 optic LED lights throughout the cabin.The new S-Class gets seats that come with a massage function and 10 different massage programs to choose from
5. The new S-Class also gets numerous new or extended driving assistance systems that help in improving the driving conditions. It comes with Active distance assistant DISTRONIC, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active parking assistant with PARKTRONIC. The car also gets all-new rear-axle steering with a 4.5 degrees angle, which allows impressive manoeuvrability and agility in city areas. At the same time, the handling benefits from a virtual extension of the wheelbase at higher speeds.
6. The 2021 S-Class is also much safer now with features like segment-first rear-front-facing airbag, which bring the total count to 10 airbags, Mercedes’ Pre-Safe package, Pedestrian protection with active bonnet, 360-degree camera and more. The car also comes with improved environmental sensors, which helps the parking systems provide the driver with increased support when manoeuvring at low speed.The new S-Class gets a pair of 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol and diesel motors, paired with the EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system
7. Engine options include a pair of 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol and diesel motors, paired with the EQ Boost 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The 3.0-litre diesel engine in the 400d makes 326 bhp and 700 Nm and can get from 0-100 kmph in 5.4 seconds. As for the S 450 4Matic petrol, its 3.0-litre motor belts out 363 bhp and 500 Nm of peak torque, and this variant is slightly quicker and goes from 0-100 kmph in 5.1 seconds. Both engines are mated to a 9-speed automatic gearbox, with Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive (AWD) system also on offer.