Luxury carmaker introduces India’s first plug-in hybrid S-Class with 115 km electric range and prices starting at Rs 2.20 crore.
Mumbai, June 15, 2026: Mercedes-Benz India has introduced the new S 450 e, marking the debut of the first-ever plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) in the flagship S-Class lineup in India. The luxury carmaker says the launch reflects its flexible, powertrain-agnostic strategy and addresses growing demand for electrified luxury mobility among top-end customers.
The new S 450 e combines a 3.0-litre M256 Evo inline-six turbo-petrol engine with a 120 kW electric motor integrated into the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. Together, the powertrain produces 320 kW (435 hp) and 680 Nm of torque, making it more powerful than the conventional S 450 4MATIC. The luxury sedan can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.7 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
A key highlight of the S 450 e is its 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, which delivers a claimed electric-only driving range of up to 115 km (WLTP). Mercedes-Benz says the range is sufficient for most daily urban commutes, allowing customers to experience electric mobility without compromising long-distance usability. The vehicle automatically switches between electric and combustion power, ensuring smooth and virtually imperceptible transitions.
The launch also brings the most extensive update ever introduced within a single S-Class generation. According to Mercedes-Benz, more than 2,700 components have been newly developed, updated or refined. Exterior enhancements include new twin-star DIGITAL LIGHT headlamps featuring micro-LED technology, an illuminated grille that is around 20 per cent larger than before, and redesigned tail lamps with signature star motifs.
Inside, the new S-Class adopts the Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which integrates all vehicle systems into a single digital ecosystem. The sedan also receives the latest MBUX Superscreen, AI-powered “Hey Mercedes” virtual assistant, enhanced Zero Layer interface and Google Maps-based surround navigation.
The S 450 e comes equipped with AIRMATIC air suspension and rear-axle steering as standard. Safety has also been enhanced, with the plug-in hybrid becoming the first S-Class in India to offer 15 airbags, alongside advanced occupant protection technologies including PRE-SAFE systems.
Mercedes-Benz India has opened bookings for the S 450 e, with customer deliveries scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2026. The S 450 e Launch Edition is priced at Rs 2.20 crore, while the MANUFAKTUR Edition starts at Rs 2.38 crore (both prices ex-showroom, all-India).
