Mercedes-Benz S 450e PHEV: First-ever plug-in hybrid S-Class in India
The new Mercedes-Benz S 450e is indeed the most-advanced S-Class that Indian market has ever seen; the sedan is now available for bookings, with deliveries scheduled from the final quarter of 2026.
Mercedes-Benz has introduced the S 450e, the first plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the S-Class in India. The launch marks a new phase for the luxury sedan, bringing electrified driving to the flagship model while keeping the comfort and refinement the S-Class is legendarily known for!
At the center of the new S 450e is a hybrid powertrain made up of a 3.0-litre M256 Evo inline-six turbo-petrol engine and a 120 kW electric motor. The petrol engine produces 326 hp and 540 Nm, while the electric motor adds 163 hp and 440 Nm. Together, the system delivers 435 hp (320 kW) and 680 Nm of peak torque.
The battery pack is a 22 kWh lithium-ion unit, giving the sedan an electric-only range of around 115 km under WLTP testing. This seems fairly adequate for many daily city commutes without using the IC engine, which makes the S 450e especially relevant for urban use and shorter business travel in an eco-friendly manner.
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Aiding the hybrid system is a 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission and a rear-wheel drive system. Mercedes-Benz claims that the hybrid system is designed to switch between electric and petrol power smoothly, so the transition should feel natural to occupants during normal driving.
Most importantly, performance remains a strong part of the package. The S 450e can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 5.7 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph. For a large luxury sedan, these figures show that electrification has not come at the cost of usable performance.
The new S-Class also gets technical updates beyond the powertrain. Mercedes-Benz is offering AIRMATIC air suspension as standard, along with rear-axle steering at 4.5 degrees, which can be upgraded to 10 degrees. This helps improve low-speed maneuverability, especially in tight urban spaces.
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Other updates include the MB.OS operating system, new “Digital Light” headlamps with micro-LED technology, and up to 15 airbags in the S 450e for India. These additions make the new model more advanced, but the main story remains the same: Mercedes-Benz is bringing plug-in hybrid technology into its most important luxury sedan for the Indian market.
