Mercedes has confirmed that the 2018 S 350d will launch in India on February 26, 2018. What's special about this launch is that this S-Class will be the first made-in-India car to be BSVI-compliant, two years before it is slated to come into effect in the country. This was certified by our Road Transport And Highways minister Nitin Gadkari at an event in Mumbai last month. At the Auto Expo, Mercedes launched the flagship S 650 and S 560 Maybach at a price of Rs 2.73 and Rs 1.94 crore, respectively.

As is the case with most facelifts, the 2018 S-Class looks quite similar to the outgoing model, with subtle changes. On the outside there is a new set of bumpers which gets wider air dams, while the slats on the grille are now further apart. The headlamps now get the Multibeam LED units with 'Ultra Range High Beam'. This tech can scan the road’s surface, bends and more and then send the required info to the S-Class’s AI. The taillamps also get the full LED treatment, similar to ones seen on the E-Class LWB.

Inside, the subtle changes include a new three-spoke steering wheel with revised controls, three new upholstery options, updated single-piece glass display and wireless phone charging.

The facelift S-Class 350d will employ a ‘OM 656’ 3.0-litre, inline, 6-cylinder, turbocharged diesel engine which will replace the older 3.0-litre, turbocharged V6. Max power is now 285PS, an increase of 27PS, while torque has gone down by 20Nm, to 600Nm. But that's not the point of focus. Like mentioned above, the S 350d will emit 68 per cent less NOx (nitrogen oxide) when it runs on BSVI fuel. These particles are major contributors to smog, acid rain and the destruction of the ozone layer. Furthermore, the PM (Particulate Matter) which gets suspended in air and can easily penetrate the lungs and bloodstream of humans will also reduce by a more substantial 82 per cent. Mercedes also claims that the new engine is more fuel efficient by up to 6 per cent.

Prices for the S 350d will start from around Rs 1.2 crore. It will rival the likes of the BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 and Lexus LS500h.