New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Facelift Teased For Malaysia, No More S400h

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia is expected to host a double-launch for its flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class models in the coming weeks; the S-Class sedan and the ‘Dream Cars’ range S-Class Coupe and S-Class Cabriolet.

Two teaser images have since been uploaded to the company’s official Instagram page, one showing the headlamp of the new S-Class sedan and the other showing the rear of the new S-Class Cabriolet.

While the updated S-Class is technically a mid-lifecycle facelift, changes are quite extensive. Assuming that our local models will share the same petrol engines as the European market models, the new S-Class will feature a new M256 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine, replacing the previous model’s V6. In Europe, the six-pot engine is available in two different states of tune. 

The base model S450 is tuned deliver 367 hp and 500 Nm while the S500 pushes out 435 hp and 520 Nm. Both engines are micro/mild hybrids, utilizing 48V electrical systems to power an intergrated starter/alternator to assist the engine, the keyword being ‘assist’ as the motor is not powerful enough to independently drive the vehicle. The turbocharger's turbines are spooled not just by exhaust gases but also by electric power, spinning it to 70,000 rpm in just 300 milliseconds for a seamless engine response. 

However in some right-hand drive markets like South Africa, Singapore, and Australia, the S450 uses a 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 from the 43 series AMG models. It is left to be seen if Malaysia will be getting the latest inline six-cylinder or the existing V6.

The full-hybrid S400h from the pre-facelift model has since been dropped, replaced by the S560e plug-in hybrid. However we understand the S560e has been pulled out from quite a number of markets, for reasons that we can’t quite confirm yet.

There’s also the 4.0-litre twin turbo V8-powered S560 and 6.0-litre twin turbo S600 but these are unlikely to be offered in Malaysia. Of course, money solves everything and Mercedes-Benz Malaysia have in the past, arranged for special orders for their more discerning customers so we don’t expect things to be any different this time around.

Highlights of the new S-Class include Intelligent Drive semi-autonomous driving functions, and an expanded/improved range of advanced driving assistance features. The latter now features an improved adaptive cruise control that utilizes GPS navigation data for improved efficiency.  

As before, the S-Class sedan will be locally assembled (likely to be only the S450) but since it's no longer a hybrid, it won't enjoy the same amount excise duty rebates as before, which would also mean that the new S-Class is likely to be a lot more expensive than the outgoing locally-assembled S400h's price of RM598,888. Prices are rumoured to be slightly below RM700,000.

The S-Class Cabriolet was never officially sold here and as for the S-Class Coupe, the pre-facelift model was previously priced at RM1,493,888, for the S63 Coupe, the only variant available.