[Sivacar]

Heard from one of the dealers that Mercedes-Benz is planning to launch the CKD version of the S-Class around October. The following details were shared.

Features removed from the CBU Launch Edition:

1) AMG Line trim and 20" Alloys (CKD will have 19")

2) Rear Axle Steering

3) Front Massage Seats (replaced with seat kinetics)

4) 4D Burmester (replaced with 3d Burmester 710 Watts amp)

5) S400d 4Matic variant (replaced with S350d RWD variant, the S450 with 4Matic is offered in CKD version)

The rest of the features are more or less carried over from the CBU version.

Expected to be priced around Rs. 1.72. ex-showroom. The CBU was priced at 2.17 for S400d and 2.19 for S450 ex-showroom

[Sahil]

Most things seem accurate. However I am not too sure about the S350d coming in. Since the GLS is also only available with the 400d engine it would not be fitting for it's older classier brother to come in with a lower tune engine at start.
1.7cr is a high price for a CKD, my hunch is that they will launch the 350d later at a lower price point

[audioholic]

Originally Posted by Sahil

Most things seem accurate. However I am not too sure about the S350d coming in. Since the GLS is also only available with the 400d engine it would not be fitting for it's older classier brother to come in with a lower tune engine at start.

I think I had mentioned this earlier. The 350d would be the entry level variant once the CKD route comes in with quite some feature deletions. Too bad they removed the seat massage function for that stupid seat kinetic feature which would hardly be experienced or used unless one is cornering hard. But I am curious to know what happens with the petrol engine since they got the lowest option in the CBU and would have to continue that now as well with only the equipment being removed. But between the diesels, I have hardly felt a difference between the 350 and 400. Its the petrol engines which offer a real difference between the 450 and 580.

[GTO]

Aha! After the rip-off launch edition, finally the CKD is here . Expensive, but still the best sedan in the world.

Originally Posted by Sivacar

AMG Line trim and 20" Alloys (CKD will have 19")

Hmmmm. Mercedes had told me the CKD will get 18-inchers. Guess they changed it later. Sucks because the 18s would be a more practical choice for India. Touring with 19s will be troublesome.

Rear Axle Steering

Boy, are self-driven owners going to miss this. The rear axle steering made u-turns in the S-Class CBU a breeze! It was quite surprising how relatively tighter the turning circle was for such a large barge.

Expected to be priced around Rs. 1.72. ex-showroom

My my, how prices are rising! The S-Class Facelift was launched at 1.33 crores ex-showroom in 2018. Mercedes knows that the S-Class customer isn't price sensitive and they have the best product in the segment (7-Series & A8 simply aren't a match), so might as well milk it for all its worth.

[316kmph]

1.7 Cr is almost 20% pricier than the outgoing car!! A few Mercedes’ launch edition S class cars are still available, it was overpriced by 25-30 lakh and this CKD at 1.7 Cr. again will be at least 12 -15 lakh overpriced. Mercedes is hoping their new National inventory pool strategy will ensure deep discounting, I suspect.

While the S class May be the best car, not sure if it is 40 lakh (on road) better than the LCI 7 series, especially when the new S is not coming packed with tech and equipment.

Rear axle steer and 400d would entice owners who drive their own cars, even occasionally, from the 7 series. It would have killed the BMW’s flagship sedan - the only other series player in the segment (XJ is dead, A8 and LS are CBUs that averages single digit sales combined per month Pan India.)

Then there is the problem of ground clearance that’s being discussed elsewhere on this site. I read that even with the air suspension raised the CBU is a bit too low for India. I hope the CKD addresses this with some sort of a bad roads pack. Does anyone have information on this?

[Venkatesh]

Locally assembled Mercedes-Benz S-Class to launch on 7th October.

S-Class CKD is expected to be over Rs 40 lakh cheaper than CBU

Under the hood, the CKD S-Class will feature the same petrol and diesel engine options as its current CBU counterpart does.

Source

[Sivacar]

One more important update, the S Class will be sold as SKD, not CKD.

Requesting the moderators to change the title of the thread appropriately

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by Sahil

However I am not too sure about the S350d coming in. my hunch is that they will launch the 350d later at a lower price point

Originally Posted by audioholic

I think I had mentioned this earlier. The 350d would be the entry level variant once the CKD route

Originally Posted by Venkatesh

Attachment 2213884



Source

Looks like my hunch of the S400d launching in CKD maybe true.
The S350d might probably come in when the new 7 is around the corner

Originally Posted by Sivacar

One more important update, the S Class will be sold as SKD, not CKD.

Does a SKD over a CKD have a higher duty structure?

[Sivacar]

[QUOTE
Does a SKD over a CKD have a higher duty structure?[/quote]

Yes Sir, SKD attract around 30% import duties and CKD around 15%


https://gomechanic.in/blog/cbu-skd-ckd/?amp

[AamodB]

Originally Posted by Sahil

The S350d might probably come in when the new 7 is around the corner

That would be quite a long absence for the "entry" level S which probably sells the most units. The 7 Series hasn't even launched internationally and we can expect a wait of roughly a year before it's launched in India. If we assume that the 7 Series is launched in India in say Q4 2022 or Q1 2023, that would make it an 18 month absence for the 350d which is quite counter-productive to be honest.

I guess they could just do away with the 350d like you mentioned and introduce the 400d at a slight premium. Plus the Maybach is still due, which probably makes them the most money given the number I see on Delhi-NCR roads. Genuinely seems like the Maybachs outsell the C-Class

[Porcupine]

Originally Posted by Sahil

The S350d might probably come in when the new 7 is around the corner

And possibly with lesser equipment too like the did with the W221 S300cdi.

Originally Posted by Sivacar

1) AMG Line trim and 20" Alloys (CKD will have 19")

I hope they choose a tasteful design unlike the W222 S350cdi which initially launched with a shockingly bland alloy design.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by AamodB

that would make it an 18 month absence for the 350d which is quite counter-productive to be honest.

There is yet a huge semi conductor shortage. Hence production is low as is so why not milk it? Besides the people getting the CKD now are yet getting a “great deal” since it’s 50L cheaper than the CBU. This sentiment is enough to get people to pay these prices for the S400/450. Once the initial one year euphoria runs out they will have to get realistic and competitive. For the time being they will have enough buyers at these prices to keep their order books filled for 12-18 months, especially since supply is going to be low too.

[Venkatesh]

Made in India Mercedes S-Class to launch on 7th October at 12:30 PM.



Link

[Venkatesh]

Made in India S-Class launch tomorrow at 12:30 PM.



Link

[Venkatesh]

The made in India Mercedes S-Class unveiled, priced at Rs 1.57 cr for S350d and Rs 1.62 cr for S450



Price difference





The locally assembled New S-Class replaces the imported model's 330hp, S 400d 4MATIC with the 286hp, S 350d diesel engine.

The 367hp, S 450 4MATIC continues, with a 48V mild hybrid system.



Level 2 autonomous driving capabilities feature on the CKD S-Class



Made in India S-Class interior







Using the cloud and Mercedes me, owners will now be warned of bad roads, potholes , speed breakers and Weather hazards.







Source