Right now, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class in India means one thing: the S 580 4MATIC at ₹2.875 crore, a petrol-only V8 chauffeur limousine. The next-gen version lands on October 5 and is likely to cross the ₹3 crore mark. That's a jump of over ₹12.5 lakh, so the real question is simple: what do you get for the money, and will India get the new hybrid V8 or a carryover petrol?
What's new: grille, MBUX screens, hybrid V8 (maybe)
This is a proper generation change, not just a paint-and-badge job. The biggest headline outside is a Maybach grille that's about 20% bigger, now with illumination (it lights up). Inside, the star of the show is a new MBUX Hyperscreen (the wide dashboard display setup) with sharper, larger screens. Under the bonnet, the global range gets a hybrid V8 making 603 bhp. But here's the catch for Indian buyers: our catalogue lists only the petrol S 580 at 496 bhp today, and the India engine plan for the new car isn't confirmed yet.
Exterior: 20% bigger grille and illuminated badges
The current Maybach S-Class already stands out with its upright grille, two-tone paint option and long, formal rear doors. The next-gen keeps that chauffeur-car shape but dials up the drama. The new grille is roughly 20% larger and gets illumination, so it glows at night. The Mercedes star and the Maybach badge on the C-pillar (the pillar behind the rear door) are also expected to light up. You can pick 20- and 21-inch wheels, with MANUFAKTUR and forged alloy options plus dual-tone paint finishes. It looks evolutionary, but the lit-up detailing makes it feel a class above.
Interior & rear cabin: this is where you actually sit
On a Maybach, the back seat matters most, and that's where the money has gone. The second row gets powered soft-close doors you can open with a button in the rear or through the MBUX Hyperscreen. Rear passengers get their own centre console and twin 13.1-inch displays. There's a 10-litre fridge built into the second row, plus ambient lighting with 199 LEDs and 64 colour choices. Up front, the new MBUX setup is expected to bring a 14.41-inch central screen, a 12.3-inch driver display and a dedicated front-passenger screen. The voice assistant is tipped to support Google Gemini, Bing and ChatGPT 4o, so you can talk to the car more naturally.
Powertrain: 603 bhp hybrid V8 vs today's 496 bhp petrol
Today's India car is the S 580 4MATIC: a petrol V8 making 496 bhp and 700 Nm of torque (pulling power), mated to a 9G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic. It's petrol-only, with no plug-in hybrid on sale here right now. The next-gen changes that globally. The S680 is expected to use a 4.0-litre V8 with hybrid help, good for 603 bhp and 850 Nm, aided by a small 23 bhp electric motor. The S580 abroad is expected to make 529 bhp. There's even an S580e plug-in hybrid globally with a six-cylinder engine and around 100 km of electric-only range. For India, both V8 and plug-in hybrid options are expected, but nothing is locked in, so wait for the launch-day spec sheet before deciding.
Price & variants: ₹2.875 cr today, ₹3 crore+ next
The current S 580 4MATIC sells at ₹2.875 crore (₹287.5 lakh), ex-showroom. The next-gen is expected to cross ₹3 crore, so budget a jump of at least ₹12.5 lakh. Remember, ex-showroom is not the final figure. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance, and that varies by state, which at this level can run into many lakhs extra. Whether India gets one trim or two (a petrol V8 plus a hybrid) will decide how the range is priced. That's the single biggest thing to watch on October 5.
Mercedes-Maybach S-Class — Price by variant
| Variant | Ex-showroom price |
|---|---|
| S 580 4MATIC | ₹2.88 crore |
(current price as of Sept 2026)
Rivals: BMW i7 M70 sits ₹35 lakh below
The closest price rival is the BMW i7, at ₹1.95 to 2.65 crore. Its top M70 xDrive60 sits about ₹35 lakh under the new Maybach's expected ₹3 crore, and it's a full electric car, something the Maybach range here doesn't offer today. The regular BMW 7 Series starts at ₹1.95 crore. Global rivals also include the Lexus LM and BMW XM, but note those are an MPV and an SUV, not sedans, so they suit a different buyer. If you want the traditional long-wheelbase chauffeur sedan feel, the Maybach still has few real matches.
Verdict: worth the jump, or wait for hybrid clarity?
Our take on the Maybach S-Class calls it the pinnacle of Mercedes luxury, a V8 4MATIC chauffeur limousine with a first-class rear cabin. The next-gen doubles down on that rear-seat brief with powered doors, 13.1-inch screens, a fridge and 199-LED ambient lighting. If you're a first-time Maybach buyer who lives in the back seat, the upgraded cabin makes the ₹12.5 lakh-plus jump easy to justify. For existing S 580 owners, it's more cabin polish than a full re-engineering, unless you badly want the new screens and voice AI. And if the hybrid V8 matters to you, hold off until Mercedes confirms the exact India engines on launch day.
References: Mercedes-Benz India — official website
