Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid spotted testing in China

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid has been spotted testing in China. This is the second new S-Class model that has been spied in China within a short time of the launch. Previously, the top of the line S500 variant was spotted (still sitting in its cargo pallet) at the Tianjin Binhai International Airport.  The 2014 S-Class will make its Chinese debut at the 2013 Chengdu Auto Show in September and then go on sale in October.

The S400 Hybrid uses a 3.5-litre hybrid mill that produces 306PS and 370Nm of torque. The engine has been mated to the German automaker 7G-tronic automatic gearbox which powers the rear wheels. The same engine is also expected to power the China specific E400L. 

The Chinese market is expected to get all the other petrol variants but only in long wheelbase version. As is the case across the world, the new S-Class will compete with the BMW 7-Series, Audi A8 and the Jaguar XJ and in the Chinese market is currently in second place behind the A8L.    

The People’s Republic is one of the fastest growing car markets of the new decade. The sales numbers run in millions and pretty much even dwarfs American market. It is currently a hot bed for every major manufacturer to showcase their latest wares and is pretty good reason why Mercedes-Benz is conducting much of its testing there.

For us more humble people in India, the new S-Class is expected to make its debut here by the end of the year and will go on sale in early 2014. Since we are one of the facilities of the German carmaker that assembles the S-Class we can expect to get all engine options and body styles when the car is launched.