Mercedes Benz has revealed the new 2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-class a couple months after the debut of the new-generation S-class. Following S-class tradition, the new Maybach S-class promises to raise the bar for luxury limousines by offering greater interior space and a host of new comfort-oriented features.

Design:

At 5,469mm, the new Maybach S class is a  significant 180mm longer than the long-wheelbase version of the new S-class, which translates to the wheelbase, which is 3,396mm long – 31mm longer than even the outgoing Maybach S-class.

However, Mercedes-Benz has only made small exterior additions to help distinguish the Maybach from lesser S-classes. These changes

include the signature Maybach grille with slim vertical bars and a ‘Maybach’ inscription on top, a central chrome fin on the bonnet, a chrome applique for the lower parts of the front and rear bumpers, 34-spokealloy wheels, larger rear doors, Maybach insignias on the C-pillars and an optional two-tone paintjob with a ‘dividing line’, which can take up to a week to be completed.

Interior:

The Maybach S class retains the minimalistic interior design of the new S-class, while also including the second-gen MBUX infotainment system, a 12.8-inch tablet-style OLED infotainment screen, a 12.3-inch 3D digital instrument display and up to three screens for rear-seat passengers.

The interior also gets wood finishes for the front seatbacks, with a matching finish applied to the rear-centre console as well. The new Maybach S-class gets individual ‘Executive’ rear seats and a Chauffeur package as standard. The backrest of the Executive seats can be reclined by as much as 43.5 degrees, and the backrest of the front passenger seat can be tilted forward by as much as 23 degrees to free up even more room at the back, allowing the rear-seat passenger to stretch out and relax.

The Maybach also features a massage function integrated into the rear seat calf rests, a neck/shoulder heating function for the rear passengers, adaptive rear lighting, powered rear door opening and closing, an optional rear refrigeration compartment between the Executive seats and active road noise compensation included in the Burmester 4D sound system to produce counter-phased sound waves.

Other features include an active ambient lighting system, which employs 253 LEDs, a head-up display with augmented reality, along with an optional Interior Assist function, which uses cameras to track movements of the car’s occupants and proactively trigger certain functions.

Powertrains:

The new Maybach S-class gets only a 4.0L twin turbo V8 assisted by a 48V ‘EQ Boost’ mild-hybrid system that can provide as much as 20hp in short bursts. This powertrain can produce upto 496hp and 700Nm torque. A 9-speed automatic gearbox is standard, along with all-wheel drive.

The 2021 Maybach S-class also gets a rear-axle steering system, which turns the rear wheels by up to 10 degrees in the opposite direction of the front axle when parking, and by up to 4.5 degrees in the same direction as the front axle at speeds of over 60kph. This provide a tighter turning circle (11.2m) to the new Maybach S class.

Safety:

 The new Maybach S class is equipped with 18 airbags as standard.

Other safety features include the Pre-Safe Impulse side function (part of the E-Active Body Control suspension), which lifts the car up by 80mm when it detects an impending side-on crash. The E-Active Body Control suspension is a part of optional extras.

Like the standard S-class, the new Maybach S-class, too, gets Level 3 autonomous driving capabilities, and by the second half of 2021, will be able to drive entirely on its own on certain stretches with dense traffic upto a max speed of 60kph in Germany. As with all Level 3 autonomous-certified vehicles, the Maybach S-class will require the driver to be alert at all times and ready to take to the controls again, should the situation demand it.

Launch and price:

The new Maybach S-class will be launched in the first half of 2021 initially in China. An Indian launch is likely to happen only by the year 2022, only after the launch of the standard S500. When launched, the new Maybach S-class will be priced at around Rs.2 crore (ex-showroom).

Stay tuned for further updates.

Toyota India is preparing to launch the facelifted Toyota Fortuner by early next year. Bookings have commenced unofficially for the new facelifted SUV at select dealerships for an advance of ?50,000.

Exterior:

The majority of the upgrades will occur at the front end of the Fortuner. The new model will feature a new grille, LED headlights with LED DRLs, redesigned fog lights and a new silver skid plate. Other changes will include redesigned 18” alloy wheels and re-profiled LED taillights.

Interior:

The new Fortuner launched in

Thailand features an all-black interior with a new instrument cluster and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The Fortuner Legender edition also offers a powered tailgate with the swipe-to-open function, wireless charging and a 360-degree parking camera. Similar to the facelifted Innova Crysta, the new Fortuner will also include Android Auto and Apple carplay finally. 

Powertrains:

The first powertrain for the facelifted Fortuner will be the 2.7L petrol engine which produces 166 PS and 245 Nm through either a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox. The Thai-spec Fortuner gets a new 2.8L turbo-diesel engine which produces 204 PS and 500 Nm. This engine is expected to be introduced in the Indian model as well. While all the models will be 2WD as standard, only the diesel will get a 4WD option.

Price:

The current BS6 Toyota Fortuner is available from ?28.66 lakh to ?36.88 lakh (ex-showroom). The facelifted model is expected to cost around ?50,000 more.

Stay tuned for further updates on the new Fortuner.

Coming to the looks-The most noticeable change is at the front. The new re-designed bumper gets a new grill that integrates the central air vent. The side and rear profile of the Swift Dzire 2020 remain unchanged. The car’s exterior dimensions and boot space too remain the same. In terms of Interior changes- the only evident change was a lighter tone of the wooden look-alike elements.

Other features include dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, LED headlamps and Auto AC with rear AC vents. The2020 Dzire gets a new 4.2-inch coloured MID from the Suzuki Baleno and a new 7-inch touch

screen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new Dzire also gets auto folding ORVMs (outside rearview mirrors) and cruise control. The AGS variants (automatic transmission) from the previous models missed a most crucial safety feature like Hill Hold Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). These however have been updated in the new model.

Speaking of the most interesting part of the update-the 2020 Swift Dzire comes with a new engine. Instead of the earlier 1.2-litre unit (83PS/113Nm), it borrows Suzuki Baleno’s new 1.2-litre DualJet engine that produces 90PS and 113Nm mated to either a 5-speed MT or a 5-speed AGS. The new engine also gets idle auto start/stop (switches off the engine whenever the car is idle), making it a more economical car than it already was. The mileage of the updated Dzire also seems to have improved as claimed. The old model with manual transmission returned a mileage of 21.21 kmpl whereas the new model is expected to deliver 23.26 kmpl. Similarly in the case of the AGS variant, the old model returned 21.2 kmpl whereas the new model is expected to deliver 24.12 kmpl.

What comes with the updates of the Maruti Suzuki Swift Dzire 2020 is a hike in prices of the car. Prices for the base LXI variant have been increased by Rs. 5000 and it now costs Rs. 5.83 Lakhs (ex- showroom Delhi) whereas the prices of ZXI and ZXI+ variants have been increased by Rs. 16000 and Rs.6000 respectively. The price hike is also applicable to its AGS variants. Details of the new prices are mentioned below.

Price:

Variant	Old	New
LXI	Rs 5.83 lakh	Rs 5.89 lakh (+Rs 5,000)
VXI	Rs 6.73 lakh	Rs 6.79 lakh (+Rs 6,000)
VXI AGS	Rs 7.20 lakh	Rs 7.32 lakh (+Rs 12,000)
ZXI	Rs 7.32 lakh	Rs 7.48 lakh (+Rs 16,000)
ZXI AGS	Rs 7.79 lakh	Rs 8.01 lakh (+Rs 22,000)
ZXI+	Rs 8.22 lakh	Rs 8.28 lakh (+Rs 6,000)
ZXI+ AGS	Rs 8.69 lakh	Rs 8.81 lakh (+Rs 12,000)

Suzuki has filled in the blanks for the Swift Dzire by loading it with much needed features. But would the hike in price make you think twice before choosing this car? Do let us know