Although Mercedes-Benz as of late affords extra SUVs and folks movers than vehicles, the E-Class Sedan nonetheless in some ways defines the model.
The engineers who created the W124 E-Class Sedan within the Eighties, one of many Three Pointed Star’s touchstone vehicles, is perhaps aghast on the glittery ornament adorning its twenty first century successor – each inside and outside. However, they might recognise the easy competence of its powertrain, the studied confidence of its chassis, and the quiet effectivity with which its expertise lends the motive force a serving to hand.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, codenamed W214, is constructed on the identical MRA2 platform structure because the automotive it supersedes, and below its redesigned exterior is plenty of the identical powertrain and chassis {hardware}. Among the many key {hardware} adjustments nonetheless, has been a 20mm improve within the wheelbase, and the provision of rear-wheel steering which reduces the turning circle by as much as a metre.
When it comes to the outside design, crisp character strains over the wheels, a brand new front-end graphic that hyperlinks the grille and the usual LED headlights in a black panel, and new tail lights with a intelligent three-pointed star graphic, give the E-Class with subtly extra muscular street presence. Particulars resembling flush door handles and thoroughly sculpted entrance and rear bumpers have helped ship a drag coefficient of 0.23. Obtainable wheel sizes vary from 18 to 21 inches.
The actual story of the brand new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, nonetheless, isn’t a lot about {hardware}, however software program. This automotive is chock-full of software-driven applied sciences and capabilities designed to make each driver and passengers really feel extra linked, comfy, and in management.
For instance, a digital key operate that’s a part of an upgraded Keyless Go bundle now permits the brand new E-Class to be unlocked and began with a suitable iPhone or Apple Watch. What’s extra, the principle person of the automotive’s Mercedes me app can enable as much as 16 different individuals the precise to both unlock or drive the automotive.
A brand new compatibility layer added to the upgraded MBUX person interface system, the capabilities of which now run off a single processor that delivers improved efficiency and better information speeds, permits the set up of third-party apps.
Mercedes engineers have even constructed into the brand new E-Class the digital basis of an AI system that sooner or later will study which consolation techniques drivers repeatedly use in sure situations, and robotically activate them.
For now, E-Class house owners can use templates or create what Mercedes-Benz calls ‘routines’ to hyperlink capabilities and situations. For instance, the E-Class could be set as much as swap on the seat heating and switch the ambient lighting to heat orange if the inside temperature is under 12 levels C.
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class value?
Aside from the highly effective and standard AMG fashions, the W214 variations of which have but to be revealed, Mercedes-Benz Australia at the moment provide the E-Class Sedan in simply two trim ranges – the E 200, which has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain, and E 300e, which mixes the 155kW 2.0-litre 4 with a 90kW e-motor powered by a 13.5kWh battery.
Mercedes-Benz Australia has but to announce which fashions of the W214 are coming to Australia, or pricing.
However given the elevated ranges of obtainable expertise, it’s doubtless W214 fashions will likely be costlier than their W213 counterparts.
That implies base costs nearer to $120,000 for the E200, and $145,000 for the E300 e.
What’s the Mercedes-Benz E-Class like on the within?
Along with being barely roomier, notably within the rear, the W214 E-Class debuts Mercedes-Benz’s new MBUX Superscreen.
Obtainable as an choice in chosen markets, the Superscreen covers the precise two-thirds of the sprint instantly adjoining to the brand new vertical instrument panel and incorporates a 14.4-inch central touchscreen show and a 12.3-inch show for the entrance passenger below a single glass sheet.
The Superscreen isn’t any gimmick, says Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius: “We’re completely satisfied clients in China and a number of the Asian markets need to flip their automotive into an leisure centre, a gaming centre, a piece centre, a leisure centre,” he says.
“And we are able to see that’s additionally beginning to take off in Western markets. So, from this level ahead, once we launch new automobile architectures, each Mercedes can have the choice of a pillar-to-pillar display screen.”
The Superscreen bundle features a digicam mounted on prime of the sprint that faces into the cabin, and the flexibility of MBUX to run third-party apps means you need to use it to participate in Zoom video conferences when the automotive is stationary.
If the automotive’s shifting, you may nonetheless participate within the Zoom assembly, however solely utilizing an audio feed.
The display screen in entrance of the entrance passenger will proceed to stream motion pictures and movies whereas the brand new E-Class is in movement, however intelligent digital expertise robotically masks what’s on the display screen from the motive force.
What’s below the bonnet?
The W214 E-Class is launching in Europe with a single-spec 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine accessible with three totally different energy and torque outputs, and a single-spec 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel. All powertrains are both mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
The mild-hybrid engines have a 48V built-in starter-generator between the inner combustion engine and the nine-speed computerized transmission that now offers an extra 17kW and 205Nm on demand.
The plug-in hybrids, in the meantime, have a 95kW/440Nm e-motor fed by an enormous new 25.4kWh battery that Mercedes says will ship a pure electrical driving vary of over 100km.
Regardless of a slight bump within the inside combustion engine’s output – from 145kW to 150kW – and the 48V built-in starter generator pumping out 7kW extra, the W214 E 200 is barely slower to 100km/h than the outgoing mannequin: Mercedes-Benz quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of seven.5 seconds for the W214 versus 7.3 seconds for the W213.
Gas financial system has improved, nonetheless; the mixed consumption on the WLTP take a look at cycle of seven.3 to six.4L/100km compares favourably with the W213’s 8.4 to 7.1L/100km.
The numerous improve in electrical driving vary – up from 51km to 115km on the WLTP take a look at cycle, says Mercedes – makes the brand new E 300e fairly a compelling proposition.
It’s not simply that you may go additional on pure electrical energy: In Hybrid mode the powertrain robotically shuffles the facility flows from the inner combustion engine and the e-motor to make sure optimum effectivity. The larger battery provides the system a much bigger ballroom during which to bounce this fuel-saving dance.
How does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class drive?
How does the brand new Mercedes-Benz E-Class drive? In a phrase, effortlessly.
The Driving Help Plus bundle accessible in Europe endows the brand new E-Class with nearly Stage 3 autonomous driving functionality.
You should hold your fingers frivolously on the steering wheel, however the with adaptive cruise management activated, the bundle’s energetic lane change help robotically guided our take a look at automotive into the overtaking lane on a dual-carriageway freeway when it came across a slower-moving automobile, checking for sooner site visitors coming from behind, and activating the symptoms.
The excellent news is, in case you desire to do all of the driving your self, the W214 shows the assured functionality that has been the hallmark of the perfect E-Class fashions over the previous 4 a long time. This can be a automotive that can fortunately waft across the suburbs but cease and steer with composed authority whenever you need to hustle it down a winding nation street.
We weren’t in a position to drive an E 200 or E 300e to get some back-to-back impressions with the present Australian line-up, however we did get to pattern the six-cylinder E 450 and the intriguing four-cylinder E 300de diesel plug-in hybrid.
Each vehicles have been in fact extremely specced, with rear-wheel steering (which comes packaged with air suspension), 21-inch and 20-inch wheels respectively, and the show-stopping MBUX Superscreen inside.
The E 450’s six-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain is clean and punchy, and although you may select to digitally increase the sound to make it rumble like a V8, it’s finest left alone to emit solely a muted snarl below laborious acceleration.
That’s as a result of the remainder of the automotive is so quiet. Even on the low-profile 21-inch wheels and tyres, this E-Class is as quiet within the cabin as an S-Class.
The E 300de’s powertrain is arguably extra spectacular, not the least as a result of the automotive is scarcely any louder inside than its six-cylinder sibling.
The little diesel’s growl barely penetrates the serene cabin, permitting you to benefit from the top-spec, 730-watt Burmester 4D stereo. When operating in pure electrical mode, it’s nearly as quiet as a Rolls-Royce. When operating in Hybrid mode, the transitions between internal-combustion and electrical energy are nearly imperceptible.
The trip within the default Consolation mode is plush; choosing Sport mode gently reigns within the secondary physique motions with out making the automotive really feel harsh or edgy.
There is no such thing as a Sport+ mode: This E-Class doesn’t want it, and it might add nothing to its attraction. The elective rear-wheel steering not solely improves manoeuvrability in tight automotive parks, but additionally helps whip the automotive round tight hairpins.
Irrespective of how laborious you push it, the E-Class stays totally unperturbed.
What do you get?
As you’d anticipate, the checklist of normal gear on the brand new E-Class is complete.
Commonplace gear in Europe consists of:
Energetic parking help Wi-fi Apple CarPlay, Android AutoDAB digital radio MBUX 2.0 with prolonged functionsNavigation connectivity bundle Mercedes me join servicesHeated entrance seats Keyless-GoLED headlightsFront seats with reminiscence operate Distant boot lid closing Route-based pace adaptationWireless charging for cell units
Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class secure?
Mercedes-Benz has lengthy been a world chief in security analysis and growth, and the brand new E-Class continues the model’s custom of providing cutting-edge passive and energetic security options.
Commonplace security options embody:
360-degree camerasActive lane change assistActive site visitors assistActive steering help Adaptive brake lightsAdaptive cruise controlAdaptive highbeam help Driver help bundle Driver’s knee airbag Site visitors Signal AssistTyre stress monitoring
How a lot does the Mercedes-Benz E-Class value to run?
Mercedes-Benz Australia at the moment affords a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee.
Service intervals are set at 25,000km or yearly – whichever happens first – and Mercedes-Benz affords upfront service plans masking as much as 5 years.
A 3-year service plan for the outgoing E-Class prices $3325, a four-year plan $535, and a five-year plan prices $6800.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
There’s one thing splendidly calming concerning the new E-Class.
Whereas a few of its rivals, most notably BMW, appear decided to construct vehicles that confront and problem typical notions of fashion and luxurious, this mid-size Mercedes exudes a subdued class.
Mercedes-Benz has constructed sedans like this since 1946 – greater than 16 million of them thus far – and though fashions and applied sciences have developed, the basics haven’t.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a snug and completed sedan that feels constructed to final. In a world the place change appears infinite and unrelenting, there’s a continuity about this automotive that soothes the soul.
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