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World premiere at Mercedes: The E-Class appears for the last time as a combustion engine

World premiere at Mercedes: The E-Class appears for the last time as a combustion engine

Mercedes has two major goals: they want to become a real luxury brand and the new edition of the E-Class is just the thing, because it is more elegant and chic than ever before. And then the future should be electric as soon as possible and that doesn’t make it any easier for the E-Class in many markets, because the position of the electric luxury class sedan in the Swabians goes to the Mercedes EQE – the E-Class is available as a plug-in to get in-hybrid, but otherwise there are only diesel and petrol engines. It has become pleasing and elegant, the new Mercedes E-Class with the internal designation W214. It remains essentially a four-door sedan. In addition, there is the station wagon version, which is so important in some European markets, in China a variant with a long wheelbase and then in the autumn the coupé offshoot of the CLE, the E-Class Coupé, C-Class Coupé and CLS should be combined in one model.

Anyone who thinks that the 4.95 meter long Mercedes E-Class is a classic business sedan for the German market is now mistaken, because the largest market is by far China, where the E-Class with an extended wheelbase offers even more comfort in the rear offers. And even the variant with a normal wheelbase does not have Germany as its main market, but Korea. This not only has an influence on the structure of the range, but also on the appearance, because if you look into the LED eyes of the W214, you will definitely see Asian influences through the light eyeliner, which suits you well. It becomes even clearer at the rear, because here the LED rear lights shine for the first time in the form of a red star – the new luxury class model wants to make an impression and there is no doubt: it does.

Mercedes E-Class: An impressive luxury model

The appearance is befitting of a luxury class model, much more impressive than the smaller C-Class and a real show in terms of workmanship, especially in the interior. Here the E-Class ranks for the first time almost at the S-Class level. Even the mighty front screen doesn’t look as gigantic and confusing as the so-called hyperscreen of the S-Class and EQS. With the name Superscreen, it is hardly less attractive and, with the driver’s display positioned towards the driver, more up-to-date than ever. There is not only a large central screen with touch function and intuitive voice control, but finally also a separate passenger display with full functionality. Means: Here the co-pilot can surf the web or watch films when bored. Also new is a camera mounted on the dashboard, which can be used for selfies or video conferences. There are also four other cameras in the interior to monitor the interior.

The seats are comfortable, both front and rear, with a sophisticated design and can be fitted with air conditioning and a massage function on request. The space available is generous thanks to the 2.96 meter long wheelbase and there are also comfortable headrests in the rear, which do not fulfill their only function when folded – for a better view to the rear. While the cargo space of the combustion models is generous at 540 liters, the plug-in versions have a manageable 370 liters. After all, the annoying edge in the hold has disappeared. Not only the seats ensure maximum comfort, but also insulating materials, double glass or the optional air suspension, which can also be combined with rear-axle steering, which reduces the turning circle by up to 90 centimeters depending on the model thanks to a 4.5-degree lock on the rear axle.

Plug-in hybrid drives purely electrically up to 115 kilometers

In contrast to one or the other competitor, the plug-in hybrids play a central role in the new Mercedes E-Class – also because the electric drive is reserved for the EQE. Three of the six engine variants available at market launch are plug-in versions. The basic engine here is a two-liter four-cylinder turbo, which is available in two power levels as the E 300e and E 400e. The 312 hp E 300e is available with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, while the Mercedes E 400e 4matic with its 381 hp is mandatory all-wheel drive – but also only offers four cylinders. In both sedans, the electric motor contributes 129 hp / 440 Newton meters to the drive. The fuel consumption is between 0.5 and 0.9 liters of Super per 100 kilometers or between 18.4 and 21.6 kWh. This makes the business limousine from Swabia between 234 and 250 km/h fast and allows it to drive 100 to 115 kilometers purely electrically with its 25.4 kWh battery. Further diesel-powered plug-in hybrids and the high-performance version from AMG will follow. This will offer six cylinders. Eight cylinders were deleted for the E-Class.

Nevertheless, many customers are likely to opt for drives without a plug-in module. At the start there is the 204 hp Mercedes E 200 and the E 220d with 197 hp / 440 Nm, which consume between 4.8 and 7.3 liters of fuel. The nine-speed automatic is still standard here, while the customer can also order an all-wheel drive variant for the E 220d. The E 400d, which is known from the S-Class and offers six cylinders and a displacement of three liters, is likely to be the top model later.

Waiver of driver assistance level three

In addition to numerous comfort and new operating functions, the new Mercedes E-Class will be available with an extensive package of driver assistance systems. Somewhat surprisingly, however, driver assistance level three, which Mercedes introduced with the S and EQS class, at least on the German market, is missing. On the other hand, what is new is the programming of so-called routines, which can be created based on smartphone models. If the temperature drops below five degrees Celsius, the seat heating, for example, can be activated if desired. In a first step, this only affects the seat functions; should, however, be extended to other operating modules in the near future. Market launch for the new E-Class is in the summer; by the end of the year, the estate version and coupe should follow.

Source: Stern

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