New Mercedes E-Class gets all-hybrid lineup

With a latest tease from BMW about an upcoming 5 Series, it wasn’t going to be lengthy earlier than Mercedes had one thing to say about its newest, W214-generation E-Class. BMW and Benz have been duking it out on this saloon-shaped battleground for many years, and that doesn’t seem like altering anytime quickly; even with extra various mannequin lineups than ever, the massive, conventional saloon stays crucially essential.

You solely want skim by means of the 60-page (!) press launch of the brand new E-Class to know that. Almost as a lot because the S-Class, the E is Mercedes’s showcase of all that it’s able to in relation to automotive expertise, from video streaming for entrance seat passengers to a 0.23 drag co-efficient, and an Apple Watch Digital Vehicle Key to greater than 60 miles of plug-in hybrid vary.

It additionally says a lot about this point in time that there’s one thing fairly reassuring in regards to the arrival of a brand new automobile (and the return of a well-known nameplate) that appears broadly the way you may anticipate. Mercedes can go away the EQ electrical automobiles to reinvent the three-pointed star; this new E-Class incorporates some acquainted Merc cues right into a recognisable three-box silhouette, one nearly 5 metres lengthy (4,949mm), 1.9m wider (1,880mm) and 1.5m excessive (1,468). Mercedes says the brand new automobile combines custom and modernity, persevering with the E-Class lineage whereas acknowledging the EQ. Not mistaking it for anything is, as ever, a field ticked. 

The identical can’t be mentioned of the inside, which is one other jaw-dropping Mercedes cabin. Alongside the now acquainted MBUX options – augmented actuality for the nav, Hey Mercedes voice assistant, a number of potential display screen shows – the E-Class introduces a complete new layer of tech on high. The Hyperscreen is previous information already; the optionally out there Superscreen will dominate the inside right here, full with selfie digicam on the high if you have to TikTok or Zoom from the automobile. There’s additionally Active Ambient Lighting on provide with Sound Visualisation, which might alter the sunshine sequence to the music it detects. Which undoubtedly gained’t be distracting. And the passenger can watch ‘dynamic content’ (TV or streaming) on the display screen in entrance of them even with the motive force behind the wheel (if the passenger seat is empty, the display screen gained’t play something). 

If these onboard really feel in poor health (which looks like a definite chance) the Energizing Comfort characteristic now has an Anti-Travel Sickness programme to alleviate signs. For actual. All it’s lacking is Calpol within the glovebox. ‘The electronics architecture is more software-driven and less hardware-driven’ says Mercedes, with many beforehand separate features now handed over to a single processor, which ought to hurry up lots of the appreciable infotainment options. If that phrase doesn’t massively promote brief what the E-Class is able to.

It nearly appears unusual to recommend {that a} automobile with Thermotronic air vents, an Angry Birds app and AI that learns which consolation options you want to make use of could be powered by one thing as previous hat as a combustion engine, however such are the occasions we’re in. And it’s hardly just like the E-Class is motored alongside by any previous ICEs; six petrols and diesel variants might be out there from launch (with many extra to comply with), all four-cylinder with a point of electrification. The 204hp E200 and 197hp E220d/E220d 4Matic are all mild-hybrid, with a 23hp Integrated Starter Generator. The 312hp E300 e and E300 e 4Matic mix a four-cylinder petrol engine with a 129hp/324lb ft electrical motor; the E400 e retains the identical EV outputs however ups the engine to 252hp, for 381hp and 479lb ft system outputs. The nine-speed auto is normal on all fashions, 0-62mph is from 7.6 seconds to 5.3 and EC kerbweight something from 1,825kg to 2,265kg.

Of extra curiosity will certainly be vary and effectivity, with all of the PHEVs able to at the least 95km (59 miles) and as much as 115km (71 miles) of electrical driving on the WLTP take a look at. The high velocity for the fourth-generation plug-in hybrid fashions on electrical operating is 87mph, and the 25.4kWh battery can settle for as much as 100kW of cost. CO2 for the PHEVs is within the teenagers, and from 125g/km to 166g/km for the delicate hybrid powertrains.

Chassis-wise, tech is as soon as once more the secret. Four-wheel steering is obtainable for the primary time and, when mixed with the Airmatic suspension and ADS+ constantly adjustable damping, guarantees ‘particularly agile and highly stable’ dealing with. It may also contribute to enhancements in vary by decreasing the E-Class at velocity. Standard suspension might be ‘Agility Control’ metal springs and a selective damping system.

“For over 75 years, the E-Class has stood for superior and comfortable driving, combined with a high-quality and luxurious interior. With the new E-Class, we continue this in a fascinating way, combining the superior driving experience with a digital luxury experience”, mentioned Jorg Bartels, Head of Integration Complete Vehicle for Mercedes. There’s actually going to be a complete lot to unpack in relation to really driving and proudly owning an E-Class, that’s for positive. That’ll occur very quickly, with manufacturing kicking off on the carbon-neutral (natch) Sindelfingen manufacturing facility imminently forward of gross sales in the summertime.