Mercedes
There's an increase in quality for the new Merc
Mercedes-Benz has taken the covers off its fifth-generation E-Class executive saloon at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, ahead of it going on sale in the spring in the UK.
This new E-Class is identifiably a Mercedes-Benz – especially as its design places it in between the C-Class and S-Class, in a Russian doll way, with its swooping roofline and contoured surfaces with lots of crease lines.
This is a defined aim of Mercedes, as it attempts to ensure that its saloon line-up has a more cohesive appearance, with pronounced visual similarities.
The new car is bigger than the previous model, with an additional 43mm in overall length, taking it to 4923mm – which enables the wheelbase to also extend to 2939mm (an extra 65mm).
However, the new E-Class is narrower by 2mm and lower by 6mm than before.
In the cabin, a thorough overhaul results in more space for occupants, there’s an increase in quality and the design takes cues from the C-Class below it in the Mercedes-Benz model line-up and the S-Class above it.
MERCEDES
The car was unveiled by Dieter Zetsche
MERCEDES
The new model will be on sale in the UK from Spring
So, for example, there’s a glass-faced digital panel with two 12.3-inch screens, laser-guided touchpads on the spokes of the steering wheel that allow the driver to control the latest incarnation of the Comand infotainment system with a swipe of the thumb (there’s also a touchpad between the front seats, rotary dial and a speech recognition system), a wireless charging mat for phones and a USB connector to enable drivers to use either Apple CarPlay or Google Android Auto.
Perhaps most important for E-Class customers is the fact that the new version has an upgraded range of more comfortable seats, with better support and an expanded range of cushioning than previously.
The new E-Class will have eight engines for buyers to choose from, including a plug-in hybrid variant that will enable up to 19 miles on electric-only power.
There will also be four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units, plus V6 3.0-litre engines for both types of fuel and, of course, an AMG version powered by a 4.0-litre V8 producing 580bhp.
UK deliveries begin in May, with prices starting at around £36,000.
- Daily Express