Mercedes-Benz has produced more than 16 million upper-middle-range vehicles since 1946, although the “ancestors” of the current E-Class date back to the beginnings of the brand’s history. In 1953, the highly successful model 180 (W 120) came onto the market, with a self-supporting body and a pontoon shape, a name that defined its shape and with which it became popularly known.
In 1961 it was followed by the “tails” series (W 110) while the successor, series 123, from 1976, once again had great commercial acceptance. After him, the 124 series of the years 1984 to 1995 was the one that bore the E-Class name for the first time, starting in mid-1993 with the classic “face” with the four headlights. Subsequently, the E-Class of the 211 series (2002), the 212 (Berlina and Estate) and 207 (Cabriolet and Coupé) came onto the market in 2009, while the most recent -213 series- has been in production since 2016, with its All-Terrain, Coupé and Cabriolet variants since 2017 (238 Series).
With such a background and track record, no one questions the leadership that the Stuttgart firm has held in the segment of medium-sized business sedans for the past 75 years, where it has set the standard for other competitors to follow. Now, in 2023, Mercedes-Benz is opening a new chapter with the new E-Class, leading the transition from the combustion engine to electric propulsion. Sales in Europe will begin this summer.
The new E-Class has the proportions of a classic three-volume saloon: The short front overhang and long bonnet are followed by the passenger compartment, which is set far back. The “cab-back” design is rounded out with a balanced rear overhang. Up front, a black panel-like surface connects the radiator grille to the headlights; an insert in high-gloss black that is visually reminiscent of the Mercedes-EQ models.
The three-dimensional design radiator grille is progressive and classic and the optics incorporate High Performance LED headlights as standard. As an optional extra, the firm offers Digital Light technology, available with and without projection function.
All headlight variants offer a distinctive day and night design. Thus, the daytime running light is designed in the shape of an eyebrow, typical of the brand. The highlight at the rear are the two-part LED lights with a new contour and a special design: The star optics on both parts of the luminaire offer a special design for day and night.
In terms of spaciousness, the driver enjoys five millimeters more headroom than in the previous E-Class while rear passengers especially benefit from a two-centimeter longer wheelbase. Knee room and maximum leg room are increased by 10 and 17 millimeters respectively. The increase in the width of the elbows at the rear is even greater: 1,519 millimeters. This represents an increase of 25 millimeters, almost at the level of the S-Class. The cargo volume can reach up to 540 liters.
But if Mercedes boasts of something in this new generation of the E, it is the sensory experience in which the vehicle is capable of involving the driver and passengers. Music, games and streaming content can be experienced with all the senses thanks to the vehicle’s electronic architecture, which is more software-based and less hardware-based.
The screens and the MBUX infotainment system thus share a new and very powerful central vehicle computer. This kind of networking increases performance and data volumes can be transmitted much faster. In this sense, the new E-Class will have the entertainment package plus, which includes Mercedes me connect services and a communication module with 5G as transmission technology.
With new active ambient lighting with sound visualization, occupants can experience music with three senses: hear it with Dolby Atmos technology, feel it through the tactile sound transducers of the Burmester 4D surround sound system (optional) and now also “see” it. . The visualization takes place in the light band of the active ambient lighting. Thus, fast rhythms can cause rapid changes in light, while fluid rhythms create light environments that transition from one to the other, blending smoothly.
Entertainment options for the front passenger are also increased thanks to an optional dedicated screen where you can view dynamic content such as TV shows or streaming video even when the person behind the wheel is looking in your direction. Because the screen can be changed. The advanced vision protection function integrated in the camera reduces light and therefore the risk of driver distraction.
Half of the engines are fourth-generation plug-in hybrids in the new E-Class, which is committed to the electrification of all its models with a downsizing strategy to establish a new standard in the field of efficiency. Thus, three of the six versions of the E-Class combine the advantages of a vehicle with an internal combustion engine with those of an electric car.
With an electric drive output of 95 kW (129 PS) and a purely electric range of up to more than 100 kilometers (WLTP), the driver will in many cases be able to travel purely electric without using the gasoline engine all day. The options for sale at the moment include the E 300 e and 300 e 4 MATIC, with 313 CV, or the E 400 e 4 MATIC, with 381 CV. More plug-in hybrids combined with diesel engines will be incorporated later.
For its part, the versions with conventional mechanics are units of four and six cylinders and, in addition to turbocharging, both the diesel and gasoline engines incorporate intelligent support with an integrated starter generator (ISG). Thanks to a new battery in these mild hybrids, the power of the electric motor has increased from 15 to 17 kW and the torque to 205 Nm. The versions available at launch will be the E 200 with 204 hp and the E 220d with 197 hp, with rear-wheel drive or optional 4 MATIC.
