The next-gen E-Class to emphasise more on tech; could get on-board AI.
Mercedes-Benz will finally take the wraps off the all-new E-Class line-up on April 25, 2023. As seen with the latest-gen Mercedes-Benz range, the new E-Class will have a more upmarket look inside out and will have styling cues shared with its EV equivalent, the Mercedes-Benz EQE electric sedan.
- New E-Class to get sedan and wagon body styles only
- Will get hybridised petrol, diesel powertrain options
- MBUX interface will also have AI
Mercedes-Benz E-class: interior to get optional Superscreen
Officially detailed in February, this new interior is available with the dashboard-spanning MBUX Superscreen as an optional extra. Effectively two screens – one mounted centrally and one on the offside – under one sheet of glass, the Superscreen includes functionality that allows passengers to watch films on the go. Meanwhile, a sensor monitors the driver’s attention and disables the passenger screen if the driver is distracted by it.
Another new development is an optional driver-facing camera that (when stationary) can be used on one of the various third-party apps downloadable to the MBUX operating system, including TikTok and Zoom where available.
Mercedes-Benz E-class: AI-equipped MBUX interface
The latest version of MBUX also includes artificial intelligence, which learns the driver’s routine and pre-empts their needs – for example, automatically warming the seat when the temperature drops, or winding down the window at the entrance to a frequented car park. The new E-Class also receives a digital instrument display and an optional head-up display, said to have a wider field of view than previous iterations.
Mercedes-Benz E-class: platform and powertrain
The technological assault extends to the underpinnings of the new E-Class, despite it being one of the final models based on Mercedes’ MRA platform. Updates to the model’s chassis include modified double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension, while the E-Class will also be offered with optional air suspension and, for the first time on the E-Class, a rear-wheel steering system offering up to 10deg of steering at the rear.
The new E-Class will come with hybridised petrol and diesel powertrain options, with a choice of four or six cylinders. The existing M254 four-cylinder petrol and OM654 four-cylinder diesel units will be offered exclusively with an integrated starter-generator and 48V electrical system as well as changes to their exhaust system that allow them to meet EU7 emissions regulations.
The turbocharged 2.9-litre in-line six-cylinder M256 petrol and turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder OM656 diesel units are planned to receive similar upgrades and will be offered with both mild-hybrid and plug-in hybrid functionality with up to 435bhp and 330bhp respectively. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid versions are set to receive a 28.6kWh battery, the same unit used by the Mercedes S580e sold abroad, to give them an electric range of over 100km.
Each engine will be mated to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, with lower-end models featuring rear-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic four-wheel drive system will appear on more powerful models, including those tuned by AMG.
Mercedes-Benz E-class exterior design, body styles
The new E-Class draws design inspiration from the latest, more premium Mercedes S-Class. Its front end will be more pronounced, with more angular lines and a large chrome grille. The rear, meanwhile, is sleeker and described as a mix between the new S-Class and C-Class.
Alongside the sedan body style, Mercedes is also planning to launch successors to the E-Class Estate and E-Class All Terrain in 2024 for global markets. It will also be joined by a Mercedes-AMG E53 sports variant, which will be differentiated by its bespoke grille, bigger brakes and sports exhaust. There won’t be an all-new E-Class coupe or a cabriolet. Both models will be replaced by an all-new Mercedes CLE that will be a model between the C-Class and the E-Class and will come with only a coupe and convertible body style.
Mercedes-Benz E-class safety tech
Mercedes-Benz is determined to once again make the new E-Class the safest car in its class. As well as adopting all the various driving assistant systems from the larger S-Class, the sixth-generation model is set to support level three autonomous driving functionality with lidar-based sensors.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class: India launch details
Undoubtedly, the E-Class is one of the most important models for the brand here. Sources tell us that like the outgoing car, the new E-Class for India will most likely continue to be the long-wheelbase variant that will be sold a few weeks after the standard length sedan’s global debut. The LWB new E-Class has already been spotted on tests in China, which is the second major market apart from India where the LWB sedan is sold. As far as India launch goes, we expect Mercedes-Benz to bring the new E-class to India by the end of this year or early next year.
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