STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz has upgraded the E-Class for a more sporty styling, with the front sections in particular being given a fresh look.
The all-LED headlamps have been given flatter housings, while the interior of the LED tail lights has been reworked.
The technical enhancements include electrified petrol and diesel engines with integrated starter-generator, the next generation of driving assistance systems and the MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). The new E-Class will land in European showrooms in autumn and the rest of the world after that.
With over 14 million Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet models delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Many regard it as the "heart of the brand".
The 10th generation of the E-Class set styling trends with its clean yet emotionally appealing design, and an exclusive, high-quality interior. The Saloon and Estate entered the market in the spring and autumn of 2016, with the Coupé and Cabriolet following in the spring and summer of 2017.
To date, more than 1.2 million customers around the world have bought a current-generation E-Class.
The entry-level model now comes with the sporty Avantgarde Line exterior. As a result, the base model of the E-Class features a central star at the front for the first time. The grille of the Avantgarde Line was redesigned with two chrome louvres and vertical high-gloss black struts. Chrome and high-gloss black trim elements in the front bumper underscore the sporty and elegant appearance.
The Exclusive Line also comes with a special grille, with the upright star on the bonnet and the large chrome elements in the front bumper emphasise this positioning.
The AMG Line with a new bumper in the style of the AMG Performance models looks even sportier. In addition, Avantgarde, AMG Line and All-Terrain feature a bonnet with powerdomes. The E-Class features all-LED headlamps as standard. MULTIBEAM LED headlamps including ULTRA RANGE high beams are available as optional equipment.
The designers also updated the Saloon's rear end with a new bumper, two-section tail lights and a new boot lid. The inner design of the tail lights has been revised for all models.
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The All-Terrain is visually more similar to the SUV models. In addition, signature All-Terrain components such as the radiator grille or the simulated underguard now sport a high-gloss chrome finish rather than the previous silver shadow hue.
The three new paint colours available for the E-Class as part of the model refresh go by the names high-tech silver, graphite grey metallic and mojave silver. The wheel line-up has been expanded and now includes aero wheels, which also contribute to saving fuel and thus to sustainability.
With regards to the Cabriolet and Coupé, the front section design of these dream cars has been revised and sharpened. The more dynamic impression comes courtesy of flatter headlamps which, even in the entry-level models, feature all-LED technology. The inner workings of these LED High Performance headlamps are worth a mention. Among the hallmark Mercedes-Benz design features are the torch-flame effect and two non-illuminated pins. With the optionally available MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, the latter are lit.
The "A-shape" design of the new diamond radiator grille, which is likewise standard on all versions, adds a dynamic touch. The grille also features chrome-plated dots, a single louvre and the Mercedes star in the centre.
A new highlight of the muscular rear section is the completely redesigned inner workings of the two-section tail lights, featuring LED technology. The star module with integrated reversing camera is inset into the boot lid.
The four paint colours newly available for the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet as part of the facelift go by the names high-tech silver, graphite grey metallic, mojave silver and patagonia red (designo). The wheel line-up has also been expanded. It also includes aero wheels, whose special design contributes to fuel economy and sustainability.
Latest MBUX multimedia system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience)
As standard the E-Class models include two large 10.25-inch/26 cm screens, which are arranged side by side to give a widescreen effect. Two 12.3-inch/31.2 cm screens are optionally available. The information in the instrument cluster and on the media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens.
For the first time, the four-cylinder diesel (OM 654 M) and petrol (M 254) engines feature a second-generation integrated starter-generator (ISG) producing up to 15 kW of additional output and 200 Nm more torque.
Both engines are highly efficient thanks to energy recovery and the ability to "glide". This technology is also standard equipment for the six-cylinder petrol engines available for the first time in the E-Class.
There are also seven plug-in hybrid variants of the Saloon and Estate. This EQ Power is available in combination with diesel and petrol engines. The line-up of high-efficiency, low-emission and powerful petrol engines will cover an output range from 115 to 270 kW, while the diesel spectrum spans from 118 to 243 kW.
Interior changes
The E-Class is fitted with an entirely new steering wheel as part of the facelift. This is available as a leather steering wheel and in a Supersport variant. The control surfaces sport a high-gloss black finish, while the trim elements and surrounds have a silver shadow finish.
The functions of the instrument cluster and media display are operated using touch controls, the physical principle of which has been changed from optical to capacitive.
Other advanced driving assistance systems include:
> Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with route-based speed adjustment
> Active Stop-and-Go Assist
> Active Steering Assist
> Active Brake Assist; in the Driving Assistance Package now also with turning manoeuvre function
> Active Blind Spot Assist – now also with exit warning
> Parking Package in conjunction with 360° camera: newly expanded side view and for the first time automatic parking not only in parallel and end-on parking spaces, but also on marked areas.
New appointment colours and materials upgrade the interior of the Saloon and Estate. These include the new colour combinations magma grey/neva grey (Avantgarde), black/nut brown (Exclusive) and magma grey/macchiato beige (Exclusive), and trim in silver open-pore ash wood, fondant burr walnut wood, brushed aluminium and aluminium with a carbon grain. There are also new trim options for the Coupé and Cabriolet – grey open-pore ash wood and light aluminium with carbon-fibre grain.
The seats combine hallmark Mercedes-Benz long-distance suitability with avant-garde design. While providing a high level of comfort, they ensure good support in dynamic driving situations. The adaptive driver's seat adjustment is a particularly intelligent feature: when the driver's height is entered in the media display or via Mercedes me, the seat automatically moves into a position generally suitable for someone of that height, which then only needs to be fine-tuned by the driver.
In the Saloon and Estate, the design of the front seats accentuates the sporty aura of the interior. They offer strong lateral support as well as comfort. The seat contour follows the pronounced side bolsters and, depending on the specification, the centre section has sporty transverse or modern longitudinal seams. The colours of the centre sections of the seat backrest and cushion are matched to the overall sculpture of the seats. Numerous material combinations ranging from fabric to ARTICO man-made leather to embossed leather to nappa leather with diamond quilting are possible.
The integral-look sports seats of these two dream cars feature prominent side bolsters and integrated head restraints. The seat contour follows the pronounced side bolsters and, depending on the specification, the centre section has sporty transverse or modern longitudinal seams. The colours of the centre sections of the seat backrest and cushion are coordinated with the overall sculpture of the seats. Numerous material combinations ranging from fabric to ARTICO man-made leather, embossed leather, nappa leather with diamond quilting and even sun-reflecting leather (for the Cabriolet) are all possible.
The optional packages URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection and URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection Plus are available for the E-Class. URBAN GUARD comprises an anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection with visual and audible warning in case of a detected change in position, an alarm siren, interior monitoring and preinstallation for theft and parking collision detection. In addition, URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection Plus is able to pinpoint the location of stolen vehicles.
