All-new Mercedes Benz E-Class comes back with style and technology
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Mercedes-Benz Korea CEO Dimitris Psillakis introduces the German automaker’s new E-Class sedan at a media preview event at Wangsan Marina, last month. / Courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
By Jhoo Dong-chan
Mercedes Benz Korea officially launched the all-new E-Class, fully redesigned after seven years with a distinct style, enhanced efficiency and technological innovations.
The model has set the standard for the mid-size premium business sedan market for many years, but the 10th-generation premium vehicle offers another direction in the market not only with its characteristic design but also with its innovative autonomous safety technology.
Exterior
One of the main attractions behind the E-Class’ great success has been its design. And the new E-Class’ design appears to be rather evolutionary than revolutionary.
Inherited from its predecessor, the E-Class does not betray its legacy in exterior design, maintaining resemblance to other generations in a side by side comparison.
It features a slick-designed hood and a curved coupe-styled roofline that leads to muscle-looking shoulders. The new E-Class has become 45 millimeters longer in its length while the wheelbase is extended as well by 65 millimeters. The extension is reflected inside when it comes to rear passenger legroom.
The new model comes with two different front face designs ― the Avantgarde and Exclusive.
The Avantgarde model places Mercedes Benz’s signature three-point star emblem into its head grille, creating a sporty impression in the front, while the Exclusive model erects the emblem over the hood to suggest luxury and a classic impression.
Distinctive grille designs based on the model’s two front face designs, V-shaped long hood line and large-size air intakes along with Multi-beam LED headlamps and chrome twin-tail pipe under full-LED taillights continue the German luxury automaker’s 70-year design philosophy.
Interior and Tech
One noticeable feature a driver would find in the new E-Class is not one but the option of two 12.3-inch touchable screens ― one in the center dashboard and the other behind the steering wheel.
A set of display screens, also called “Wide-Screen Cockpit Display,” which is placed in the center dashboard, offers almost every type of information a driver would want to see while behind the wheel.
The infotainment system can easily connect to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for smart phone integration.
The E-Class also offers an optional massage function, called “Active Multicontour Seat,” in the front seat, helping passengers remain comfortable even after long hours of driving.
Mercedes Benz’s technological innovation is also evident in various driving assistant options.
The new model’s so called “Driving Assistance Package Plus” option suggests various technology that includes “Drive Pilot” and “Parking Pilot” system along with safety features.
Drive Pilot technology introduces a new level of adaptive cruise control that allows the driver to follow another vehicle at a pre-selected distance at speeds as fast as 210 kilometers per hour and steer itself around turns without the driver’s intervention.
The E-Class’ ability to change lanes by itself is a joyful technology especially for inexperienced drivers. When the driver turns on the lane change signal, the intelligent E-Class will automatically calculate its distance to an upcoming car and help the driver change lanes safely.
The E-Class also offers brake assist and a self-parking system, called “Parking Pilot,” which can park the car in both parallel and perpendicular orientations. The function received great reviews from media on press day for the model’s introduction last month.
The E-Class has added safety features such as “Evasive Steering Assist,” which adds steering torque when a driver performs an evasive maneuver. Another safety technology applied in the model is “PRE-SAFE impulse side” that uses the front seat side bolsters to move the driver or front seat passenger three inches closer to the center of the car to lessen the impact of a crash.
Engine
The new E-Class gasoline models mount an in-line 4-cylinder direct spray engine that can produce a maximum of 245 horsepower. The low-end torque engine emphasizes silence and fuel efficiency as well as minimizing carbon emissions.
The E220d model mounts the next-generation V4 diesel engine that produces 194 horsepower, up 24 horsepower from the previous generation.
All models of the E-Class feature the 9G-Tronic transmission that delivers more efficient driving dynamics while reducing its weight by 1 kilogram. The Eco Start/Stop is also included.
The E-Class offers an “Air Body Control” option that enables a user to choose a drive mode among five suspension modes ― Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual.
Perspectives
The E-Class has been regarded as one of the most important models in Mercedes-Benz’s lineup because of its sales volume of more than 10 million cars worldwide since its introduction in 1993.
Despite the new model’s conservative changes in design, the all-new E-Class would be the most progressive generation in its history because the German automaker has really outdone itself by infusing autonomous-driving, safety, as well as infotainment features in the vehicle.
The price range is also considered to be reasonable as it starts at 65.6 million won. The BMW 5 Series, the E-Class’ history-long rival, was sold at 63 million to 119.2 million won last year in Korea.