Mercedes-Benz has launched the extensively refreshed E-Class range, featuring an updated design, next-gen driving assistance systems and mild-hybrid drivetrain.
Mercedes-Benz has lifted the veil from the midlife refreshed tenth-generation E-Class Saloon and Estate models. Both models will arrive in European showrooms in summer 2020, while China market long-wheelbase version as well as the Coupe and Cabriolet models will follow soon after. At the same time, Mercedes-AMG has also released details on the E 53 4Matic+ models.
The refreshed E-Class now comes with new redesigned full-LED headlamps, split tail lamps, radiator grille and front bumper which the E-Class range reflect Mercedes-Benz’s current crop of saloons. Besides the split tail lamp light clusters, the E-Class’ rump has been updated with a new bumper and a new boot lid.
Entry-level E-Class models will come with the Avantgarde Line exterior which features the central star within in the grille for the first time, and the Executive Line that features large chrome elements in the front bumper and the upright star on the bonnet for the traditional look. The E-Class also com with the All-Terrain trim, which includes a trim-specific radiator grille and mirror chrome skid plate.
If it’s sporty looks customers are after, the AMG Line exterior package is available as well. Moreover, the Avantgarde, AMG Line and All-Terrain come with power domes on the bonnet. The E-Class features all-LED headlamps as standard. Optional Multibeam LED headlamps including the Ultra Range high beam are available as well.
Moreover, the Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ models are recognisable with two distinctive powerdomes on the bonnet, large outer air inlets and new front splitter in silver chrome. Key identifier on the tail-end is round twin tailpipe trim elements, in either high-gloss chrome or high-gloss black. The AMG E 56s are fitted with restyled 19-inch light-alloy wheels, while 20-inch light-alloy wheels are optionally available.
With the styling refresh, the E-Class also comes with three new exterior hues, namely high-tech silver, graphite grey metallic and mojave silver. Likewise, the wheel lineup has also been expanded including new aero wheels for improved fuel economy.
As standard, the E-Class comes with two 10.25-inch bonded digital screens and optional Widescreen cockpit with two 12.3-inch displays. Moreover, the new MBUX infotainment system with Linguatronic voice control and augmented reality is standard equipment as well.
The interior of the new E 53 comes with AMG-specific sports seats in black Artico man-made leather/Dinamica microfibre with red contrasting topstitching and an AMG badge. The Widescreen Cockpit in the E 53 has three AMG display styles, “Modern Classic”, “Sport” and “Supersport” for the digital instrument cluster. Via the AMG menu, the driver can access the car’s engine vitals, gear speed indicator, Warm-up, Set-up, G-Meter and Racetimer.
Also bundled in as an option in the E 53 is the AMG Track Pace, the virtual race engineer is part of the MBUX infotainment system. This continuously monitors more than 80 vehicle-specific sets of data, and on top of this, lap and sector times are displayed, as well as the respective difference from a reference time.
Moreover, the MBUX Augmented Reality function also allows the AMG Track Pace to suggest the ideal line of a stored race circuit displayed on either the multimedia display or the optional head-up display, allowing drivers to improve lap times with a virtual instructor on board.
For whom are familiar to the E-Class, the seats may look the same, but that too has received updates as well. The driver’s seat is now adaptive; when the driver enters their height in the infotainment system or via the Mercedes me app, the seat automatically adjusts to what the system feels is right for the driver. And all the driver need to do after is to make minor adjustments.
The Energizing Seat Kinetics is another new feature in the E-Class, which supports the driver’s posture by means of minute movements of the seat cushion. The Energizing comfort control also comes with the “PowerNap” programme available in the plug-in hybrid models, which useful when taking a break from long-distance driving or when charging the battery en route. The programme has three phases: falling asleep, sleeping and waking.
When it comes to premium executive saloons, do expect the list of tech available to be an exhaustive list. The refreshed E-Class also comes with:
- New generation steering wheel with capacitive hands-off detection
- 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: a 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 as well.
The E-Class now comes with seven plug-in hybrid models in Saloon and Estate forms, petrol and diesel with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. The petrol engine will cover a range from 154 bhp to 362 bhp and diesel engine from 158 bhp to 326 bhp.
Regardless, the new E-Class M 254 four-cylinder petrol engine will come with the second-generation starter-generator (ISG) with 20 bhp of additional output and 180 Nm more torque. And cars with this engine will have a 48-volt electrical system.
The in-line M 265 six-cylinder petrol engine is also available in the E-Class for the first time and is also fitted with the ISG. Diesel engines are also offered in four- and six-cylinder format and fitted with an emissions control system.
All engines are mated to a nine-speed 9G Tronic automatic transmission, which the second-generation ISG calls home. Mercedes-Benz says that this is to make integration easier with four engines mentioned. the nine-speed transmission has been revised as well with an electric auxiliary oil pump, and it uses a new generation fully integrated transmission control with multi-core processor and new construction and joining technology.
The Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ comes with a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine with the EQ Boost starter-alternator which also performs hybrid functions. The engine makes 429 bhp and 520 Nm, with additional 22 bhp and 250 Nm EQ Boost support. Mated to this is the AMG Speedshift TCT 9G transmission.
Also, the AMG E 53 also comes with AMG Dynamic Select, Independent AMG Ride Control+ air suspension, AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, and AMG Dynamic Plus Package, a function once reserved for the V8 AMG models.
