2016 Mercedes E-Class OFFICIAL
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The 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has finally been revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, and will go on sale in the UK in the spring.
Just as the photos showed a week ago, the 2016 E-Class takes its design cues from the latest C-Class and S-Class, with a more dynamic sloping roof and sleek panels; it’s a far less stolid take on the E-Class than we’ve ever seen, as Mercedes move to make their saloon models part of a family with similar looks. It also has an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.23.
Underpinning the E-Class is a new MRA platform similar to the C and S-Class, with more aluminium and more high-strength steel, bringing both dynamic improvements and weight saving, weight saving of up to 100kg helped also by aluminium panels at the front and for the boot.
There is a choice of three suspension setups – Comfort, Comfort Avantagarde and Sport – with variable damping control, with some models getting the option of Mercedes’ new Air Body Control air suspension which uses air chambers at the front and back to vary ride height, damping and stiffness to suit driving style and road conditions.
2016 Mercedes-Benz Engine Options
At launch, certainly in the UK, there will be just two engines on offer – a 2.0 litre petrol turbo four-cylinder in the E200 with 181bhp and 221lb/ft of torque and a new 2.0 litre four-cylinder diesel with 192bhp and 295lb/ft of torque in the E220d.
The 2.0 litre diesel is a replacement for the troublesome OM651 engine – this one codenamed OM654 – and offers official economy of 72mpg. Mercedes must hope it won’t have the raft of issues the old engine had as it gets rolled out across the rest of the Mercedes range too.
The initial bottom end of the E-Class range engines will be joined later in 2016 by a lower-powered version of the OM654 in the E200d offering 148bhp, a 3.0 litre straight-six diesel with 254bhp in the E350d, a 242bhp version of the 2.0 litre petrol in the E250, a 3.0 litre V6 petrol with 328bhp in the E400, and the 4.0 litre V8 in the new E63 AMG with 575bhp.
Away from regular ICE E-Class models, Mercedes will also introduce the E350e plug-in hybrid with a 2.0 litre petrol engine and gearbox combination good for 275bhp and 442lb/ft of torque, a plug-in range of around 19 miles and a daft official economy and emissions of 135mpg and 49g/km.
Launch models will come with Mercedes’ 9G automatic gearbox and rear-wheel drive, although some models will also be available with a manual gearbox and some with Mercedes’ 4MATIC 4WD.
2016 Mercedes E-Class – the interior
2016 Mercedes E-Class Interior
The interior was the first part of the new E-Class Mercedes officially revealed, and it does look an impressive cabin.
In fact, the cabin looks to be almost as good as the new S-Class, with more room than before thanks to a longer, by 63mm, wheelbase, high-quality materials and a pair of 12.3″ digital panels dominating the dashboard.
There are touchpads and a rotary dial to control the COMAND infotainment, a wireless charging mat for smartphones, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, new seats and masses of trim options.
Driver Assistance Package – on the road to autonomous driving
Mercedes is using the new E-Class as a route to an autonomous driving future for Mercedes cars, with a raft of technology to assist the driver. These include:
Drive Pilot
Drive Pilot Distronic keeps the car’s speed constant – and the gap to the car in front – at speeds of up to 130mph, can help with the steering using Steering Pilot, can keep the car at the speed limit automatically and automatic lane changing.
Active Brake Assist with Cross Traffic Function
This clever technology can detect cross traffic at junctions and brake automatically if the driver fails to respond, recognize hazards at the back of a queue of traffic and brake for itself which, say Mercedes, will avoid accidents at up to 60mph completely.
Evasive Steering Assist
If the driver takes evasive action, Evasive Steering Assist adds steering torque to support the action, helping the evasive action to be more effective and allow resumption of normal driving after the obstacle has been avoided.
Advanced Assist Systems
Mercedes has also improve systems we’re already used to, with Active Lane Keeping now using a one-sided nudge of the brakes to keep you in line, Active Blind Spot Assist now also able to warn of lateral collisions in urban traffic and Pre Safe Plus also protecting you from collisions from behind.
Other clever technology includes Remote Parking Pilot for automatically getting in and out of a garage using a Smartphone App, Car-to-X communication for exchanging information with other vehicles, Pre Safe Impulse Side that moves occupants away from danger when a crash is imminent, Pre Safe Sound for an audible warning if a collision is imminent and Multibeam LED headlights with 84 individually controlled LEDs.
It’s a comprehensive, and appealing package, and as the full launch of the new E-Class rolls out it should get even more impressive with new engines, a new E-Class Estate (and probably an ‘Allroad’ version too), coupes and cabriolets.
The new Mercedes E-Class will go on sale shortly in Mercedes UK dealers – with first customer cars arriving before summer – at prices likely to start at much the same as the current car’s £35,000.
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