Mercedes-Benz held the world premiere of the new generation E-Class W214 in the evening. So far, only the base model of the family, the sedan, has been shown. The universal will be released within a few months. The German concern has already warned that the W214 is the last E-Class with an internal combustion engine. From 2030, the recognized benchmark of the business class segment will be only with a purely electric powertrain.
In the next incarnation of the E-Class, it retained a three-volume body and classic proportions with a long hood, a short front overhang and a cabin shifted to the rear axle. However, the plastic of the sidewalls and the shape of the W214 is “cleaner” and more concise than that of its predecessor.
As with the executive S-Class, door handles can be traditional for a natural grip or innovative, retractable type. The radiator grille is made huge in area, and the LED headlights, on the contrary, have become smaller in size than the predecessor W213. Headlights with a figured lower edge fit into the T-shaped style composition of the front.
There are two types of radiator grilles. The Exclusive Line version has a classic chrome-plated with horizontal slats and a “sight” emblem on the hood. The Avantgarde and AMG Line variants are equipped with an a la sport grille with a huge three-beam star and horizontal bars emanating from it. For a surcharge to the classic, you can order LED backlighting.
The machine is carefully designed in terms of streamlining - the drag coefficient Cx is only 0.23 (best in class).
The standard configuration of the new E-Class is equipped with 18-inch wheels, but smaller 17-inch wheels are also available from the catalog. Plug-in hybrids in the top versions are equipped with R20 wheels, conventional petrol and diesel modifications with R21 wheels.
The overall length of the W214 is 4.95 m, which is 1 cm longer than that of the outgoing generation sedan. The width of the novelty is 1.88 m (+3 cm). Wheelbase - 2.96 m (+2.2 cm).
It is alleged that the rear passengers have become a little more spacious - there is more space above the head by 5 mm, in the legs - by 1.7 cm.
Trunk volume for gasoline and diesel cars is 540 liters, for rechargeable hybrids - 370 liters.
Inside, there is a 14.4-inch digital instrument panel and a large 12.3-inch media system screen. For a surcharge, you can order an individual entertainment screen for the front passenger.
In the top trim levels, the novelty in the cabin has as many as five cameras: 1) an integrated video recorder, 2) a selfie camera for video conferencing or entertainment, 3) a camera for recognizing commands to the media system with gestures, 4) a stereo camera for advanced driver assistance systems, 5) a mono camera for monitoring the state of the driver (if signs of fatigue or poor health are detected, the autopilot and automatic braking come into play).
In the maximum configuration, the car has a Burmester 4D premium audio system with 21 speakers and a structure-borne noise converter built into the driver's seat.
Sales of the new E-Class in Western markets will start in the fall of 2023. The range of modifications depends on the region of sales.
For the first time in the European Union, the following versions will be offered:
Mild hybrids:
E200: 204 hp 2.0-litre petrol turbo engine + starter-generator with a return of 17 kW (23 hp),
E220d: 2.0-litre turbodiesel (197 hp) + starter-alternator with 17 kW (23 hp) output,
Plug-in hybrids:
E300e: 2.0 petrol turbo engine (204 hp, 320 Nm) + electric motor (129 hp, 440 Nm), total power - 313 hp, torque - 550 Nm. The capacity of the lithium-ion battery is 25.4 kWh,
E400e: 2.0 petrol turbo engine (252 hp, 400 Nm) + electric motor (129 hp, 440 Nm), total power - 381 hp, torque - 650 Nm. The capacity of the lithium-ion battery is 25.4 kWh.
In all cases, a 9-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission is installed.
The E200, E220d, E300e have rear-wheel drive. The E220d and E300e will offer optional 4Matic all-wheel drive. E400e will be produced only with all-wheel drive transmission.
In the standard version, suspensions with conventional steel springs are used in the chassis, for an extra charge - an adaptive Airmatic system with air springs.
In addition, among the options are thruster rear wheels, the angle of rotation of which is up to 4.5 degrees.
Versions with in-line 6-cylinder engines will appear before the end of the year. A sports modification of AMG will also be released - it will be equipped with a “rechargeable hybrid” installation. There will be no more V8 engine in the E-Class range.
The E-Class coupe and convertible will be released separately. A new stretch sedan for China is also expected.
The outgoing generation E-Class W213 has been produced since 2016.
Mercedes-Benz unveils all-new E-Class
