The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class arrives with bolder looks and a technologically-savvy cabin.
Mercedes-Benz has recently unveiled the new E-Class saloon, and its packing loads of tech and upgrades to stand toe-to-toe with the competition.
With this new generation, its wheelbase has grown 22mm, and its bold new looks have some people sitting on the fence.
I’m of course talking about the new taillights, which now meet in the middle to emphasise the width of the car. The new light signature features the German brand’s star motif, and I’m not sure about you, but I do appreciate the predecessor’s more.
Up front, the new E-Class also receives new headlights. These flank a redesigned grille that maintains the same design language as its larger S-Class sibling. This grille will also change looks depending on which trim variant customers pick.
An illuminated surround LED array is now available for the first time too, lighting up as part of the welcome and leaving animation, and it works in tandem with the daytime running lights when driving.
Step into the cabin and the first thing that would immediately catch your eye is the new third-generation MBUX setup. Dubbed the MBUX Superscreen, you can spec your E-Class with an optional passenger display. MBUX also now gets icons which are colour-coded so they will be familiar to smartphone users.
To make life easier for users and developers alike, this new MBUX system will also support the installation of third-party apps. Nice!
The updated MBUX system can remember routines too, making life more convenient for owners. For example, users can set the car up to turn on the climate control to a given temperature and turn on the seat heating just by activating a single command.
With tighter emission standards globally, the new E-Class receives a new mild-hybrid powertrain option – a 201 bhp 2.0-litre mild-hybrid powerplant.
Peak torque is rated at 320Nm, and its integrated electrical starter-generator now pushes out an additional 23 bhp. This combo will be paired to a 9-speed automatic gearbox and enable the car to complete the century sprint in a brisk 7.5 seconds.
The E-Class will also be offered as an E300e plug-in hybrid (PHEV), pushing out 308 bhp and 550 Nm of torque. An E400e PHEV will also be available, pushing these figures to 375 bhp and 650 Nm of torque. Both these variants will come with an integrated 25.4kWh battery for electrical support.
No details have been revealed by Mercedes-Benz on when the E-Class will arrive on our shores, but we’re speculating it’ll arrive sometime in Q4 2023.
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