The quintessential Mercedes Benz, the E-Class is up for a major revamp, and should see its International debut ahead of the Detroit Motor Show.
The Mercedes Benz E-Class is the staple car for the German luxury brand, and is one of their largest selling models. With the likes of the 2016 Audi A6 and the 2017 BMW 5-series hogging the limelight, it’s high time the E-Class made a pitch for itself. The old model has been on sale since 2010 and had a major facelift in 2014, but Mercedes now feel it’s time for a brand new car to take the reins.
The new E-class will be based on Mercedes’ brand new modular MRA platform. Similar to the VW MQB platform, the Mercedes MRA platform makes extensive use of ultra-light weight materials and should also be compatible with alternate powertrains. The MRA platform is currently employed in the 2015 C-Class and the new 2015 GLC. What this means, is that the new E-Class will be lighter, more rigid and more efficient than the outgoing model. Another area being targeted by Mercedes, is Autonomous driving systems! And the new E-Class will directly benefit from this research. The first of these tech upgrades would be a very sophisticated remote parking system.
In terms of design, the new E-Class is ridiculously similar to both its siblings – the S-Class and the C-Class. The new signature design employed by Mercedes is evident from all angles on the E-Class, with its conservative lines and gaping front end. Both front and rear light housings are inspired by the S-Class. The new car has a gentler C-pillar slope along with a sculpted rear boot, again directly inspired by its siblings. The new E-Class design isn’t too inspiring and spectacular but it gets the job done for Mercedes.
Shots of the interior reveal a rather up-market design. The new interior would feature adaptive lighting, similar to the S-Class, along with a large touch screen in the centre console that merges with the Speedometer and Tachometer. In case of the interior, the inspiration from S-Class is definitely a great step forward for the E-class.
Mercedes will offer an all-new straight six motor on the new E-Class, which would share parts with smaller displacement three and four cylinder motors. This is a part of Mercedes’ modular strategy, which is directly in sync with the MRA architecture. The top of the line E63 AMG would now be powered by the smaller 4-litre V8 from the AMG GT, but will be tuned to churn out nearly 600 horses. The standard car would be mated to an all new Mercedes nine speed transmission.
The new E-Class, though not confirmed will also be significantly larger than its older model since the prototype introduced by Mercedes features larger dimensions. The new E-Class will most likely feature a longer wheel base. The car might also be available in multiple body styles including a Sedan, Cabriolet, Long Wheel Base model, Wagon and Coupe. Mercedes also plan to launch a third generation CLS which would essentially be a four-door coupe version of the new E-Class.
The new Mercedes E-Class should see an international launch in 2017 and will make its way to Indian shores as well in the same year. Mercedes though, would be re-considering their diesel engine line-up in India very closely, with the advent of the large displacement diesel engine ban in Delhi. And they might even consider leading the charge in India with a smaller 4 pot motor. Mercedes has definitely caught everyone’s attention with the new E-Class, and will hopefully step up their game in the German Executive category.
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