During a preview event in Stuttgart, Mercedes-Benz revealed a slew of new technology that will be fitted to its next-generation fighter in the executive segment, the W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, ahead of the car’s slated debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. The list of deeply impressive new features run the gamut from smartphone integration to cutting-edge safety tech and autonomous driving.
First things first – with the new E-Class, the smartphone becomes your key, thereby bringing a whole new meaning to the term “keyless entry and start.” Simply tap a phone with Near Field Communication (NFC) – such as an iPhone 6 or various Samsung or Sony Android phones – on the driver’s door handle to lock and unlock the car. Once inside, placing the phone on the wireless charging plate enables the ignition. A secure SIM card is required for these functions to be available, however.
Also operable via a smartphone is the car’s Remote Parking Pilot function, similar to the new G11 BMW 7 Series‘ Remote Control Parking feature – albeit here it’s capable of full parallel and perpendicular parking as well, rather than just driving in and out of a tight space. A circular motion on the touchscreen controls the process; lift your finger and the whole action will stop.
This approach of incorporating the car’s functions (including personal settings such as seating and mirror positions) into a smartphone differs distinctly from Munich’s tactic of building a sophisticated Display Key with a touchscreen, and means that there’s probably a better chance of added functionality being incorporated through software updates in the future. It could make having multiple drivers much easier, too.
But there’s so much more to it than that – the W213 will also feature an evolution of the facelifted CLS‘ Multibeam adaptive LED headlight technology. The number of diodes has been increased from 24 to 84 – the expanded reach of light and higher definition improves the dimming of certain portions of the high beam (to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic), enables curve-following lighting or an increased spread for low-speed driving, and allows for the switch between low and high beam all without the need for moving parts.
The other innovations concern safety. Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) has been around for some time, of course, but the W213’s Active Brake Assist will also be able to scan other lanes for other cars, initiating the braking procedure sooner if it detects evasive action is not possible. The system will also be able to detect cross traffic and brake accordingly to avoid or mitigate a collision.
Additionally, a new Evasive Steering Assist detects if the driver is performing a steering manoeuvre to avoid obstacles such as pedestrians and other vehicles, and can add or reduce steering torque to either provide a larger clearance around the obstacle or to stabilise the car. However, it won’t initiate the manoeuvre by itself; keep the steering straight and it will brake instead.
Improvements made to the Distronic adaptive cruise control (now called Distance Pilot Distronic) brings forth new features, including Speed Limit Pilot, which slows down or speeds up the car depending on the speed limits detected by a camera or inputed into the navigation system. The Active Lane Keeping Assist also now works at speeds of up to 200 km/h, and can even follow unmarked roads – tailing cars ahead and scanning roadside furniture such as reflector posts, barriers and buildings to stay on track – at speeds up to 100 km/h.
Also uprated is the Pre-Safe system – the new Pre-Safe Sound function senses if a collision is not preventable, and plays an interference sound just before impact. This stimulates the stapedius muscle in the ear, which contracts in response to loud noise, protecting the ears from the bang of a crash.
There’s also Pre-Safe Impulse Side, which uses the seats’ inflatable side bolsters to punt you closer to the centre of the car in a side collision, giving you increased survival space. The new inflatable seatbelt fitted to the W213 is more comfortable than on other cars, with a smaller buckle and no restriction on seatbelt length.
Mercedes-Benz’s vehicle-to-vehicle communications infrastructure, called car-to-X, is fully-integrated for the first time, utilising the built-in SIM card-enabled communication module; previously it was part of a Drive Kit Plus for the iPhone, using the Digital DriveStyle App. So equipped, the W213 can send and receive data on traffic and road conditions to a server, which will broadcast signals to other road users nearby – sudden slowdowns, accidents, breakdowns or slippery road conditions can all be reported.
The E-Class will be the first car to use such networking, but it can also hook up to other compatible systems if/when they come online, and can even tap into government-linked traffic reporting. It’s also claimed to be secure, with the system deleting all personal data as soon as the car is verified.
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You can’t use the iPhone 6’s NFC for anything other than Apple Pay.
Whats the point of having to tap your phone on the car? Wouldn’t it be easier to just keep the keys in your pocket and just grab the door handle like we do now?
they(RTD) should add another class to our malaysian driving license..
http://paultan.org/2012/08/27/byd-f3-su-rui-on-sale-1-5-and-1-5-turbo-remote-controlled-driving-for-65900-to-100000rmb/
now, Benz also copy China Car.
wah..remote pilot…same as RR evoque..nice nice
Come on, can’t afford a bigger garage?
I prefer a normal key or a card for keyless entry. No need to bother taking out keys or smart phone from my pocket or bag.
I thought waze was the first networking systemn to provide interactive traffic and road conditions to a server, which will broadcast signals to other road users nearby – sudden slowdowns, accidents or breakdowns?
And even better can tell us when there is traffic policemen ahead
Quite dangerous if u are alone. If a robber grabs steals the driver’s smartphone? OR If the driver’s smartphone suddenly malfunctions or is broken. Then, how to start the car? The E-class and C-class all look very similar to the S-class design. Lazy design team at Mercedes.
Not so smart for a typical basher aren’t you? How about a hint? Touch ID ;)
Bro, ur comments are totally correct and legit. These German’s at mercedes are seriously lazy with their current models. LOL A-class, B-class , C-class and E-class all look strikingly similar.The faces of each model all look the same.Lazy jokers.
Yes, it is seriously dangerous if example I steal ur smartphone and thats it!! I have access to ur brand new Mercedes. This shitty latest tech will make drivers like us more vulnerable to thieves and worst part is people see us in a mercedes-benz= luxury car bro. Latest Smartphone link tech looks nice on paper yes but totally rubbish on practicality if used in real life.
These engineers at mercedes think we are like Aiden Pierce from watchdogs. LOL. Encouraging car jacking in the future.
whats the difference if currently someone steals your car key ? same outcome with stealing your phone, both allows the theif to drive your car away.
People walk around with their smartphones out of their pockets in general nowadays. Eyes and faces focussed on their phones. Car keys usually are tucked inside a person’s pocket.
Our 2 friends m$m and mercfan seriously have pointed out a flaw with this so called latest technology. Anyone can become a carjacker like Aiden Pierce from watchdogs by hacking into someones smartphone and steal their beloved Mercedes-Benz. No offence to anyone here. Peace paultan readers.
Why bother. We will never see any of these features in the Malaysian’s specs. MBM is too greedy to offer any nice goodies with their car.
Even the new C250 has been strip down from the previous generation. The old model had intelligent lights with High Beam Assist and Command Online with DVD and Web access. The new one makes do with only the crappy Audio 20. Even the BMW 328i Luxury has the professional i-drive system with 8.8 screen and DVD system.
At RM300K one would expect MBM to offer the LED intelligent lights, command online, distronic plus, lane assist and power boot instead of that stupid Airmatic panel which makes the car lines look worst and useless Air-Balance package.
Common MBM you can do better than that. Offer useful options to customers!The sound system in the 328i is much better compared to what we get here for the C250. Even your Singapore counterpart is able to offer the power boot, LED intelligent lights on their Basic C200 Exclusive/Avantgarde models let alone the C250!
perhaps one-third of it will be in E250. And half of it in E300/400. Otherwise, there’s always grey importers/recond cars if you’d like to get a crème de la crème car if u don’t mind paying the premium.
All this does it make us drool and hate you more MBM!
Seriously the best or nothing.
Like playing Game App – Cooking Mama…
what a shame that they decided to ditch the distinctive e-class design that stood out from the rest. The current design is pleasant to the eyes and now they wanna make all models look alike.
what a shame…
All the new Mercedes have been nothing short of beautiful and brilliant. Trust me, once the camos are off and we see it in skin, we would drool over the car like a 10 year old boy
Key-less entry was created so you’d to avoid digging into your pocket for stuff. Also, not sure how this works with a gazillion cars behind you in a car park. You’d be patient to use this feature for a week or two, nothing more
trust me, if you drive this car with this feature, you’d probably still do it with the gazillion cars behind you. The same reason people still buy and drive Ferrari and Lamborghini in Klang Valley (despite all its speed bumps and potholes), i.e. the show-off value :)
That’s a lot of tech into a car but some are questionable especially the ‘keyless’ entry haha.
Funny to see Mercedes one up the remote parking when compared to BMW’s flagship 7er but this feature looks gimmicky to me and I doubt we will use it here.