W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class – full details, pics, video

At long last, after several teasers, a bucket-load of spyshots and an official reveal of the interior, here is the new W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. While it may not be a look that you may find all too surprising, given the leaked exterior photos from before, we do now have a load of official details to finally share with you.

The 10th-generation E-Class is said to offer customers a whole new experience with the model, and is a showcase of a series of new technology innovations from Mercedes-Benz. This new experience starts with a whole new body that is based on the brand’s modular MRA platform that was first used on the W205 C-Class.

The new E-Class is 43 mm longer than before, boasting a total overall length of 4,923 mm. Its wheelbase has grown by 65 mm for a total 2,939 mm, reducing the vehicle’s overhangs in the process. It is also just 2 mm narrower than its predecessor, and rides 6 mm lower than before.

For its market launch, Mercedes-Benz has confirmed that just two engines will be available at first – one petrol and one diesel. More engines will of course arrive later, varying in availability to suit markets around the world.

For now, the range starts with an E 200 variant that will feature a returning 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine that delivers 184 hp and 300 Nm of torque. This will motivate the base petrol E-Class to perform the century sprint in 7.7 seconds. A fuel consumption figure of 5.9 litres per 100 km has been claimed.

The second engine option is a brand-new 2.0 litre (1,950 cc) turbodiesel four-pot which makes 195 hp and 400 Nm of torque. The oil-burner is capable of an even quicker 7.3-second dash from standstill to 100 km/h, and promises to return fuel consumption figure of just 3.9 litres per 100 km. The new four-pot diesel mill effective replaces the trusty 2.1-litre turbodiesel that resides in our local W212 E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, for example.

It is said that the two new variants (E 200, E 200 d) will be equipped with Mercedes-Benz’s latest 9G-Tronic torque converter automatic transmission. However, while we do anticipate other variants to adopt this gearbox as well, it is possible to see different transmission options for the plug-in hybrid, AMG Sport model and full-blown AMG E 63 variants.

There will also be a more powerful E 350 d (3.0 V6 turbodiesel) with 258 hp and 620 Nm, and an E 350 e plug-in hybrid (2.0 turbo petrol with electric assistance) with a total system output of 279 hp and 600 Nm to come later. They will be joined by a 245 hp E 300 (2.0 litre turbo) and a 333 hp E 400 (3.0 turbo V6).

The new E-Class is equipped with a fixed steel suspension system as standard, and as usual, there are three types of suspension fittings – a basic Comfort suspension, a comfortable Avantgarde suspension (lowers vehicle by 15 mm) and a new Sports suspension with adaptive damping to replace the previous fixed Sports suspension.

Should these suspension systems not do the trick for you, there is also the optional multi-chamber all-around air suspension – a class-exclusive option, seeing as how its competitors have previously only offered air suspension at the rear axle only. The Air Body Control system offers self-levelling capabilities and maintains optimal ride height, comfort and sportiness based on prevailing road and driving characteristics. The air suspension modes can also be set manually via the Dynamic Select button.

Having seen the W213 E-Class from a set of leaked photos, we know that the new car’s styling very closely resembles that of the new W205 C-Class and W222 S-Class. The body features more curves than ever, contributing to a drag coefficient value of 0.23 – a record-breaking figure for the segment, so the German car maker claims.

All W213 E-Class variants with a bonnet-mounted star will also feature an Airpanel front-grille shutter system, similar to that seen on the latest C-Class. The system opens the radiator grille by means of adjustable louvres when extra cooling is required and additionally features a second shutter in the air intake beneath the number plate to further improve the system’s overall performance.

Avantgarde (red car in pictures) and AMG line (grey) models are available for the new E-Class, positioning the Three-Pointed Star in the centre of the front grille. However, appreciators of the more traditional bonnet-mounted star may opt for their E-Class with the Exclusive line (blue).

The entire rear of the vehicle features a similar shape to the current C- and S-Class models. The single-piece tail lights feature a two-bar design similar to that of the W205 C-Class – you may recall that the S-Class has a three-bar design instead.

Mercedes-Benz says that there is also an optional “stardust effect” rear lighting system which it describes as a “highlight reminiscent of stardust, the Milky Way or the glow of a jet engine.” The feature makes its debut appearance on the new E-Class. The effect is created with the use of reflectors and a specially configured structure for the tail lights.

Inside, Mercedes-Benz has generously revealed pretty much all there is to see with what it claims is its “next-level interior design.” As seen before, the dashboard is a fine middle-ground of what the W222 S-Class and W205 C-Class has offer.

On higher-spec variants, dual 12.3-inch display screens form the instrument panel and the centre display screen, while base-spec cars will have to settle for just the single screen on the centre console. Refusing to go with the touch-sensitive display screen route, Mercedes-Benz has instead opted for a pair of touch-sensitive buttons on the steering for its infotainment system.

The latest-gen COMAND Online system is available, encompassing the double display screens and Touch Control Buttons on the steering wheel with new design graphics and functions. Vehicles equipped with the system also get a wireless, inductive charging system that works with all mobile devices that either support the Qi standard or can be upgraded to this standard.

The charging pad, built into the stowage facility at the front of the centre console, is compatible with mobile phones with a screen diagonal of up to six inches. When the “NFC” logo is touched, the system connects the mobile phone to the head unit and the exterior aerials via Near Field Communication (NFC). Additionally, audiophiles may want to consider the optional 23-speaker Burmester 3D surround sound system as well.

There are new sculpted seats for potential owners to embrace, a new three-piece 40/20/40 split rear backrest with a holder for a mobile tablet device and not to forget, the impressive 64-colour ambient lighting system, amongst other items. Merc has also seen to it to include a Heat Comfort package which introduces heated armrests in the doors and centre console.

As expected, the new E-Class is also equipped with an array of new tech. If you’ve not been clued in already, the car comes is available with a Remote Parking Pilot system (smartphone-controller parking feature), Car-to-X communication (car-to-car communication), and Digital Vehicle Key (NFC tech allows smartphones to become a car key). Not forgetting Drive Pilot, the brand’s autonomous driving system.

Safety features galore, the W213 E-Class is not short of Mercedes-Benz’s latest offerings. To highlight a few key items, an Active Brake Assist system is equipped as standard, and is available with a cross-traffic function. Evasive Steering Assist is a brand-new item, which assists drivers who perform sudden evasive, and corrective manoeuvres later, with optimal steering torque to support the movement of the wheel.

There are several other existing advanced assistance systems in the new E-Class as well, including Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Lane Change Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Pre-Safe Plus and more. Notably, the Pre-Safe system has been updated with a new Impulse side and Sound capabilities.

Pre-Safe Impulse side allows the W213 to move its driver or front passenger away danger zones once an imminent side impact is detected. The system inflates an air chamber in the side bolster of the front seat backrest nearest to the side of the impact, creating a greater distance between the impact and the occupant.

On the other hand, Pre-Safe Sound is a feature that is based on the human reflex in the inner ear. Mercedes-Benz describes this function to, “emit a short interference signal through the vehicle’s sound system if the risk of a collision is detected. This signal can trigger the natural reflex and thus prepare the occupants’ ears for the expected sound of the accident.”

W213 Mercedes-Benz E-Class AMG Line

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