If you fancied an upmarket station wagon that is taller riding than the usual, there was the Audi A6 Allroad and previously the Volvo XC70. More recently with the introduction of the Volvo V90 Cross Country, Mercedes-Benz has now finally joined the fray with the E-Class All-Terrain, which is set to go on display at the Paris Motor Show next month.
In form, it is essentially a raised E-Class station wagon, with added dark plastic body cladding on the wheel arches plus front and rear skid plates for added underbody protection. There’s also the chunkier looking front grille to distinguish itself from the standard E-Class.
The E-Class All-Terrain comes standard with 4Matic all-wheel-drive as well as Air Body Control air suspension to further its rough-roading ability, while three new sets of wheels measuring 19 and 20 inches in diameter have been designed specifically for this model.
Inside, aluminium-carbon look trim sets the All-Terrain apart from its other E-Class siblings, along with stainless steel pedals and “All-Terrain” lettering on the floor mats. Cabin equipment for the All-Terrain is based on the Avantgarde trim line, while Exclusive and designo line options will be available to customers in the United Kingdom.
Under the hood, the E-Class all-Terrain will debut with the 194 hp/400 Nm four-cylinder turbodiesel in E220d 4Matic guise, which will propel the toughened-up estate from a standstill to 100 km/h in eight seconds, while top speed is rated at 232 km/h.
For those after an even beefier powerplant, the larger, six-cylinder turbodiesel is expected to debut in the All-Terrain next year. In both powertrain forms, Mercedes’ latest nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission will come as standard.
Now for the rough-roading part: the E-Class All-Terrain gets Dynamic Select as standard, which will give drivers five driving modes to choose from. The All-Terrain mode is derived from the GLE SUV, which will raise the car by 20 mm; this can be done at speed of up to 35 km/h. The suspension can be raised even further, up to an additional 35 mm thanks to three driver-selectable ride heights from the air suspension.
The result of the this chassis adjustability, according to Mercedes-Benz, is a variable ground clearance of between 121 and 156 mm, depending on the level selected. However, both the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country ride 29 mm higher than the E-Class All-Terrain. Full specifications and pricing details are expected early in 2017.
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Mick Chan
Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.
Station wagon. Hard to sell
Only in asia
Wondering why?
Because it just looks like a hearse.
But nowdays hearses are Toyota Alphards
BMW won’t sell allroad wagons because they don’t know how to make tough cars.
BMW build car that attract chic, not build car that carry death body.
like a longer but shorter GLC. u need to play ‘spot the difference’!
Good choice for Nirvana, when they need to pick up from rural area where there is no proper tarred road.
To me, that 156mm alone is a deal breaker.
All-terrain, cross country ???
Sorry to say but looks ugly in front (exterior). Volvo s90 cross country will kill this easily.
Oh God, the V90 looks way waaaaayyy better than this.
OMG…ya, Volvo V90 looks better this time…
not everybody can make roti canai. but they try and fail miserably.
Audi has the Allroad. Now Mercedes wants a piece of the action. But missing the point that Audi never really sold too many of the Allroads.
Somehow or rather, only Volvo and Subaru manages to make the concept work. Maybe the clientele? Or Crocodile Dundee?
aiyo leave this to the experts la merc….volvo the best