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2024 Mercedes-Benz E Class Revealed With EQ And S-Class Technology
Mercedes-Benz is leaping into the future with avant-garde EVs like the EQE and EQS, but the automaker hasn’t forgotten the models that built its legacy. It is now breathing fresh life into the long-running E-class sedan for 2024. The new generation brings a lineup of hybridized powertrains and a futuristic interior that can be optioned with three screens and a selfie camera.
Visually, the new E-Class carries on with the three-box silhouette that has characterized its predecessors since the nameplate appeared in 1994 (the model’s lineage goes back much further, but the E-Class designation is relatively recent). Its wheelbase is about an inch longer than the outgoing model’s, a decision made to give second-row passengers more space, and the flush-mounted door handles already seen on the S-Class, among other models, have trickled down. There’s a lot more going on in the design department than initially meets the eye: For example, the little wave on the bottom part of the headlights echoes the four-light front-end design seen on many older E-Class variants, like the W210. And, the beltline crease ends above the front door handles to create a smooth surface and picks up again a few feet later.
Inside, up to three screens (MBUX) take up space on the dash, depending on the specification. One screen is for the digital instrument cluster (12.8 inches), another is for the infotainment hub (14.4 inches), and a third and final screen faces the front passenger and features controls for some vehicle functions, along with entertainment and navigation options (12.3 inches). Content shown on the screens is generated by the vehicle’s operating system, as well as the infotainment system. However, third-party apps can also be installed. Mercedes gave examples of TikTok, Angry Birds, Zync video streaming, and the web browser Vivaldi. Apps such as Zoom can also be used, thanks to a dash-mounted camera facing the driver and front passenger.
On the engines, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot (E350) with 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque is the base engine while E450 4Matic employs a 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 375 horses and 369 lb-ft. Both models provide an additional 20 hp and 148 lb-ft of boost from the electric motor. The top speed of the 350 and 450 is limited to 130 mph. Other engines include a 2.0-liter diesel E220d (195bhp, plus the option of 4WD), and the 2.0-liter petrol plug-in hybrids E300 e and E400 e.
Mercedes’ 9G-tronic automatic transmission is standard across the range and has been updated for improved efficiency. with an electric auxiliary oil pump that reduces the delivery rate by 30% compared to its predecessor. Even the 4Matic all-wheel drive system has been refined. The front axle drive can withstand greater torque, allowing for ideal axle load distributions.
When it comes to driving, an available Technology package will add air suspension with adjustable dampers, as well as rear-wheel steering. The addition of the rear-wheel-steering system reduces the turning circle of the E-Class by up to 35.4 inches.
Standard electronic driver-assist features will include a driver-attention monitor, automatic emergency braking, active lane control, speed limit information, and automatic parking.
