MERCEDES-Benz is changing tack. This is evident when one looks at the company’s latest design language that seems to have denounced those rather classical, if a little staid, design elements of the past.
The latest range from the three-pointed star has definitely switched its threads of yore to something slightly more youthful, while still pandering to the core fans of the brand who prefer elegant designs and minimal frills. Of course, corporate identity has become a rather a pivotal piece of the automotive design puzzle where manufacturers’ vehicles have more than a whiff of resemblance across their respective ranges.
Audi has been at this juncture for a number of years and received a fair bit of flack from the motoring press about its lack of design creativity when it came to its saloons. Think A4, A6 and A8 models — you get the idea.
Fast forward to 2016 and, lo and behold, Merc has also taken a leaf out of the Ingolstadt manufacturer’s design book. It all began with the launch of the current S-Class, which inspired the current C-Class’s silhouette, which in turn sees the latest E-Class, which we drove in Portugal recently, also adopting a cookie-cutter design. As I clapped eyes on the 10th generation E-Class, I could not help but see a slightly bigger C-Class and very little else, actually.
Apart from the rear badge discernment and slightly elongated profile, I have a distinct feeling that when the E-Class arrives in SA in June it will be something of a rather incognito affair. The model has up to now been unique in its design, but that has all changed with the latest offering.
Thankfully, under that familiar veneer is a vehicle that is miles ahead of the game, perhaps even setting the bar in the segment until the next generation BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 make their respective debuts.
Technology and safety play a key role and the latest E-Class comes stacked to the hilt with all sorts of segment firsts.
The cabin in the new model is a simple yet classy affair, particularly with the optional, one-piece TFT screen that is home to both the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. In fact, it looks even more upmarket and better integrated than the dual tablet screens in the latest S-Class range, although we have it on good account that the flagship model will adopt this latest setup when it is face-lifted next year.
The latest E-Class is 43mm longer at 4,923mm than its predecessor, while being 2mm narrower at 1,852mm and 3mm lower at 1,468mm than its forebear. Overall track at 1,626mm is 7mm wider, while the wheelbase at 2,939mm is 65mm longer. Boot capacity at 530l has shrunk by 10l, largely due to the 6mm increase in rear knee room now measuring 75mm.
When the vehicle arrives it will be offered in three engine flavours in the form of the 2.0l turbo petrol with 135kW and 300Nm in the E200, the new 2.0l turbodiesel with 143kW and 400Nm in the E220d, and the 3.0l V6 turbodiesel making 190kW and 620Nm. All these will come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both the E400 and the E350e plug-in hybrid will be made available later, the latter no sooner than 2017.
I drove the new E-Class in Lisbon, Portugal and first impressions were of how smooth the new four-cylinder turbodiesel engine is and how supple the ride quality is with the optional air suspension. Replacing the old and frankly agricultural 2.1l turbodiesel that has done duty in a variety of models from the stable, the new smaller engine is not only more powerful and refined it is also more economical with claimed figures of 3.9l/100km and 102g/km of carbon emissions, although we managed a figure of 6.8l/100km during our launch drive, which is still impressive. The new engine features an aluminium head and block with steel pistons and is lighter and more compact than the outgoing engine.
The E350e plug-in hybrid model, which uses a 2.0l turbo petrol engine (155kW and 350Nm) that is augmented by a 65kW and 440Nm electric motor, has a combined system output of 211kW and 550Nm. Claimed consumption figures stand at 2.1l/100km, while carbon emissions are pegged at 49g/km. The electric motor when fully charged has a range of up to 30km/h and we managed about 24km, which admittedly included some steep inclines, but the system is impressive, although pricing could be somewhat of a contentious topic.
What is even more impressive with the new model is the Drive Pilot system, which is essentially a semi-autonomous driver function that over and above having the ability to keep a safe following distance from a vehicle ahead, can now also steer itself through bends, particularly on the open road as we experienced during our launch drive. The system is said to even compensate for poorly marked lanes by using surrounding vehicles and parallel structures to manoeuvre, thanks to the stereo camera located behind the rear view mirror as well as various sensors.
Active Lane-change Assistant is yet another function of the system, which allows you to simply flick the indicator to change lanes on the freeway and the vehicle takes over steering duties autonomously. Of course, the entire system works at 60-second intervals at which point it reminds the driver to place his or her hands on the steering wheel to ensure that they remain in control of the vehicle. Should the system’s chimes be ignored by the driver, however, then it automatically slows down the vehicle and puts on the hazards to warn vehicles behind before bringing the car to a stop.
It is a great system in the event that the driver has a heart attack or other medical emergency and is unable to operate the vehicle.
In the grand scheme of things, the new E-Class seems to be the benchmark of its segment with a heap of technological advancements under its belt, the details of which we will examine further in our next edition.
For now, though, we can attest to the fact that the E-Class has truly laid down the gauntlet for the rest of the pack to follow.
Pricing
E200 R707,100 E220d R759,100 E350d R946,300
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On the outside, not much seems to have changed. Inside, however, is a different story. Picture: DAIMLER AG
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On the outside, not much seems to have changed. Inside, however, is a different story. Picture: DAIMLER AG Picture: DAIMLER AG
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The cabin in the new model is a simple yet classy affair. Picture: DAIMLER AG
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The rear design echoes those of its C- and S-Class siblings. Picture: DAIMLER AG
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Technology and safety play a key role and the latest E-Class comes stacked to the hilt with all sorts of segment firsts. Picture: DAIMLER AG
MERCEDES-Benz is changing tack. This is evident when one looks at the company’s latest design language that seems to have denounced those rather classical, if a little staid, design elements of the past.
The latest range from the three-pointed star has definitely switched its threads of yore to something slightly more youthful, while still pandering to the core fans of the brand who prefer elegant designs and minimal frills. Of course, corporate identity has become a rather a pivotal piece of the automotive design puzzle where manufacturers’ vehicles have more than a whiff of resemblance across their respective ranges.
Audi has been at this juncture for a number of years and received a fair bit of flack from the motoring press about its lack of design creativity when it came to its saloons. Think A4, A6 and A8 models — you get the idea.
Fast forward to 2016 and, lo and behold, Merc has also taken a leaf out of the Ingolstadt manufacturer’s design book. It all began with the launch of the current S-Class, which inspired the current C-Class’s silhouette, which in turn sees the latest E-Class, which we drove in Portugal recently, also adopting a cookie-cutter design. As I clapped eyes on the 10th generation E-Class, I could not help but see a slightly bigger C-Class and very little else, actually.
Apart from the rear badge discernment and slightly elongated profile, I have a distinct feeling that when the E-Class arrives in SA in June it will be something of a rather incognito affair. The model has up to now been unique in its design, but that has all changed with the latest offering.
Thankfully, under that familiar veneer is a vehicle that is miles ahead of the game, perhaps even setting the bar in the segment until the next generation BMW 5 Series and Audi A6 make their respective debuts.
Technology and safety play a key role and the latest E-Class comes stacked to the hilt with all sorts of segment firsts.
The cabin in the new model is a simple yet classy affair, particularly with the optional, one-piece TFT screen that is home to both the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. In fact, it looks even more upmarket and better integrated than the dual tablet screens in the latest S-Class range, although we have it on good account that the flagship model will adopt this latest setup when it is face-lifted next year.
The latest E-Class is 43mm longer at 4,923mm than its predecessor, while being 2mm narrower at 1,852mm and 3mm lower at 1,468mm than its forebear. Overall track at 1,626mm is 7mm wider, while the wheelbase at 2,939mm is 65mm longer. Boot capacity at 530l has shrunk by 10l, largely due to the 6mm increase in rear knee room now measuring 75mm.
When the vehicle arrives it will be offered in three engine flavours in the form of the 2.0l turbo petrol with 135kW and 300Nm in the E200, the new 2.0l turbodiesel with 143kW and 400Nm in the E220d, and the 3.0l V6 turbodiesel making 190kW and 620Nm. All these will come standard with a nine-speed automatic transmission. Both the E400 and the E350e plug-in hybrid will be made available later, the latter no sooner than 2017.
I drove the new E-Class in Lisbon, Portugal and first impressions were of how smooth the new four-cylinder turbodiesel engine is and how supple the ride quality is with the optional air suspension. Replacing the old and frankly agricultural 2.1l turbodiesel that has done duty in a variety of models from the stable, the new smaller engine is not only more powerful and refined it is also more economical with claimed figures of 3.9l/100km and 102g/km of carbon emissions, although we managed a figure of 6.8l/100km during our launch drive, which is still impressive. The new engine features an aluminium head and block with steel pistons and is lighter and more compact than the outgoing engine.
The E350e plug-in hybrid model, which uses a 2.0l turbo petrol engine (155kW and 350Nm) that is augmented by a 65kW and 440Nm electric motor, has a combined system output of 211kW and 550Nm. Claimed consumption figures stand at 2.1l/100km, while carbon emissions are pegged at 49g/km. The electric motor when fully charged has a range of up to 30km/h and we managed about 24km, which admittedly included some steep inclines, but the system is impressive, although pricing could be somewhat of a contentious topic.
What is even more impressive with the new model is the Drive Pilot system, which is essentially a semi-autonomous driver function that over and above having the ability to keep a safe following distance from a vehicle ahead, can now also steer itself through bends, particularly on the open road as we experienced during our launch drive. The system is said to even compensate for poorly marked lanes by using surrounding vehicles and parallel structures to manoeuvre, thanks to the stereo camera located behind the rear view mirror as well as various sensors.
Active Lane-change Assistant is yet another function of the system, which allows you to simply flick the indicator to change lanes on the freeway and the vehicle takes over steering duties autonomously. Of course, the entire system works at 60-second intervals at which point it reminds the driver to place his or her hands on the steering wheel to ensure that they remain in control of the vehicle. Should the system’s chimes be ignored by the driver, however, then it automatically slows down the vehicle and puts on the hazards to warn vehicles behind before bringing the car to a stop.
It is a great system in the event that the driver has a heart attack or other medical emergency and is unable to operate the vehicle.
In the grand scheme of things, the new E-Class seems to be the benchmark of its segment with a heap of technological advancements under its belt, the details of which we will examine further in our next edition.
For now, though, we can attest to the fact that the E-Class has truly laid down the gauntlet for the rest of the pack to follow.
Pricing
E200 R707,100 E220d R759,100 E350d R946,300
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