Mercedes Benz E Class (W213)

Development

Mercedes-Benz claimed the whole development process stretched over 48 months. In that time, it produced 1,200 prototypes and driven a combined 12 million kilometres in some of the world's toughest conditions, from sub-zero temperatures in the snow through to the world's hottest deserts. In testing the car, Mercedes-Benz also had its prototypes conduct over 10,000 autonomous braking procedures and 5,000 automated lane changes as part of the Distronic suite of semi-autonomous driving features. Moreover, it took 1,200 engineers to make the 2017 E-Class.

Overview

After Mercedes-Benz invested close to €1 billion into the development of the extensive refresh to the 2014 mid-life facelift of W212 E-Class, most likely the most expensive mid-life facelift in the history of the automobile, the next generation E-Class was unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show. The 2017 E-Class has a design similar to that of the larger W222 S-Class and the smaller W205 C-Class. While the W212 E-Class had a tighter surface and harder edges, the new model is curvier and more flowing. An official design sketch was released in late December 2015, which confirmed that the new E-Class mirrors the styling of the C-Class and S-Class. Official photos of the W213 were leaked on the internet on 4 January 2016 ahead of its unveiling.

Stylistically, the 2017 E-Class followed the latest C-Class, the GLA, and the S-Class coupé. Its front end features Mercedes’ familiar bullet-shaped headlights and an upright grille, while its rear end gets a pair of LED taillights, with similarities to the 2014 E-Class models, that extend into the quarter panels. As on other recent models, the 2017 E-Class features two distinct front-end treatments: a traditional chrome grille and a more sporting blade grille. The aerodynamic efficiency have been refined as the drag coefficient improved from 0.25 in the previous model to a class-leading 0.23.

The inside of the 2017 E-Class was unveiled of a video released by Mercedes-Benz in December 2015. The interior mounts two 12.3-inch full HD screens housed within a single unit. Most E-Class models will receive the widescreen set-up as standard. However, base Avantgarde versions will feature traditional analogue dials with a seven-inch multi-information display, along with an 8.4-inch central infotainment screen. Mercedes-Benz claimed a first for the automotive industry, adding a pair of touch-sensitive control buttons on the steering wheel, which respond to finger swipes to control the car's infotainment system. The more traditional Command controller is also retained on the centre console. The interior was previewed on the Concept IAA (Intelligent Aerodynamic Automobile) that Mercedes showed in September 2015 at the Frankfurt auto show.

Engine options for the W213 E-Class will see a major update, thanks to the switch to inline-6 engines from the current V6 engines, along a new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines (OM654) and existing four-cylinder petrol engines (M274). All engines, save for the AMG V8, will come with Mercedes’ 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox as standard. Alongside standard rear-wheel drive, selected engines will be offered with optional four-wheel drive.

The fifth-generation model was first released in the saloon configuration, which went on sale in the summer 2016, while an Estate, offering a similar 695-litre luggage capacity to its predecessor, is due to go on sale towards the end of 2016. A two-door Coupe will arrive in 2017, before the Convertible completes the line-up towards the end of 2017.

W212 facelift comparison

The fifth-generation model, codenamed W213, adopts Mercedes’ modular MRA platform, as used by the latest C-Class and S-Class models. The W213 E-Class grow in size to 4923mm in length (grown by 43mm). The wheelbase also extends by 65mm in standard form to 2939mm in wheelbase, resulting in shorter overhangs. This E-Class is also 2mm narrower and 6mm lower than its predecessor. The increased use of high-strength steel and aluminium is claimed to make the car up to 100 kg lighter than the W212 E-Class.

The W213 E-Class features the Sensual Purity design philosophy, a design philosophy previously used on the larger W222 S-Class (2013) and the smaller W205 C-Class (2014). However, the W213 E-Class is seen as an evolution of the facelifted version of W212 (2013), as the two vehicles share several design traits.

The W213 E-Class' front bumper is reminiscent of the facelifted W212's optional sport kit (dubbed the AMG Sports Package), as its governed by two air intakes united by a mesh grille. Compared to the standard front bumper of the W212, which is similar to the one used on the W205 C-Class, the new E-Class' proposal is more aggressive, composed and simple. The classic iconic grille, has simpler, flowing lines, with a more imposing presence on W213, while the sport variant (with the big logo in the middle) isn't so different from the W212. The S-Class inspired, sweptback and rather compact headlights are the styling feature of the new model.

On both cars the doors sit pretty high, squeezing the windows, but the W212 masks this "trait" with a subtle slope towards the headlights. In fact, on the profile of the facelifted W212, it still retains the edgy lines that came out in 2009. At the back, the W213 adopted a fresh design for the lights similar to the S-Class. However, the tailpipes finishers are similar to the ones found on the W212, with the rear bumper keeping its overall shape.

Technology

The W213's technology was previewed at a technical presentation in July 2015. The launch of the 2017 E-Class saw Mercedes move a step closer to autonomous driving, with nine all-new or comprehensively updated driver assistance systems to feature. The car took many of the features seen in the latest S-Class and took them on to a new level.

Autonomous driving

A number of sensors, cameras and radars has allowed semi-automated driving. There may be fewer sensors and cameras than before (12 and four respectively over the W212 model), but they all feature increased functionality which reduces cost and complexity.

The next level of Drive Pilot (codenamed Intelligent Drive) featured on the 2017 E-Class enables the car to negotiate bends on the motorway, while maintaining a safe distance from slower moving vehicles in front at up to speeds of 130 mph. The system is not a hands free operation and an audible alert will prompt the driver into regaining control if the car detects their attention has wandered.

The Steering Pilot function uses visible road markings to navigate bends at speeds of up to 81 mph. The car is able scan the surrounding area as well as the car in front if road markings are unclear to maintain lane discipline. The system is also able to automatically increase or decrease the E-Class’s speed by reading speed limit signs if the driver fails to take any action.

Safety innovations

Active Brake Assist and Evasive Steering Assist work in tandem to warn of and prevent potential collisions in the 2017 E-Class. The first system now features increased functionality, able to provide visible warning of potential danger as well as being able to automatically apply the brakes in an emergency. The system is now also able to detect and analyze moving traffic at junctions ahead. Evasive Steering Assist can detect when a driver is making an evasive action and apply additional steering force to ensure the pedestrian or vehicle is avoided.

Car-to-X Communication is another safety system which enables vehicles on the same road to warn each other of upcoming potential hazards or accidents.

If an unavoidable side collision is detected, PRE-SAFE Impulse Side rapidly inflates the side bolster to move the occupant away from the point of impact, while at the same time PRE-SAFE Sound pumps noise waves through the speakers to reduce hearing damage following a collision.

Mobile connection

A brand new remote parking smartphone app, called Remote Parking Pilot, will allow drivers to park their vehicle from outside of the car to allow for easier ingress and egress. The system only works at very low speeds of 2 mph, with the vehicle also able to lock, unlock and start itself from the app.

Another new smartphone feature is Digital Car Key, which allows the driver's smartphone to be used as a vehicle key - essentially replacing a conventional key fob. The system uses near field communication which also allows the car to be locked and unlocked even if the phone is out of battery.

Adaptive LED Matrix Lighting

Introduced on the CLS for 2014, Mercedes’ Multibeam LED headlamps are enhanced for the 2017 E-class. The individual LED count increases from 24 to 84, each individually controllable—switching between high- and low-beams, and the curve-following adaptive-lighting functions are now achieved entirely via electronics. The light pattern is also altered in city driving or via information from the navigation system (such as when approaching intersections). Additionally, the light unit glows blue.

As with the mid-cycle refresh of W212, the 2017 E-Class features two larger units instead of the four-eyes headlights, though unique LED light bars within the headlamps still gives the nigh-time effect of four individual units. Prior to its world debut, a teaser video previewing the car's multibeam LED headlamps was released in January 2015.

Estate All-Terrain

Along with the new E-Class saloon, Mercedes-Benz is preparing a successor to the E-Class Estate, although it isn’t scheduled to be unveiled until the second half of the year.

In a departure from previous incarnations of the executive load hauler, it will be offered in two distinct variants: a traditional on-road model and a so-called All-Terrain version, which will feature raised ride height and a standard 4Matic four-wheel drive system and will provide Mercedes with a rival to the likes of the Audi A6 Allroad .

E300 (2016-)

An E300, with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine, will join the range at launch. This engines is previously available in the facelift W212 E class in some market. This engine has 3 tune of power. 184PS, in the form of E200. 211PS, in the form of E250 and 245PS, in the form of E300. Like the W212 facelift, the W213 E300 produces 245PS and 370Nm and it accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds.

E400 (2016-)

An E400 with a 3.5-litre turbo M276 V6 petrol engine. It is carried over from the W212 facelift E class and it produces 333PS and 480Nm. It accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, a full second faster than the E300. Though a carry over engine, the exhaust note has been significantly improved and the sound of the exhaust in sports mode have been impressive. This engine will be replaced by the much awaited superior M256 in line 6 petrol engine which will first see its debut in the facelifted S Class(W222) in mid 2017.

E350e Plug-in Hybrid (2016-)

An E350e plug-in hybrid, with a 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and an electric motor, will join the range within a year of launch. It’s said to have an electric-only range of 20 miles.

E43 AMG (2016-)

The all-wheel-drive only E43 AMG will join the range in September 2016, powered by a 401 PS (295 kW; 396 bhp) twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6, producing 521 N·m (384 lb·ft) of torque, mated to a nine-speed automatic transmission. It will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds and run on to an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph). The E43 AMG is the first of the new 43 AMG series with a higher output of 401 PS vs 367 PS of the existing 43AMG series.

E63 AMG (2016–)

Presented in November 2016, the new E63 gets a reworked version of AMG’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 in two states of tune and with all-wheel-drive only. The standard E63 4Matic has 571 PS (420 kW; 563 bhp) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.5 seconds. The E63 S 4Matic has 612 PS (450 kW; 604 bhp) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds. Both versions are electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The W213 E63 AMG have been said to have extra emphasis on the performance element.