Our colleagues from the German magazine auto motor und sport have driven the new Mercedes E-Class for the first time, and here are their first impressions.
Photo: Mercedes
The new Mercedes E-Class W214 is the last E-Class built on a conventional platform, and colleagues at auto motor und sport try to answer the question of whether this is the best E-Class ever.
Most of the innovations in the new E-Class contribute to improved safety, comfort, and well-being on board. An example is the Energizing Comfort package which now has a new feature – anti-motion sickness control for the front passenger, and, in the case of the PHEV versions, the Power Nap function which allows the driver to take a nap while charging the 25.4 kWh battery. The battery can be charged from DC stations up to 55 kW.
The new E-Class comes with a Superscreen display that groups the instrument cluster digital display and the multimedia display under the same glass cover, and an optional display for the front passenger. The stereo camera is smarter and recognizes the driver’s gestures and also controls the interior lights. As with the EQS, the camera recognizes if the driver is looking at the passenger screen when the passenger is watching a film and darkens the image, but only for the driver. If no one is sitting on the front right, the display on the right shows only a starry sky. Ambient light also warns with warning lights, and the digital key can be customized for up to 16 profiles.
For example, you can customize the outside temperature from which seat heating has to start.
First impressions E 300 e, E 220 d, and E 220
The rear axle-mounted battery contributes 220 kg to the 2.2-tonne curb weight, but the 95 kW electric motor is enough for fast acceleration. When the battery is fully charged, the E 300 e can be driven purely electric even at highway speeds over a distance of 90 km. When braking, up to 100 kW of energy is recovered, and the transition between regenerative and hydraulic braking is smoother than in the past.
The 2-liter diesel in the E 220 d promises a range of 1200 km thanks to fuel consumption of 4.9 l/100 km. Like the petrol engine in the E200, the OM654 diesel runs more smoothly and is assisted by a 17 kW/205 Nm starter-generator that starts and stops the diesel engine very smoothly whenever needed.
Built on the MRA II platform, the E-Class’ suspension is similar to that of the C and S-Class: four-link front axle and multilink rear axle. Optional adaptive air suspension is available, which is a little firmer and comes with integral steering. In the case of the E-Class, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels up to 60 km/h, and over 60 km/h in the same direction at an angle of 2.5 degrees. Only small turns of the steering wheel are required for large changes in direction.
The basic E200 engine is powerful enough, while the more powerful E 300 de and E 450 engines are already at superlative.
The suspension is tuned for comfort, and it cushions bumps cleanly even in Sport mode. But the softer suspension tuning also generates some body movement. That’s why it’s worth considering the option of pneumatic suspension and integral steering, which raises the base price from 60,000 to 65,000.
Verdict
The new Mercedes E-Class has improved its safety, assistance, and comfort qualities. And with air suspension and integral steering, it promises better dynamics. We wonder if this will be the last generation with conventional engines.
