Mercedes-Benz unveils new E-Class sedan

Mercedes-Benz has officially unveiled the new E-Class sedan. The car has been showcased at the ongoing Detroit Motor Show.

The E-Class uses the same design language as the C-Class and S-Class. The car's wheelbase is longer than the outgoing model by 66 mm and its overall length is greater by 43 mm. It has a long bonnet, a coupe-like roofline and short overhangs. The E-Class comes with a classic radiator grille with three slats and chrome around it or a sport grille with twin slats and a large Mercedes star as its centrepiece. It has sweptback headlamps and a pair of single piece tail lamps with a two-bar design.

Like the exterior, the interior styling of the E-Class has been influenced by the S-Class's cabin. It is available in many colour combinations. The vehicle is equipped with a three-spoke steering wheel with touch-sensitive control buttons, a 12.3-inch navigation display, a touchpad for the infotainment system with handwriting recognition, voice control, a traditional instrument cluster, round air-conditioner vents, ambient lighting with 64 colours and a Burmester 3D audio system with 23 speakers.

A 'warmth and comfort package', which includes a heated center console, heated door armrests, a heated steering wheel and rapidly-heating front seats is available. The rear bench seat in the new E-Class sedan comes with a three-piece backrest that is split 40 : 20 : 40. Integral features of the centre armrest include a storage box and two pop-out drink holders. There is also the option of a holder for a tablet device for the rear passengers.

For the US market, the E-Class will be launched with a turbocharged, 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine that puts out 238 BHP and 370 Nm of torque. More engines will be added to the range after the launch. All engines will be mated to a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission.

In Europe, the car will be launched with 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol (E 200) and diesel (E 200 d) engines. While the E 200 produces 181 BHP and 300 Nm of torque, the E 220 d develops 192 BHP and 400 Nm of torque.

A plug-in hybrid variant (E 350 e) with an output of 282 BHP and 550 Nm of torque, a 6-cylinder diesel (E 350 d) with 255 BHP and 620 Nm of torque, a 6-cylinder petrol (E 400) with 330 BHP and 480 Nm of torque and a 4-cylinder diesel with 148 BHP on tap are expected to be added to the line-up.

The E-Class will be available with a steel-spring suspension as standard. The car can also be equipped with an 'Air Body Control' multi-chamber air suspension.

The E-Class is equipped with driver assistance systems such as Pre-Safe, Active Brake Assist, Attention Assist, Crosswind Assist, Drive Pilot, Evasive Steering Assist and Remote Parking Pilot among others. The car will also be equipped with a Car-to-X communication solution.