It is considered the heart of the brand and has been setting standards for upper mid-size sedans for over 75 years: the Mercedes E-Class. Now Mercedes-Benz is opening a new – and possibly even last – chapter of the business sedan rich in tradition. Chapter took part in the vehicle presentation and test drive in Vienna.
This much in advance: With the eleventh generation of the series, Mercedes has once again succeeded in raising its classic business sedan to a new level. With its usual harmonious proportions and the brand design philosophy of »sensual clarity«, which is based on simple elegance and is intended to define the design principles of all models of the Mercedes-Benz Group, the new E-Class inspires at first glance. Designed in the classic three-box sedan style, a short front overhang and the long engine hood are followed by the passenger cabin, which is set far back. This »cab-backward« design is rounded off by the balanced rear overhang. A visually pleasing, well-proportioned car whose harmonious design is particularly effective in the side view. In addition, however, the two separate character lines on the side give the vehicle a clear sporty, dynamic note.
The design of the new E-Class also unites the tradition of a classic with the innovation of (more) avant-garde models from the electrified Mercedes EQ series: black panel-like surfaces connect the radiator grille with the headlights, for example, a visual reference to the EQ series. The three-dimensionally designed radiator grille has a progressive or classic design depending on the equipment line, LED high-performance headlights are standard, while »Digital Light« will be available as an optional extra with or without a projection function. In any case, all headlight variants impress with an expressive daytime as well as nighttime light design. As a special accent at the rear, the two-part LED lights not only feature a new contour but also a thoroughly eye-catching star design – you may like it, but you don’t have to.
In terms of interior design, the immense MBUX Superscreen naturally dominates the look and forms the center of the interactive digital experience. If the E-Class is equipped with the optional passenger screen, the large glass surface of the MBUX Superscreen extends to the central display. Visually detached from that, you can find the additional driver display in the driver field of vision. The models without passenger display have a large trim panel that extends to the center. Visually detached, the central display appears to float above the concave surface of this trim part.
The front section of the instrument panel is illuminated by the so-called ambient lighting, which is already known from other models. In a large arc, it leads from the windshield past the A-pillars into the doors, creating a spacious feeling on the one hand and offering drivers and passengers the increasingly important option of customizing the vehicle on the other. Depending on the mood and situation, from relaxing, muted tones to the funky flashing »disco mode« called »sound visualization«.
What the visuals promise is then also delivered by the truly impressive range of entertainment, comfort and driving assistance features: digital innovations everywhere you look, from the digital vehicle key to the installation of third-party apps (enabling, among other things, video streaming on the passenger display, participation in video conferences and much more). Diverse and in some cases very unusual programs for the well-being of the occupants (»anti-sickness program«) or AI learning, which learns the occupants’ routines and then automates them, as well as numerous new or further developed driver assistance systems make the new E-Class even more comfortable and intelligent in an impressive way, and it really does reach a new level of digitalization, personalization and interaction.
And since editors of a design magazine also like to glide comfortably over – in this case eastern Austrian – country roads and enjoy the agile handling, we would also like to make brief reference to the following: We experienced the new E-Class as a floating comfort suite with not only excellent, precise handling, stable straight-line stability, but above all sensitively responsive suspension, even on bumpy terrain. Suspension subframe (front) and axle carrier (rear) noticeably and efficiently decouple chassis and body from vibrations and noise. There are six engine variants, half of which are plug-in hybrids with a range of around 100 kilometers.
When you’ve reached your peak, you should stop, they say. And reportedly, the eleventh generation E-Class now on display will also be the last of its kind on an internal combustion engine platform – the all-electric EQE will take over in the future. »Say goodbye quietly«, legendary Viennese entertainer Peter Alexander sang in one of his best-known hits. Possibly not at all unfitting then, that of all places, it was the Austrian capital where this iconic sedan was able to shine in impressive fashion once again. [CS]
