The Detroit Auto Show was the place to be to see Mercedes to launch the new E-Class Benz to the world and celebrate the 20th anniversary of the executive saloon. The entire E-Class range will receive facelifts to celebrate the big occasion and the Mercedes E-Class estate is no exception.
The front end of the E-Class has been transported into the next generation of aesthetic design with some nice new front end lines and a shape which is more pleasing to the eye. The current trend of designing cars with sleeker, more futuristic shapes is not lost on Mercedes. The front end grill had been made smaller and now incorporates the Mercedes propeller badge instead of the standing emblem, most likely done to appear more in step with Mercedes in-house tuning company AMG.
The E-Class has always been known as a car of comfort and the new model is no exception. The cabin has always been a relaxing place to be, with lush leather seats, plenty of leg room and enough gadgets that would rival Apollo 13. Since comfort and convenience is one of the main selling points of the E-Class, the new model interior is almost unchanged to previous models. Only the onboard computer and navigation systems have been updated to be faster and sleeker; matching functionality with appearance.
The comfort, convenience and practicality factor is carried further with the estate version as Mercedes insists this type of car has all of the familiar features of the equivalent Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), as well as the added convenience of not being as fuel hungry. Regular Mercedes customers prefer not to be seen as ostentatious and the estate car certainly gives them the option to have a large spacious car with all the creature comforts they desire without being seen as outlandish or “in your face”.
Going green
Adding to the style improvement, new greener policies of the brand have seen the E-class improve its efficiency. Engine modifications have seen the range of petrol engines get fitted with a new injection system that encourages greater fuel efficiency.
The diesel engines have been given a few extra features as well and there is even an electric motor fitted to the four-cylinder system to giving the E-Class its first hybrid. Naturally, performance is still top of the list of priorities and this means you get the same power on the road but with a cleaner conscience thanks to cleaner emissions.