2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Launching On Feb 28

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was first showcased at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2016. The executive sedan, along with its long-wheelbase variant, is coming to our shores on February 28. Until now, Mercedes-Benz has offered the long-wheelbase version of the E-Class only in China. The wide price gap between the E-Class and the S-Class gives the E-Class L enough breathing room without threatening either of the other cars. Besides, being one of its kind in the category never hurts.

The E-Class L is 5065mm long and has a 140mm longer wheelbase compared to the 2939mm long wheelbase of the regular E-Class. Despite its length of more than five metres; it’s still shorter than the S-Class by 44mm, while also lacking a few luxury touches.

The new E-Class is loaded with technology, and Mercedes-Benz calls it the most ‘intelligent’ sedan in the world. It’s too early to comment on the car’s IQ, but it certainly is the most intelligent car in the Mercedes-Benz stable. It also comes with the company’s Drive Pilot system, which is capable of following a car in front of you at speeds of well over 200kmph while managing the acceleration and braking for you. A host of sensors and cameras also help it maintain its lane. According to the manufacturer, it can keep itself in the lane at speeds of up to 210kmph if the lane markers are clearly visible and up to 130kmph on poorly marked roads.

Similar features are also available on the international variants of the Volvo S90, but the Swedes decided not to offer them in India. Let’s see if the Germans are interested in being the segment-first to give us adaptive cruise control with lane keep assist.

On the features side, the car gets two 12.3-inch displays, one of which serves as the gauge cluster while the other handles the infotainment duties. While we have moved from button to touch on our phones and even our cars’ infotainment systems, for some reason, the steering-mounted controls have chugged along, offering the classic tactile feedback of a button. The new E-Class’ steering wheel adds touch to the mix so that we can continue swiping and tapping while having both hands on the wheel. The massaging function is also offered in the international variants, along with active side bolstering that hugs you further if it detects strong lateral Gs. 

At the auto show in Detroit, the German carmaker had also revealed the brand-new sub-2.0-litre diesel engine. Its 1950cc of displacement produces 195PS of power and 400Nm of torque and comes paired with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Accelerating from nought to 100kmph takes 7.3 seconds, which is plenty fast for the car. It also returns an excellent fuel efficiency figure of just over 25kmpl as per the Euro test cycle.

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

While its power and torque figures are a bit low compared to the 204PS and 500Nm churned by the current 2143cc diesel engine powering the E250 d, the acceleration is faster by two-tenths of a second.

The smaller oil burner is available with the E220 d, which isn’t currently sold in India. Rumours suggest that the E250 d won’t be launching anytime soon as the carmaker has to make modifications to the production facility to accommodate the new 2.0-litre engine. The smaller powertrain will be a great fit for the Indian portfolio, where bigger diesel engines have to pay additional taxes. The 2.0-litre petrol engine along with the 3.0-litre V6 powering the E350 d are sure to make their way to the showrooms, though.