Five Features Mercedes-Benz Should Have Offered On The New E-Class

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has unveiled a new chapter for Mercedes-Benz and quite likely the segment as well. The new E has been launched with a starting price of Rs 56.15 lakh ex-showroom Mumbai. It is the first right hand drive long wheelbase E-Class in the world. The only other market to get the E-Class in long wheelbase is China. We got the chance to drive the car recently and walked away quite impressed (read full review here). Even then, there are a few features that the Chinese version gets that the Indian version ideally should. Here’s a wish list of features that we think the new E-Class should have got. 

The twin 12.3-inch high-resolution digital display 

The Chinese version of the E-Class comes with twin 12.3inch full colour high-resolution screens, one for the COMAND system and the other as the information display akin to it’s bigger and more expensive sibling, the S-Class. The Indian E-Class however, does come with a 12.3inch screen for the COMAND centre but the instrument cluster makes do with traditional analogue clocks paired with a digital screen for all vehicle info. Our best guess is that Mercedes has refrained from fitting the E with the said screens to keep a clear distinction between the two cars but yet it would seriously work in the car’s favour if the option were offered. 

MULTIBEAM LED headlamps

The E-Class long wheelbase in China gets Merc’s MULTIBEAM LED headlamps as an optional extra. These headlamps feature 84 individually activated high-intensity LEDs which automatically illuminate the road surface and adjust automatically as not to dazzle other road users especially cars in the oncoming traffic. Now, this would be a great addition for our driving conditions given the amount of unlit roads in our country and at the same time cut down on the agony of motorists who are constantly bombarded with headlamps on high-beams, especially on the highways. 

Rear integrated touchscreen controls for the COMAND system 

Another feature worth having in the E-Class would be the ability to control the infotainment system from the rear seat which is actually essential for high-end chauffeur driven cars, a feature the Chinese E-Class LWB gets. It comes with a touchscreen control pad that is permanently integrated into the rear armrest that allows the rear passengers to control the COMAND system from the comfort of their seats. Though it’s an optional extra, it is a feature that would be much appreciated here. Also, the little cut out section of the rear armrest is where the touchscreen controls are housed in the Chinese E-Class

Cup Holders and ventilated seats please 

Another feature the Chinese E-Class boasts of is the temperature controlled cup holders which help maintain the temperature of the occupants’ beverages, hot or cold. The Indian car on the other hand is devoid of cup holders at the rear. Most well to do chauffeur driven individuals tend to enjoy a cuppa joe while on the move and the E-Class yet can’t facilitate that. Also given the generally hot weather in our country with only sporadic periods of cool weather, especially in the metropolitan cities, ventilated seats further add to the already soaring levels of comfort

In today’s day and age, it’s become quite simple to charge your phone wirelessly so long it is QI enabled. Manufacturers like Audi are already offering the feature in the new Audi A3 and the E-Class in China does get it as an optional extra. Also, the leather used on the seats isn’t pure leather, a pure leather upholstery would greatly increase the luxury quotient of an already luxurious car. Plus, it will put rest to all finger pointing that some might indulge in. 

With the current price tag and the exhaustive features list, the E-Class can seriously hurt the competition but if Mercedes-Benz had decided to arm the new E with the features we’ve mentioned above, the E-Class would have been outright formidable.