Mercedes is pushing forward with its plan to turn into all-electric by the tip of the last decade, however within the interim, combustion-engined automobiles will stay on the core of its vary. As such, the agency has revealed an all-new E-class with petrol and diesel energy that includes throughout the board, designed to take a seat alongside the electrical EQE saloon with which it borrows its styling ethos and in-car tech. 

Using on the newest model of the agency’s MRA platform, the E-class doesn’t emulate the ‘single-bow’ silhouette of its EV stablemates, however its blacked out entrance grille and headlight association is acquainted, as are drag-reducing components akin to optionally available flush-fitting door handles and easy, decluttered physique panels. This contributes to a drag coefficient of simply 0.23, supporting the E-class’s effectivity temporary. 

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With the optionally available Know-how package deal, the E-class will get a full suite of chassis electronics, together with air suspension with repeatedly adjustable adaptive dampers. Rear axle steering can be accessible, turning the rear wheels by as much as 4.5 levels to enhance low velocity agility and cruising stability. With the E-class wheelbase having grown by 20mm this time round, the rear-wheel steering might assist emulate the texture of a extra lithe, compact saloon, decreasing the automobile’s turning circle by as much as 90cm. 

Electrification has made its approach into your entire vary for this era of E-class, with a alternative of delicate and plug-in hybrid petrol and diesel choices (the previous receiving a metal spring suspension setup that sits 15mm decrease than the PHEV variants). The powertrains are constructed round 2-litre four-cylinder items from Mercedes’ FAME engine household, kicking off with the E200 mild-hybrid petrol. Supported by a 23bhp built-in starter-generator unit, the E200 gives 201bhp, and sits alongside the 194bhp E220 d which options the identical electrical system. 

A duo of plug-in hybrids sit above these; the E300 e and E400 e. Every makes use of a 2-litre petrol engine mixed with a 127bhp electrical motor, however whereas the E300 e generates 308bhp and 406lb ft of torque, the E400 e squeezes extra from the combustion engine with peak outputs of 375bhp and 479lb ft. A 4Matic four-wheel drive system is optionally available with the E220 d and plug-in hybrids, and so geared up, the E400 e sprints from 0-62mph in 5.3sec. 

Inside, Mercedes is persisting with the closely digitised cabin structure that debuted with the flagship EQS, dubbed ‘Superscreen’. Whereas a big central show is commonplace, patrons can go for an extra passenger show to permit for management of the likes of the navigation and leisure methods. There’s additionally a brand new iteration of the agency’s ‘Hey Mercedes’ voice assistant, with Stage 4 Automated Valet Parking permitting the mannequin to park itself and not using a driver inside do you have to go for the Clever Parking Pilot choice.

Order books for the all-new 2023 Mercedes-Benz E-class are set to open in September. UK pricing is but to be confirmed.