You can also conduct Zoom meetings from the Superscreen.
Mercedes-Benz has revealed the details of an all-new Superscreen that will feature in the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, including selfie cameras, TikTok and Zoom integration, and passenger-side video viewing that is invisible to the driver.
The 2024 E-Class will arrive in US dealerships later in 2023, and Mercedes has begun the teaser campaign by revealing a next-generation digitalized interior.
Wepreviously covered leaked images of what we now know was a base model with the standard dashboard layout. Models without the new Superscreen will have a digital instrument cluster and central display floating above the concave trim elements.
But the Superscreen takes center stage as it unlocks several cool features if you add the Entertainment Package ( MBUX Entertainment Plus). It adds hardware, Mercedes' connected services, new software, and a data package from a third-party provider. The communications module is 5G enabled, giving the new E-Class the fastest data speeds currently available.
First, the Superscreen, which is an evolution of the Hyperscreen seen in the Mercedes EQS, boasts an upright digital instrument cluster. Instead of floating above the trim, the various elements sit flush on the digital dashboard. As mentioned, we've seen this before, but the E-Class will take it further with a new compatibility layer allowing the owner to install third-party apps.
The driver can use the car's selfie and video camera to attend Zoom and Webex meetings. When the vehicle is stationary, it will include video, but once it is on the move, it will only play audio.
Two further screens are included, with a primary one in the center of the dash and a secondary one ahead of the passenger. The second screen becomes a digital decorative feature if the front passenger seat is unoccupied, but once a passenger climbs aboard, the touchscreen interface can be used via MBUX. When it launches, the E-Class can be equipped with TikTok, Angry Birds, the Vivaldi web browser, and the entertainment portal ZYNC. These are also available on the main screen, if the car is stationary.
You can also see the Mercedes me store on the display, so it won't be long before passengers can access other apps like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney +.
Unlike the center screen and the digital instrument cluster, the passenger screen will not shut down once the car is on the move. The vehicle uses intelligent image filtering to keep the driver from being distracted. There are two layers of protection: the passenger display's dual light control and a camera system that monitors the driver's eye movement. If the driver gets busted for glancing over, the passenger screen's brightness will be reduced.
Both screens benefit from a more straightforward, color-coded layout borrowed from the smartphone industry. There are also two display styles (Classic and Sporty) and three modes: Navigation, Assistance, and Service.
The dials' layout and ambient lighting color also change to fit the mood. In Sporty Mode, for example, the digital instrument cluster displays a tachometer, and the primary interior color changes to red. Expect this to be the default for the upcoming AMG models.
While on the topic of ambient lighting, Mercedes also upgraded this basic system with more functions. The first cool feature is the sound visualization, available on models with the optional Active Ambient Lighting. The active light strip at the top of the instrument panel and front door panels will produce a visual interpretation of the source material, whether it be music, movies, apps, and more. You'll get frantic light changes if you listen to terrible electronic music while the colors will merge smoothly with soft, flowing rhythms, like Skylar Grey.
The light strip can also be a visual indicator for advanced driver assistance systems. Some functions, like a phone call or simply reversing, will temporarily overlay the ambient lighting system. After all, who wants to back up into a parking spot inside a disco ball?
The feature we're more interested in is the onboard artificial intelligence that Mercedes says will ease the burden of everyday activities. Customers can set templates, which are presets for various occasions.
Merc mentions cold days and date nights as an example. If the temperature drops to 50 degrees, the climate control will automatically switch on, and the interior will be bathed in a warm orange. On date night, the car will activate a mood-setting playlist, while the interior will be bathed in sexy red. This is the first car we know of that will help you get some nookie, apart from every Lamborghini ever.
Owners can also create their own routines and give them names. These can be oddly specific like My Wife Kicked Me Out Of The House Because I Used Date Night While She Wasn't In The Car. It'll play sad breakup tunes and turn the ambient lighting to dark and broody. You also might want to heat up the rear seats, as they'll likely be more comfortable than the couch.
Most impressive of all are the AI-generated routines. If you follow the same route daily, the car will eventually do things on your behalf. The system will eventually be smart enough to wind the window down as you approach your job's security gates. Mercedes also developed Magic Modules, which are basically reminders. The car can suggest a to-do list and remind you that an important date or birthday is coming up.
A less advanced version of the above software is now available for older Mercedes-Benz models via an over-the-air update.
The famous “Hey, Mercedes” function has been improved, and you can now complete more than one task. Instead of activating the seat heating and then telling it to set the navigation for home, you can now do both simultaneously with a “Hey, Mercedes, navigate me home and activate the seat heating.”
Despite all this new technology, Mercedes-Benz still incorporated some old-school luxury. The available leather upholstery includes “elaborate longitudinal fluting.” Nappa seats feature quilted and perforated diamond patterns. Customers can also choose from a wide variety of interior color combinations. The palette includes traditional colors like light beige to the more extroverted Tonka Brown. If you don't want the Superscreen, Mercedes will fill the gaps with traditional trim elements like Dark Ash open-pore wood.
While we appreciate the new technology, we're slightly put off by the lack of physical buttons, which can be distracting. There are some, but not nearly enough. The current E-Class hits the sweet spot with separate HVAC controls. Speaking of the current model, the 2024 model is not a giant step forward in the design department.
Having said that, we'll reserve comment until we've driven it.
Keyword: 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Getting Full-Width Superscreen With Selfie Cameras And TikTok Integration