A new Mercedes E-Class is on the way into showrooms, with a hi-tech interior and efficient hybrid powertrains
- Mild and plug-in hybrid for improved efficiency
- MBUX ‘Superscreen’ infotainment
- Due to arrive by Summer 2023
The all-new sixth-generation of Mercedes E-Class is on its way, and the respected brand has unveiled some significant changes to its large executive saloon. The E-Class is expected to go on sale this summer, with prices starting from around £50,000.
One shakeup is that the E-Class will now only be offered in saloon and estate guise, with no two-door coupe and cabriolet E-Class models planned. However, the upcoming Mercedes CLE will instead fill the gap left by these models in the range.
Every version of the latest E-Class will benefit from some form of electrification, with mild and plug-in hybrid powertrains available that take the strain off the combustion engine, or let it switch off altogether.
Mercedes’ large executive saloon received a mid-life update in 2020 to keep it feeling fresh against the BMW 5 Series; however, following the debut of the latest Mercedes S-Class as well as the smaller C-Class – not to mention the raft of fully-electric EQ-badged Mercedes models – the current E-Class is already starting to appear slightly dated compared to the rest of the Mercedes lineup, so the all-new car is a welcome update.
2023 Mercedes E-Class design
Despite its bigger size, the new E-Class has a sleeker, more aerodynamic shape to help reduce drag. This is combined with aerodynamically-optimised wheelers and flush door handles, along with an active aero system within the radiator grille.
The latest Mercedes E-Class gets a fairly conservative redesign overall. There are styling cues that echo those of the outgoing E-Class and electric EQ cars, such as its grille which flows seamlessly into the headlights. This grille can be specced with an illuminated surround and the LED headlights are available with an optional ‘Digital Light’ projector function.
The E-Class will arrive in the UK in just AMG Line trim, so buyers here won’t get Europe’s subtly styled Avantgarde and Exclusive versions. AMG Line brings sportier styling, a large three-pointed star Mercedes logo integrated into the grille and more aggressive front and rear bumpers, plus a rear diffuser.
The rear styling includes a horizontal bar housing the rear lights and spanning the whole width of the car, although the centre of the light bar does not light up. Two sets of triangular lights mimicking the Mercedes badge sit within the light clusters.
Mercedes E-Class interior
The Mercedes E-Class’ interior centres around a new optional ‘Superscreen’ infotainment system; an evolution of the Hyperscreen that debuted in the all-electric Mercedes EQS, this setup incorporates three separate displays: a digital instrument cluster, a large centre touchscreen and a separate screen for the front passenger.
Mercedes claims its new cabin is designed to be “more software-driven and less hardware-driven” and provide greater scope for user personalisation. At launch, buyers will be able to download a multitude of apps such as the social media platform TikTok, the video game ‘Angry Birds’ and the web-conferencing application ‘Zoom’, which will utilise a camera that’s mounted on the dashboard.
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This theme of personalisation continues with ambient lighting, as the new E-Class will take this to the next level with even more elements of illumination. While, as before, owners can select from one of 64 different colours, the ‘Active Ambient Lighting’ has been designed to sync up with and react to whatever media you have playing, pairing with the Burmester sound system to create what Mercedes describes as a “visual” sound experience.
Other interior enhancements include an advancement of the German brand’s voice control system; dubbed ‘Just Talk’, this will no longer require the “Hey Mercedes” command and will be able to carry out more complex tasks, such as changing multiple settings at once. An ‘Energising Comfort’ feature is designed to alleviate travel sickness by adjusting interior features such as the climate control and seat position.
The interior can be specced with a variety of materials and colours, including trim with an open-pore wood effect, piano black or silver-coloured ‘metal-mix’ finish. The cabin is reported to be more spacious than the outgoing version, but with the same 540-litre boot space as before, dropping to 370 for the plug-in hybrid.
Engines and spec
With encroaching emissions regulations and the Mercedes brand set to go all-electric by 2030, the next-generation E-Class will likely be the last to utilise combustion engines. The entire E-Class range now utilises varying forms of hybrid assistance, starting with the mild-hybrid E 200.
The E 200 uses a four-cylinder, 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with a 17kW electric motor (up from 15kW on the outgoing mild-hybrid) to produce 204bhp. This model will do 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.
It may come as a surprise to some, but Mercedes has not given up on diesel power, and the E 220 d is the next model in the E-Class lineup. Its 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel unit is paired with the same 17kW motor to develop 197bhp, taking 7.6 seconds to get from 0 to 62mph, and will go on to a top speed of 148mph. This model is also available with four-wheel drive, known as the E 220 d 4MATIC. Mercedes says its system has been revised and now offers better torque distribution.
Plug-in hybrid models all use a 25.4kWh battery. On the E 300 e, that’s mated to a 204bhp four-cylinder petrol engine for a total output of 312bhp, also available with the 4MATIC system. 0-62mph times are 6.5 seconds for the two-wheel drive version, and the four-wheel drive variant does this 0.1 seconds quicker. The standard E 300 e will offer an electric range of up to 73 miles on a charge, with its four-wheel drive sibling getting up to 69 miles, according to Mercedes.
From launch, the latest E-Class range-topper is the E 400 e 4MATIC. This uses the same plug-in hybrid system, although the four-cylinder petrol engine is tuned to produce 251bhp for a total system output of 381bhp. This model will do 0-62mph in 5.3 seconds and carry on up to a top speed of 155mph.
Although it’s longer than before, the latest E-Class uses four-wheel steering technology to give it a tight turning circle. An optional ‘Technology package’ brings rear-axle steering to bring the turning circle down from 12 metres to 11.1 metres, or 10.8 metres on rear-wheel drive versions. This pack also includes Mercedes’ AIRMATIC suspension with adjustable damping and air springs.
Keyword: New 2023 Mercedes E-Class arrives