With over 14 million sedans and station wagons delivered since 1946 to date, the E-Class is the best-selling series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Precisely for this reason, by many, it is considered the 'heart of the brand'.
In 2016 the tenth generation of the E-Class set new aesthetic benchmarks and today, having reached its 'half-life', the Mercedes sedan is proposed in a new style, a profound restyling, which is not just about a 'retouch' aesthetic but embraces a much broader change, with new engines, enhanced driver assistance systems, more accessories and an improved habitability that raises the bar in terms of well-being on board. The new generation of the E-Class debuts on the market in five exclusive versions (sport, business sport, exclusive, premium and premium plus, tailored to the needs of Italian customers, with prices starting from 54,300 euros for the Sport version, entry level but already 'full' in terms of options, which also features the MBUX multimedia system with full digital instrumentation with 2 10.25 "screens, LED headlights, sign assist, rear view camera and wireless charge among the standard equipment. Sport, on the other hand, represents tailor made for professionals while the Exclusive version shows the star on the bonnet: a real symbol for those who are more sensitive to the charm of the heritage of the Stuttgart company. The sportiness of the lines is expressed through the version. Premium, the one with the greatest volume, dedicated to those who can choose. Compared to the Business Sport, it brings on board the aesthetic dynamism of the AMG Line: finally, the Premium Plus enhances the techno side. logic of the Premium version by adding more details. Aesthetically, the new E-Class appears decidedly more dynamic with a new headlight design (full LED headlights as standard, Multibeam LED headlights on request) and rear lights, as well as the radiator grille and the renewed front bumper. As for the All-Terrain version, on the other hand, the appearance is certainly one of those that wink at SUVs. The new generation steering wheel is also equipped with capacitive hands-off recognition, also on board the active assistance system for the distronic distance adjustment with speed adjustment according to the route and the active brake assistance system; the driving assistance system package now also with the cornering assist function includes the active Blind Spot Assist (also with exit warning), the parking package with 360 ° camera. As for the interior, the passenger compartment is definitely oriented towards comfort and wellbeing on board, a must for the cars of the Star and especially for the 'symbol' car of the range. Two digital screens are provided on board as standard; here too we find the MBUX system with Voicetronic voice control (standard) and Augmented Reality while for relaxation there is the comfort management system of the Energizing programs with Energizing Coach and "PowerNap" (for plug-in hybrid vehicles). But the real novelty certainly concerns the engine department with seven plug-in hybrid models in sedan and station-wagon versions, petrol and diesel, with rear and all-wheel drive (also in the US market). The range of engines offers a spectrum of power between 115 and 270 kW, while for diesel engines the choice ranges from 118 to 243 kW. The range will be completed by a four-cylinder petrol engine (M 254) equipped with a second generation integrated starter-alternator (ISG) with additional power of up to 15 kW and 180 Nm of torque more. Models with this powertrain will have a 48 V on-board network. For the first time, Mercedes-Benz has combined all the innovations of the modular range of 4-e petrol and diesel engines into a single powertrain, the M 254. 6 cylinders. These include Nanoslide cylinder coating, Conicshape technology ('bell smoothing' of cylinders) and exhaust aftertreatment directly on the engine.
The six-cylinder in-line petrol engine (M256), offered for the first time in the E-Class, also features the ISG system. The range of engines is completed by the six-cylinder diesel (OM 656). Among the absolute novelties, however, a real gem: it is called Urban Guard, an intelligent combination of hardware and digital solutions for protection from crime. There are two special equipment packages, Vehicle Protection and Urban Guard Plus Vehicle Protection. Some Urban Guard products will also be available in the Mercedes me online store and can be activated afterwards. The two Urban Guard Vehicle Protection and Urban Vehicle Protection packages Guard Plus allow, in combination with Mercedes me, a complete surveillance of the parked vehicle. In addition, Urban Guard Plus Vehicle Protection is able to locate stolen vehicles in collaboration with the police.
