Chef-d’oeuvre of cleverness
“Is it the world’s first autonomous vehicle? Pretty close!” said Issam.
“The 2017 version of Mercedes’ mid-range sedan is larger than the outgoing model”
“This new 10th generation E-Class aims to deliver sophisticated high-techs with its distinctive, passionate design and premium-made interior.”
“All models are equipped with a new 9-speed automatic transmission.”
Mercedes-Benz is taking a big step into the future with the new E Class. The tenth-generation executive saloon delivers stylish highlights with its distinct, emotive design and high-grade, exclusive interior. This new E-Class also marks the world premiere of numerous technical innovations. They enable comfortable, safe driving on a new level plus a new dimension in driver assistance.
Exterior
The design of the new E-Class is characterized by hallmark Mercedes saloon proportions. The elongated bonnet coupled with a coupe-esque roof flowing into a sensual, broad-shouldered tail end creates an exciting silhouette. The powerfully extended vehicle body of the new E-Class is characterized by short overhangs, a long wheelbase, large wheels and taut, well-defined flanks displaying a fresh, stylish and dynamic interpretation of the feature line.
At the rear end, broad shoulders above the rear wheel arches lend the E-Class its unmistakably powerful character. Single-piece taillights featuring a two-bar design framed by the vehicle body clearly identify the E-Class as a new member of the Mercedes saloon family.
Interior
The interior of the new E-Class embodies the synthesis of emotion and intelligence. Optional extras include two brilliant next generation high resolution displays, each with a wide screen diagonal of 12.3 inches – unique in this segment. In a first for a car, the steering wheel features touch-sensitive Touch Controls. Like a smartphone interface, they respond precisely to horizontal and vertical swiping movements, allowing the driver to control the entire infotainment system using finger swipes without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. In keeping with the motto “hands on the wheel, eyes on the road”, this allows minimum driver distraction to be achieved.
High-tech features
The suspension on the new E-Class offers agile driving pleasure on twisting roads as well as the highest level of ride comfort. Three suspensions with selective damping are available in conjunction with this system:
•AGILITY CONTROL suspension with comfort tuning
•AGILITY CONTROL suspension, lowered by 15 millimeters
•DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL: a sporty suspension with adaptive damping adjustment, lowered by 15 millimeters, which replaces the classic sports suspension
AIR BODY CONTROL multi-chamber air suspension
Alternatively the new E-Class can be equipped with multi-chamber air suspension all round – the only car in its segment to offer this option. Advantages of this system: three chambers of different size in the spring struts of the rear axle and two in the spring struts of the front axle make it possible to control, in three stages, how stiffly the suspension reacts. In this way, the occupants enjoy soft basic suspension, and the secure feeling of good handling stability as the speed increases.
Driving Assistance package makes the E-Class the most intelligent saloon in its class and includes:
• DRIVE PILOT: this system represents Mercedes-Benz’s next step along the road to autonomous driving. As Distance Pilot DISTRONIC, it is not only able on all types of road to keep the car the correct distance behind vehicles in front automatically, it can also follow them at a speed of up to 210 km/h for the first time.
• Impressive DRIVE PILOT innovations include an Active Lane-change Assistant. This radar and camera-based assistance system assists the driver when changing lanes on motorway-like multi-lane roads and can steer the vehicle into the lane selected by the driver – when overtaking, for example.
Integrated into DRIVE PILOT, Active Emergency Stop Assist can brake the vehicle to a standstill in its lane if it detects that the driver is permanently no longer taking control while on the move. If there is no steering wheel movement over a longer period when the Steering Pilot is activated, the system gives the driver a visual and audible prompt to place his/her hands on the wheel.
•Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function: compared with the standard version, it offers extended speed thresholds with regard to vehicles and pedestrians. For the first time, it can also detect hazardous situations at the tail end of traffic jams where there is no room to maneuver and initiate autonomous braking far sooner in such situations. Consequently, it is possible to completely avoid accidents at speeds up to 100 km/h or substantially reduce the severity of accidents at speeds above this level.
•Evasive Steering Assist: this likewise new system ideally complements the pedestrian detection function of Active Brake Assist. If the driver deliberately or instinctively initiates an evasive maneuver in a hazardous situation, this function can add precisely calculated steering torque to support the movement of the steering wheel. This helps the driver to avoid the pedestrian in a controlled manner while subsequently facilitating the straightening-up of the vehicle to allow the situation to be negotiated safely.
•Remote Parking Pilot: for the first time, this system allows the vehicle to be moved into and out of garages and parking spaces remotely using a smartphone app, enabling the occupants to get into and out of the car easily, even if space is very tight.
•Car-to-X communication: the mobile phone-supported exchange of information with other vehicles further ahead on the road, for example, can effectively allow the driver to “see around corners” or “through obstacles” well in advance. This means that the driver receives an earlier warning than previously in the event of imminent danger, such as a broken down vehicle at the edge of the road or also in the event of heavy rain or black ice on the road ahead. In this case the new E-Class simultaneously acts as a receiver and a transmitter, since warning messages are conveyed automatically by evaluating vehicle statuses or manually by the driver into the Mercedes Cloud. The Car-to-X warning messages are shown directly on the navigation map. Some warnings are also communicated to the driver by voice output, which is particularly useful where the road layout is unclear.
•PRE-SAFE Impulse Side: this system is part of the Driving Assistance package PLUS. If a lateral collision has been detected and is imminent, it can move the driver or front passenger away from the danger zone in a sideways direction by way of precaution. To do this, the system inflates an air chamber in the side bolster of the front seat backrest nearest the side of the imminent impact in a fraction of a second, thus increasing the distance between occupant and door and, at the same time, reducing the forces acting on them.
•PRE-SAFE Sound: this system is based on a human reflex in the inner ear, called the stapedius reflex. PRE-SAFE Sound emits a short interference signal through the vehicle’s sound system if the risk of a collision is detected. This signal can trigger the natural reflex and thus prepare the occupants’ ears for the expected sound of the accident, in order to reduce the stress on the occupants.
•High-resolution MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, each with 84 individually controlled high-performance LEDs, automatically illuminate the road with a hitherto unsurpassed, precision-controlled distribution of exceptionally bright light – without dazzling other road users.
•Digital Vehicle Key: this drive authorization system uses Near Field Communication (HFC) technology and allows the driver’s smartphone to be used as a vehicle key.
Driving impressions
How does the new 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class drive? I consider it pretty decent. It actually rides very well. The all-new E-class is the closest thing on the market today to a self-driving car. It is packed with tons of technologies – you will probably need an instruction manual to learn them. As such, I spent much of my time behind the wheel driving; I spent the other half sitting next to a driver, which was pretty sweet too.
Verdict
The all-new 2017 E-Class is still fun to drive although you could spend most of the time letting it drive itself. In terms of steering response, agility, the E-Class is as good as the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. Quiet cabin and smooth ride, this could be the best midsize luxury sedan on the market now. But wait until the new 5 Series comes out to truly judge. The E200 will be available in June and in other variants from September. The variants available are: E200, E250, E300 and E400. Prices in the GCC start from 53,000 USD for the E200 and go up to 74,600 USD for the E400 (excluding taxes).
Pros: Lots of driver’s assistance packages, semi-autonomous car, infotainment system, comfortable seats, lots of engines choices, elegant interior with exquisite materials
Cons: Only one engine offered at introduction
Rivals: BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Cadillac CT6, Jaguar XF, Maserati Ghibli, Infiniti Q70
One word: intelligent
4.5 stars
Specs
Mercedes-Benz E200
2.0 L turbocharged, 184 hp at 5500 rpm, 300 Nm at 1200-4000 rpm
9-speed automatic tronic,
0-100 km/h: 7.7 sec, top speed: 240 km/h, fuel consumption: 5.9 – 6.3 L/100 km
Weight: 1,605 kg