MERCEDES E-CLASS: A STAR WITH INTELLIGENCE

Last updated Apr 16, 2022

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PRICE AND SPECIFICATIONS MERCEDES-BENZ E 200 BUSINESS

COMPETITORS MERCEDES-BENZ E 200 BUSINESS

Mercedes-Benz models can be used to judge how the automotive industry is developing and what trends will become massive in a few years. A new round of evolution demonstrates the restyling of the German business sedan.

Each brand has its own main model, a kind of “heart” of the brand. And it is determined not only by the volume of sales. The E-class is considered such an unofficial leader in the Mercedes lineup, although it ranks third in world sales, leaving the C-class family and the GLC crossover ahead. However, there is no reason to complain about the popularity of the E-class. About a thousand of these cars are sold every day in the world, and over the years of post-war history, the total circulation of “medium” Mercedes sedans and station wagons has exceeded 14 million copies. Many machines produced 20‒30‒40 years ago are still in service. Arriving in Greece, you have the chance to ride in a taxi in an E-class with a range of a million kilometers, this is not such a rarity in a country with a warm climate. The record mileage of 4.6 million km driving an E-class W123 series also belongs to a Greek taxi driver.

Since the 1990s, according to the change of generations of the E-class, you can “synchronize the clock”: the premiere is supposed to be every seven years, and restyling takes place in the middle of this period. The 10th generation machine appeared in 2016, from the spring of 2020, an updated family enters the market. It includes a sedan, wagon, all-terrain version of the All-Terrain, coupe and convertible. The locomotive of sales, of course, is the sedan – we'll talk about it.

The body design is familiar and even slightly familiar on the streets of the metropolis. The general style made all three main sedans very similar: C-, E- and S-class. This “suit” on the E-class “sits” perfectly. The car has classic proportions, emphasizing the status and style of the car. When restyling, the feed has changed the most. The new lights have become noticeably narrower and wider, having received additional sections on the trunk lid. The headlights have also changed – they no longer have a visual division into two parts. As standard, ordinary diodes illuminate the road, and for an extra charge, adaptive MultiBeam “guns” are offered, which can illuminate everything you need at a long distance, but do not blind oncoming drivers. There are also changes in the plastic body kit. The entry-level model received the exterior of the Avantgarde sports line. So the branded star on the grille has ceased to be a sign of more expensive versions. There are also three new colors, each of which is another shade of gray.

AT REST

There is no dispute about tastes: someone likes the efficiency of Audi, others like the strict style of Volvo or the unchanged interior of BMW … However, Mercedes has the most luxurious interior in the class of business sedans. The front panel flows smoothly onto the doors, creating a sense of interior integrity. This picture is reminiscent of an expensive boat, especially when choosing a wood finish. In the cabin of the E-class there is not a single sharp or right angle: all surfaces are rounded and undulate into one another. As it happens in the premium, a lot depends on the configuration and combination of finishing materials and colors. You can choose from a strict and almost faceless interior to luxurious and even puffy. One of the win-win options is unvarnished wood trim. With the right selection of shades, you can create a classic interior that will delight every trip and not get bored.

The main quality of the interior space of the E-class is the ability to relax the driver and passengers. This is facilitated by design, ergonomics and an abundance of comfortable features. For example, there is an adaptive adjustment of the driver's seat: through the multimedia display or an application on a smartphone, you can specify your height, and the seat will automatically adjust to a position that is convenient for people of the specified height.

It remains only to enjoy the comfort. Armchairs gently hug the body. Metal surfaces pleasantly cool the hand. Carpets, plastic, wood veneer – everything is done at an excellent level. There are a minimum of buttons and controls, but the necessary is always at hand. Understanding the logic of the new MBUX multimedia system is not difficult, the necessary functions are found by themselves – just glance at the huge screens.

Before restyling, an analog dashboard was installed on the basic versions. Now screens rely on any E-class. As standard, this is a pair of side-by-side 10.25-inch (26 cm) displays with excellent resolution and beautiful graphics. For the driver, they look like a single whole. For a surcharge, even larger monitors are offered – 12.3 inches, that is, their total width is more than 62 cm! If the industry continues to develop in this direction, soon the entire front panel will turn into one large screen. Another novelty in the cabin is a steering wheel with double side spokes, on which blocks of touch buttons are located. The steering wheel can be completely covered with leather or have a combination of leather and wood trim.

The rear sofa is spacious. Both sit down and sit here are more comfortable than in the BMW 5 Series. Sitting on the right, you can see the road, instruments and display perfectly. A separate climate zone, heated seats and headrest monitors are on the list of options, as is a power aluminum tailgate. The spacious cargo area is lined with soft materials. World practice shows that the majority of E-class owners are ready to change their old car for a new one, only of the same model. The reasons are clear: you quickly get used to good things.

STAR MOOD

When choosing an E-class, the combination of powertrain and suspension is very important. Four options are offered for the model at once: a conventional spring suspension, lowered by 15 mm and with active shock absorbers. Air suspension offers a more comfortable alternative. And the driving character of these cars varies. In conditions with unstable road quality, the version with spring suspension and active shock absorbers will be the most versatile and smooth. However, any Mercedes E-Class effectively smoothes the road and has precise steering. It is especially pleasant to drive such a car on the highway for long distances. Silence in the cabin and stability on the line create a special, “Mercedes” mood.

The choice of engines is very wide. The most popular versions are the most affordable: gasoline E 200 (197 hp) with rear or all-wheel drive and diesel engines: rear-wheel drive E 200 (160 hp) and E 200 d 4Matic (194 hp). It is the latest version that you should pay attention to if there are no problems with the quality of diesel fuel in your region. The motor runs very quietly, without rattling and vibrations, typical for diesel engines of past generations.

For more demanding and wealthy buyers, more powerful all-wheel drive versions are supplied: the hybrid E 300 e (333 hp), the six-cylinder E 450 (367 hp) and the AMG E 53 (435 hp). Later, the top-end AMG E 63 S with a super-powerful 612-horsepower engine will become available. And this is a truly outstanding car, combining comfort with excellent handling. Such a car is ready not only to conquer the autobahns, but will also delight on the race track in weekend races.

DONE lately

All initial versions of the E 200 and E 220 are assembled at the new Mercedes plant in the Moscow region. They are offered in five fixed configurations. The minimum price – 3,730,000 – was assigned to two versions at once: gasoline E 200 and diesel E 200 d in a relatively modest Business version. The basic equipment includes LED headlights, heated front seats, artificial leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, a front panel with two displays and a rear-view camera. The most affordable all-wheel drive option – the E 220 d in the Premium package – will cost 4,170,000.

The most expensive all-wheel drive versions: E 450 (5,500,000), AMG E 53 (6,412,000), as well as the hybrid model E 300 e (5,100,000), will continue to be supplied from Germany. For them, you can choose any equipment from the widest list of options. These include next-generation assistance systems: autopilot to help you drive in traffic jams, car parking, active steering assistance and much more. Options and equipment packages with a six-figure price tag in the configurator are more than enough. For example, you need to pay 156,000 for adaptive LED headlights, 107,400 for the Energizing package with enlarged displays and ambient interior lighting, 118,800 for additional soundproofing. The price of the top AMG E 63 S is also known, which sounds almost like a free phone number: eight – eight hundred – three zeros … After restyling, the E-class has risen in price.AG