Stuttgart. The new E-Class Estate is now available to order. With prices starting from 48,665.05[1] the newcomer costs on average 1.1 percent more than its predecessor when equipped to the same specification. There is up to 1820 litres of load space and, in spite of a much sportier roof line, headroom and elbowroom in the rear are once again the best in this class. Deliveries start in October 2016. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz is also launching the first performance variant of the E-Class Saloon: the Mercedes-AMG E 43 4MATIC with an output of 295 kW/401 hp (fuel consumption combined 8.2 l/100 km; CO2 189 g/km) is likewise available to order with immediate effect (prices from 75,089).
The E-Class Estate is being launched with a choice of two four-cylinder petrol models the E 200 (135 kW/184 hp; fuel consumption combined 6.2 l/100 km; CO2 138 g/km) and E 250 (155 kW /211 hp fuel consumption combined 6.2 l/100 km; CO2 138 g/km) as well as the E 220 d (143 kW/194 hp fuel consumption combined 4.2 l/100 km; CO2 109 g/km) featuring the brand new four-cylinder diesel engine. Despite a significant increase in efficiency and output (143 kW/195 hp compared with 125 kW/170 hp) and far lower fuel consumption (4.2 litres compared with 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres), the basic price of the E 220 d with automatic transmission, for example, is comparable with that of the previous E 220 BlueTEC (50,485.75 compared with 50,158.50).
Intelligent load compartment: large, versatile and easy to access
With a capacity of 670 to 1820 litres, the E-Class Estate's load compartment is one of the biggest in the segment. As standard, the rear bench seat has new cargo-related functionality: it is possible to position the backrest at an approximately 10-degree steeper angle this means 30 litres more space for luggage. In addition, the rear seat backrest folds down in a 40:20:40 split as standard, opening up plenty of potential configurations between transport capacity and seats. The EASY-PACK tailgate provided as part of the standard equipment can be opened and closed very easily at the touch of a button for comfortable loading and unloading. Operation is electromechanical.
The optional KEYLESS-GO package (952) with HANDS-FREE ACCESS makes loading even more convenient: all that is required is to make a kicking motion with a foot underneath the rear bumper and the boot lid can be opened and closed fully automatically. You don't need to have your hands free or to place any items of luggage on the ground.
The EASY-PACK load-securing kit (351.05) allows the load compartment to be used in a versatile and safe manner. This solution for managing the load space includes rails in the vehicle floor, fasteners, a telescopic rod and luggage holders.
A self-levelling rear air suspension continues to be part of the vehicle concept as standard. All-round air suspension is available as an option in the form of AIR BODY CONTROL (1785).
The now fully electrically retractable and extendible trailer coupling with ESPฎ trailer stabilisation and Crosswind Assist (1082.90) also offers a high level of everyday practicality.
Interior design: a synthesis of emotion and intelligence
Moving inside, the Estate adopts the Saloon's multi-award-winning design. The instrument panel can be adorned as an option with two high-resolution, brilliant displays (1011.50), each with a 12.3-inch screen diagonal and housed behind a single glass cover, which build the widescreen cockpit. The Touch Controls on the multifunction steering wheel (standard) allow the instrument cluster and multimedia system to be controlled by making swiping movements with the fingers. The Touchpad (226.10) with Controller in the centre console that also recognises handwriting offers a further control option.
Another new feature in this segment is the Heat Comfort package (940.10) including heated armrests in the doors and on the centre console and the fast-responding seat heating Plus.
Mercedes-Benz is ushering in a new era of digitalisation and networking in the new E-Class. With the wireless charging system for mobile devices (238) mobile phones can be charged without the hassle of having to search for a connector and hook them up. What's more, the system also links them to the vehicle's exterior aerial.
The Remote Parking Pilot enables the vehicle to be manoeuvred into and out of garages and parking spaces from outside the vehicle via a smartphone app for the first time. The Remote Parking Pilot is one of the Mercedes me connect services and is available in combination with the Parking package (1773.10) and KEYLESS-GO (833) or the KEYLESS-GO package (952) and COMAND Online (3272.50).
Relieved of much noise and vibration: one of the quietest estate vehicles
In the interior, the new E-Class Estate is one of the quietest vehicles in its class even though an estate is at a disadvantage by design compared to a saloon due to the large resonating body. Quiet running and low vibration make a significant contribution to the level of energising comfort, particularly on long journeys.
The Acoustic Comfort package (1309) is additionally available as an optional extra. A special acoustic film in the windscreen and side windows together with additional sound insulation measures ensures very low levels of background noise in the vehicle interior. To provide excellent heat insulation in the interior, the windscreen, side windows and rear windows are made of laminated safety glass with another layer of film that absorbs infrared.
Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive: all the E-Class innovations are on-board
As the most intelligent executive saloon, the new E-Class sets new benchmarks in terms of safety, comfort and reducing the driver's workload. All innovations are also available on the Estate. Active Brake Assist is fitted as standard. It is able to warn the driver of impending collisions, provide optimum support with emergency braking and also apply the brakes autonomously in an emergency. In addition to slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it can also detect pedestrians crossing the danger zone ahead of the vehicle.
Other highlights include, for example, the Driving Assistance package with Drive Pilot (2261): this system represents Mercedes-Benz's next step along the road to autonomous driving. As Distance Pilot DISTRONIC, it is not only able to automatically keep the car the correct distance behind vehicles in front on all types of road, it can also follow them at a speed of up to 210 km/h for the first time.
The Driving Assistance package Plus (2856) furthermore includes the PRE-SAFEฎ Impulse Side function. Compared to a front impact, only a limited crumple zone is available in the case of a side impact. For this reason, PRE-SAFEฎ Impulse Side moves the affected driver or front passenger as far away as possible from the acute danger zone before the actual crash. To do this, as soon as the system detects that a side collision is immediately imminent, air chambers in the side bolsters of the front seat backrests are inflated in fractions of a second.
First performance variant of the E-Class Saloon: AMG E 43 4MATIC
The Mercedes-AMG E 43 4MATIC with the 3.0-litre V6 biturbo engine on board represents the most powerful variant of the executive saloon. It is available to order now with prices starting from 75,089 and deliveries will commence in September 2016.
With two new turbochargers and corresponding software applications, the supercharged six-cylinder engine delivers an output of 295 kW (401 hp). As ever, the standard-specification AMG Performance 4MATIC four-wheel drive combines optimum traction with high agility on the E 43, thanks to rear-biased torque distribution with a front-to-rear ratio of 31:69 percent. The 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission with shorter shift times, the retuned sports suspension based on the AIR BODY CONTROL air suspension and the more direct steering ratio also provide for signature AMG Driving Performance.
The optional equipment features bring the sporty character of the E 43 4MATIC to the fore: the exterior modifications on offer include the Night package (535.50). This comprises an AMG front apron with front splitter in high-gloss black; attachments on the outer air intake louvres in high-gloss black; AMG rear apron with high-gloss black trim; black chromed twin tailpipes, as well as dark tinted heat-insulating glass from the B-pillar backwards. The AMG Exterior Carbon-Fibre package II (2082.50) includes carbon-fibre exterior mirror housings and a carbon-fibre AMG spoiler lip. 20-inch wheels in a bichromatic finish are available with prices starting at 1071.
There is a wide variety of customisation options for the vehicle interior. These range from the AMG carbon-fibre centre console (1130.50) through AMG carbon-fibre trim (3510.50) and nappa leather upholstery (2618) to the AMG performance steering wheel in black nappa leather/DINAMICA microfibre (654.50). The upper section of the dashboard and the beltlines can also be trimmed in nappa leather as an option (1130.50).
