Mercedes E-Class | The companion

(Vienna, Austria) At Mercedes, we don’t rush anyone. While making a range of fully electric vehicles, the firm with the star keeps in mind that some of its customers will take longer to go up in “watture”. Hence this generation of the E-Class.

Electric vehicles do not connect everyone. And until the authorities compel them, consumers hear swear loyalty to the good old internal combustion engine for a while. And the E-Class, Mercedes’ most widely distributed model, intends to satisfy these die-hard faithful. But, in doing so, the firm with the star also takes care to accompany them towards the inevitable transformation of the E-Class into a “watture” and not a car. This transition is already underway. In North America, the EQE, the electric counterpart of the E-Class, is preparing to take over (see our sidebars). In Europe, it is more complicated. Indeed, Mercedes offers European consumers a much wider range of engines (gasoline, diesel, plug-in hybrid).

With us, the future E-Class – its marketing begins next February – limits its offer to gasoline engines with four (350) or six cylinders (450). Both are turbocharged. And both benefit from the assistance of a hybrid device (48 volts) whose primary mission is to reduce the response time (turbo) and soften the operation of the automatic cut-off system when stationary. The consumption ? Yes, but not so much. With the six-cylinder (450) at least, the only one of the two engines intended for the North American market present during the international preview.

In addition to a limited range of engines, the North American management of Mercedes sacrifices the family version. Decision that aesthetes will deplore, but which allows to no longer have to distribute an unprofitable vehicle. “If all the journalists who voted for it had bought one, it would no doubt still be listed in our catalog today,” jokes Zakary Paget, communications manager for Mercedes-Benz Canada.

Techno, but not too much

By revisiting the E-Class, its designers have taken care to correct certain flaws of the past. And create new ones too! The flowers first. This mid-size luxury sedan is now based on a longer wheelbase which mainly benefits the rear seats where the occupants once felt as confined as on board a C-Class, of a lower size. Clearance is better, but access and egress remain problematic due to the arc of the roof. Aerodynamics requires. We also note the significantly increased volume of the trunk, which can be further increased by folding down the seat backs.

At the very front, we find ourselves in the front row of a pyrotechnic show that Mercedes has mastered for some time now. This time – don’t forget the conservatism of the clientele – Mercedes is putting away the huge Hyperscreen digital panel (hyperscreen) that appeared on the EQ electric vehicles and which literally covers the entire surface of the dashboard. It’s impressive, innovative and certainly very expensive to replace… Although smaller, the E-Class Superscreen is just as small. And as long as you give it the necessary time, you can surf easily through the interfaces, but the virtual absence of physical controls still poses a problem in terms of security (distraction).

The E-Class shows more moderation, although the front passenger also has the right (at an additional cost) to their personalized screen. Using it, he can, for example, watch a film without distracting the person behind the wheel due to the presence of a filter reducing the viewing angle. With or without that last screen, there’s still plenty of room on that dashboard to stretch out some leather, carbon, and aluminum. The tradition is saved.

Like a glove

Let it be said, the handling of an E-Class is disarmingly easy. Smooth, robust and quiet, the in-line six-cylinders provide linear acceleration and vigorous pick-up, aided by a smooth and finely staged automatic transmission. Even the languor for which he was once reproached, particularly in the phases of retrogradation, has completely disappeared.

Despite its few extra pounds (a hundred), this sedan spins, imperturbable, on the roads that are thrown in front of it. The optional air suspension comes with a four-wheel steering system that makes the E-Class seem more agile and lighter.

Correctly dosed assistance from the steering adds to this feeling of driving a livelier car. The four-wheel drive system, standard in Canada, gives this Mercedes foolproof traction. To ensure the comfort of its passengers, the body takes a hint of roll, but this does not alter the confidence that we feel when negotiating turns. On the other hand, this beautiful optimism is tempered by the brake pedal which offers a feeling a little too spongy. The AMG version, due to appear shortly, will undoubtedly correct this criticism. Until then, the standard versions of the E-Class will reassure, for some time yet, those consumers for whom the electric transition represents a leap into the unknown.