Perhaps the most significant product in the lineup of Mercedes-Benz, is going under a mid-life refresh. The German auto giant is going to have a relentless task of perfecting the already ultimate cruiser.
Joining the 2014 lineup of Mercedes-Benz are the restyled C Class and S Class, and the updated version of the iconic Mercedes-Benz E Class. The German auto giant is considering to reduce the overly decorative design cues while enhancing the E Class with top-notch technology.
On the exterior, the Mercedes-Benz E Class gets a new front end with subtle four-headlight layout, refined rear fenders and heavily modified rear view. Put it this way – the 2014 E Class borrows front doors, window and roof from the current variant, with significant updates to rest of the car.
In terms of technology, the new E Class features:
– Improved night vision assistance that effectively alerts the pedestrians and crossing animals
– Dynamic light assistance that dumps the previous bi-xenon technology for the more reliable fast-moving multi-directional LED pixels.
– Intelligent lane assist that relates the lane of the car with on going traffic.
– A congestion assistant, which will follow the vehicle ahead at speed of 40 mph, and re-route itself in directional and lane changes.
– A revised magnetic ride control system that changes the suspension damping in accordance with road surface with help of stereo camera.
– Head-up display with top-notch graphics and multi-color imaging.
– Car-to-Car communication system that warns of approaching emergency vehicles or hazardous road conditions.
Power Plant:
– E500 and E550 get a new 4.6-litre turbocharged V8 that pumps out 435 hp.
– E63 AMG gets the same 5.5-litre V8 from current phase that pumps out 537 hp.
– E350 goes up against the BMW 535i and Audi A6 with a 333 hp 3.0-litre Turbo diesel.
– E200 is powered by a Renault-based 1.6-litre inline-four motor, that is uptuned by Mercedes to give 156 hp.
– For European-bound E300, there is a new turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four replacing the current 252 hp 3.0-litre V6.
– On the cleaner end, Mercedes offers a 27 hp electric motor for the E300 BlueTec Hybrid and yet to be launched E400 Hybrid.
– Following this is a 68 hp plug in drive in 2014 and a 109 hp top-end variant in 2015.
There is a lot at stake here with the update of E Class. Will Mercedes please new customers without losing the likes of existing ones?
