Mercedes E-Class T-Model: Next generation, as before
Even before sales of the sedan begin, Mercedes also presents the E-Class as an station wagon. It surprises only in the details.
(Bild: Mercedes)
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An essential part of the success of the E-Class and its predecessors is probably that it only ever approached the zeitgeist to the extent that the majority of its target group could follow. It remained a large and expensive car that customers forgave even the occasional lapses in quality. There was no reason for Mercedes to radically change its basic orientation with the current model change. That's why the new E-Class Estate is thoroughly focused on what has made it desirable up to now.
Shrunk trunk
Mercedes did not change anything even in terms of dimensions. The large station wagon measures 4.95 m in length. The design is resting in itself, which, depending on how you look at it, can be either pleasantly conservative, i.e. far removed from rapidly wearing fashions, or just boring. A certain timeless elegance can certainly be attributed to the station wagon. The only surprise is a look at the technical data: with 615 liters, the trunk in the E-Class models with internal combustion engine is somewhat smaller than in the predecessor, which accommodated 640 liters. The volume in the plug-in hybrids also drops from 480 to 460 liters. The loss may not be huge; after all, the E-Class is still one of the roomiest station wagons on the European market. But some customers will criticize this small shrinkage.
Plug-in hybrid with large battery
If you want a Mercedes of this size without an internal combustion engine, you have to go for the EQE, which is currently only available as a sedan. However, the new station wagon can be used electrically to a greater extent than before. The plug-in hybrids are united by both the 95 kW electric motor and the 25.4 kWh battery. At least in the cycle, that should be enough for around 100 km. Mercedes is offering two plug-in hybrids with gasoline engines at the start. In the E 300e, the driver can already access up to 230 kW of system power, and in the E 400e the maximum is 280 kW. A PHEV with a diesel engine is expected to follow next year.
The rest: Always mild hybrid
Two two-liter mild hybrids are available right at the start. A 48-volt starter generator supplies 17 kW here. As these support acceleration above all in the lower speed range, the output cannot easily be added to that of the combustion engine. The E 200 offers 150 kW, the E 220d 145. In the sedan, Mercedes promises WLTP consumption figures between 4.8 (E 220d diesel) and 6.4 (E 200 gasoline). We expect only minimally higher values for the station wagon in the cycle. Significantly more powerful engines will follow next year.
Mercedes E-Class T-Model 2023 (6 Bilder)
Of course, the station wagon also offers the option of the glittering world of the latest electronic gadgets. If you like, you can leave the key at home and open, close and start the E-Class with an app on your cell phone. Until now, E-Class owners had to be satisfied with a maximum of three displays, but now, for an additional charge, they can not only purchase the head-up display, but also a screen in front of the front passenger. Mercedes has just presented an integration of ChatGPT, along with the promise of wanting to raise voice control to a "completely new level". In view of the fact that many cars still do not even offer what Mercedes has been offering for five years for a considerable surcharge, this is not good news - for the other manufacturers.
In addition, it can be expected that Mercedes will sooner or later offer highly automated driving at level 3 in the E-Class as well. After all, the enormous development costs in this area have to be spread as widely as possible. However, there is probably only a realistic chance of this happening if the current surcharge that Mercedes is charging in the luxury segment is lowered in the E-Class.
No prices yet
Unlike BMW, Mercedes is not yet showing its cards when it comes to prices in this segment. The E-Class sedan was unveiled at the end of April, and there is still no price list. BMW was quicker: The configurator was activated on the day the new 5 Series was launched. However, the rough direction of travel can also be seen at Mercedes: With the usual equipment in this class, even the base model of the E-Class Estate will easily exceed the 60,000 euro mark. After all, the fact that the large station wagon was never inexpensive was not detrimental to its success. In this respect, too, the E-Class remains true to itself.
(mfz)