The 10th generation of the E-Class, model year 2017, has been kitted with so many innovations that Mercedes-Benz is calling the car "not just the most intelligent sedan of its class, but perhaps the most technologically advanced sedan of all time."
Despite bearing what the automaker calls an "emotional design," the new E-Class looks a lot like last year's S-Class and C-Class, with details such as the shapes of the headlights and tail lights serving as distinguishing traits.
It's what's on the inside that gives the new E-Class character and its own identity. And though its luxurious interior screams class and refinement, consumers will want to look deeper into the car's silicon soul to find the cutting-edge bells and whistles that put to music this marriage of tech and luxury.
At the core of the Mercedes-Benz brand is the E-Class lineup, which has been redefining the standards for the business class. That family of cars will continue that tradition through the wealth of world-class innovations built into it, according to Thomas Weber, Daimler AG board member and head of research for Car Development at Mercedes-Benz.
"The new E-Class takes another major step [toward] fully autonomous driving. In addition, it enhances efficiency, safety and comfort, reduces the stress level when driving and intensifies driving pleasure," Weber says (PDF).
Silicon Soul
Anticipating an imminent impact to one of its flanks, the new E-Class will shift the front passenger or driver away from whichever side is about to be hit. The occupants are shifted away from the doors thanks to the inflation of air chambers built into the seats' side bolsters.
The system, dubbed Pre-Safe Impulse Side, is one of several firsts the E-Class will introduce. Also new with this car are Car-to-X Communication, remote valet and a first for touch controls.
With Car-to-X Communication, which networks with other cars via cellular technology, drivers are advised of hazards in and near the roadway. In effect, the feature enables drivers to "see" not only around corners but also through obstacles.
As for remote valet, as seen in Tesla cars, the new feature will enable owners to remotely park their E-Class cars via an app and to summon them in the same fashion.
In another first for a car, the E-Class has also received touch controls that are embedded in its steering wheel. Drivers can control their infotainment centers by making taps and swipes on the touch-sensitive areas of the steering wheel.
Other high-tech touches in the E-Class, but not exclusive to it, include active brake assist, evasive steering assist and the advanced assistance system.
Life Of Luxury
Inside the E-Class, there's natural-grain ash wood and various other hues of brown that give the cabin area an organic feel. Those colors can be complimented by 64 other shades thrown from the LEDs in the car's interior.
The car's sculpted seats offer rapid heating that is complimented by heated arm rests, a heated center console and a heated steering wheel.
The E-Class can also be equipped with Air Body Control, a system that offers multi-chambered air suspension on all four of the car's corners. No matter how the vehicle is loaded, the Air Body Control system will self-level.
"It automatically controls the ride height depending on the speed and reduces fuel consumption on the freeway, for example, by lowering the vehicle. When driving on rough roads, ground clearance can be increased at the push of a button," says the automaker.
Notes
The Mercedes-Benz E300 goes on sale this summer and will come at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $53,075. Get more of the story behind the new E-Class in the video below:
