Next-gen Mercedes E-Class estate arrives with electrified powertrains
Greater boot space and “superscreen” infotainment screen highlight the wagon
Mercedes’ next generation E-Class estate has arrived to compete with the upcoming BMW 5 Series Touring and Audi A6 Avant.
It comes in a choice of two mild hybrids (petrol and diesel) and a plug-in hybrid petrol option, and all are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission.
The E 200 features a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine combined with a 23bhp electric motor, delivering a total power output of 201bhp and allowing for a 0-62mph acceleration time of 7.8 seconds.
The E 220d is equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine and the same mild-hybrid system, producing 194bhp and achieving a 0-62mph time of 7.9 seconds.
The current top-of-the-range model is the plug-in hybrid petrol E 300 e, equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine and a 25.4kWh battery, delivering 312bhp. This setup can deliver a 0-62mph sprint in 6.5 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 141 mph.
Mercedes claims that the PHEV version can travel up to 70 miles solely on electric power.
The interior of the new E-Class estate shares the same dashboard design as the saloon model, including the "Superscreen" with the latest MBUX infotainment system, plus an interior camera for taking video calls when the vehicle is parked.
Similar to other models in the Mercedes lineup, the driver's screen in the E-Class estate offers two different styles (Classic and Sport) and three modes: Navigation, Assistance, and Service.
Mercedes has also developed an optional active ambient lighting system called Sound Visualisation, which causes the interior light strips to pulse and change in sync with the music being played.
The primary advantage of choosing the Estate over the saloon model is the additional boot space, which varies depending on the engine type.
The mild-hybrid versions offer 615 litres of boot space with the rear seats up, albeit 25 litres less than the previous model due to the battery's placement beneath the boot floor.
The plug-in hybrid model meanwhile provides 460 litres of boot space, 20 litres less than its predecessor.
For improved comfort, the estate model comes with standard single-chamber air suspension at the rear, though the car can be further equipped with the optional Airmatic system with adjustable damping for further customization.
The pricing details for both the saloon and estate versions will be disclosed at a later date this year.