The new E-Class (length/width/height: 4949/1880/1468 millimetres) has the proportions of a classic three‑box saloon: the short front overhang and long bonnet are followed by a greenhouse which is set well back. The passenger area is generously dimensioned, partly owing to the two-centimetre longer wheelbase (2961 millimetres) compared to the preceding series. The luggage capacity is up to 540 litres.

Radiator grille with black panel-like surface
The connection between tradition and modernity is made particularly clear by a feature at the front: A black panel-like surface connects the radiator grille with the headlamps. This insert in high-gloss black is visually reminiscent of the Mercedes-EQ models. The three-dimensionally designed radiator grille is either progressive or classic, depending on the equipment line. An illuminated radiator grille surround is optionally available for all lines.

MBUX Superscreen with large glass surface
The dashboard makes for the digital experience in the interior. If the E-Class is equipped with the optional front passenger screen, the large glass surface of the MBUX Superscreen extends to the central display. Visually detached from this is the high-resolution driver display in the driver’s field of vision. The main icons on the central and optional passenger displays are now simpler, and also colour-coded to match smartphone tiles.

New electronics architecture
The electronics architecture is more software-driven and less hardware-driven. The computing functions of previously separate domains take place in a single processor. Screens and the MBUX infotainment system thus share a new, very powerful central onboard computer. This form of networking improves the performance and speed of the data streams.

The Digital Vehicle Key^[1] is now available for the iPhone and Apple® Watch
With the Digital Vehicle Key, the E-Class can be started and locked simply by the driver carrying a compatible device^[2] with them. Key sharing is also possible: various digital channels can be used to invite family members or friends to use the E-Class. In doing so, the vehicle owner can assign different rights, granting only access to the vehicle or also allowing it to be driven. The vehicle can recognise several users at once, and the Digital Vehicle Key can be shared by up to 16 persons. In those markets where Mercedes me connect services are available, Pre-installation for the Digital Vehicle Key forms part of the KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package^[3]. This equipment combination is available in the new E-Class from the Premium Package onwards.

Sound visualisation
With the new Active Ambient Lighting (optional extra) with Sound Visualisation, occupants can also “see” music tracks and the sounds of films or apps. Visualisation takes place on the light band of the Active Ambient Lighting. For example, fast sequences of beats can cause rapid light changes, while flowing rhythms can create softly merging lighting moods.

New third-party apps plus selfie and video camera
The entertainment programme in the E-Class is more interactive than ever. The software experts at Mercedes-Benz have developed a new compatibility layer that allows the installation of third-party apps^[4]. At market launch, the following apps are available on the central display^[5]: the entertainment platform “TikTok”, the game “Angry Birds”, the collaborative application “Webex” and the office application “Zoom”, as well as the browser “Vivaldi”. Another new feature is a selfie and video camera (part of the optional MBUX Superscreen) on top of the dashboard^[6].

Automated comfort functions with routines^[7]
Mercedes-Benz is working on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) so that the car learns which comfort systems vehicle occupants use repeatedly. Given the same circumstances, the aim is for AI to automate such functions. Mercedes-Benz uses the term ‘routine’ for this innovation. On the launch of the new E-Class, customers will be able to use templates for standard routines. They also have the option of creating routines themselves.

New with ENERGIZING COMFORT and ENERGIZING COACH
The Anti-Travel Sickness programme^[8] of ENERGIZING COMFORT can help affected passengers to alleviate symptoms. A bio-feedback function is planned for the ENERGIZING COACH in the medium term. This can reduce the feeling of stress with breathing exercises. New features of ENERGIZING COACH in the E-Class also include the vital data shown in the central display.^[9]

Automatic air vents
With THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control (optional extra), Digital Vent Control enhances the comfort experience. It automatically adjusts the front air vents to a desired ventilation scenario. This can be done for each seat via the user profile, for example. However, the nozzles can also be aligned by hand as usual.

Intelligent blocking concept of the passenger screen
In Europe and in more and more countries, the front passenger can watch dynamic content such as TV or video streaming on the display during a journey. This is subject to the requirement that the driver is protected from distraction. The camera-based system in the E-Class uses a further improved filtering concept that is even more intelligent than the previous solution. The driver can no longer see dynamic content on the passenger screen while driving.

Very good aerodynamic properties
With a C_d figure from 0.23^[10], the new E-Class performs very well in its vehicle segment. It matches the value achieved by its predecessor on market launch. At 0.236 sq. m., the frontal area A of the new E-Class is slightly larger than that of its predecessor (0.234 sq. m.).

Compact turning circle with rear-axle steering
The new E-Class is available with the Technology package as an option. This includes the all-round AIRMATIC air suspension system with ADS+ continuously adjustable damping and rear-axle steering. The AIRMATIC suspension with air springs and adaptive ADS+ dampers responds very sensitively. The new E-Class is both particularly agile and highly stable with the optional rear-axle steering. The steering angle at the rear axle is 4.5 degrees. This reduces the turning circle by up to 90 centimetres

50 per cent plug-in hybrids already at launch
Thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing, the new E-Class sets new standards in efficiency. Half of all the models will be fourth-generation plug-in hybrids. The product range already achieves this high proportion at market launch: three of the six E-Class versions combine the advantages of a vehicle with combustion engine with those of an electric car. In addition to turbocharging, both the diesel and petrol engines feature intelligent support from an integrated starter-generator (ISG). They are therefore mild hybrids. Thanks to a new battery, the power of the electric motor has been increased from 15 to 17 kW and the boost torque to 205 Nm.

ATTENTION ASSIST with distraction detection
ATTENTION ASSIST, in conjunction with the camera in the 3D driver display (optional extra), can not only detect signs of microsleep. if the driver’s eyes are not focused on the road for several seconds, ATTENTION ASSIST can detect a distraction and warn the driver acoustically and visually. If the driver still fails to turn their attention to the traffic situation, there is an escalation with a second warning and a continuous warning tone. If the driver still fails to respond to the warning, the system will initiate an emergency stop.

Planned for the future: driverless parking and unparking
With the optional pre-installation for the INTELLIGENT PARKING PILOT, the E-Class is prepared for Automated Valet Parking (SAE level 4). With the Parking package with remote parking functions (optional) and the Mercedes me connect service^[11] INTELLIGENT PARKING PILOT (country-dependent), the new E-Class has the onboard technology to park and unpark fully automatically without a driver^[12]. The prerequisite is that national laws allow operation of Automated Valet Parking, car parks are equipped with the necessary infrastructure and the corresponding Mercedes me connect service for the E-Class is available and booked.

Resource-conserving materials
Numerous E-Class components are made partly from resource-saving materials (recyclates and renewable raw materials). Upholstery made of undyed alpaca wool combined with a recycled material is used for the basic seat of the E-Class. For the first time, certified recycled raw materials are used in the foam of the seats according to the “mass balance approach”. In terms of their properties, they do not differ from raw materials produced from crude oil.

Interesting facts & figures: The new E-Class: at a glance
The generous dimensions of the passenger compartment are partly due to the wheelbase, which is 22 millimetres longer than that of the preceding model (2961 millimetres).

The illuminated surround of the radiator grille (optional extra) has two optical fibres behind the chrome strips. Light is fed into the glass-fibre bundles via LED modules.

With two display styles (Classic and Sporty) and three modes (Navigation, Assistance, Service), the graphics of the screens can be individualised. The new MBUX is accompanied by a change in the presentation of the main icons on the displays. They are presented in a simpler way, and based on the colours used for smartphone tiles.

Depending on the market, a communication module with 5G as the transmission technology is used. This mobile phone standard makes much faster data rates possible than LTE/UMTS.

With the Digital Vehicle Key, ^[13] the iPhone and Apple® Watch become a car key. If the driver is carrying a compatible device^[14], it can be used to start and lock the E-Class. Key sharing is also possible: The Digital Vehicle Key can be shared with up to 16 persons. In those markets where Mercedes me connect services are available, Pre-installation for the Digital Vehicle Key forms part of the KEYLESS-GO Convenience Package^[15]. This equipment combination is available in the new E-Class from the Premium Package onwards.

The blocking function of the passenger screen operates in two stages: first of all, the seat occupancy recognition system registers whether the seat next to the driver is occupied. If this is the case, the touch surface of the display can be used from the front passenger seat via MBUX. If the front passenger seat is not occupied, the screen becomes a digital decorative feature.

In the new E-Class, customers can create their own routines in MBUX. In doing so, they can link conditions and functions with each other. For example, “Switch on the seat heating and set the ambient lighting to warm orange if the interior temperature is below twelve degrees Celsius”.

Many passengers have experience of car sickness. The new anti-travel sickness program of ENERGIZING COMFORT can help alleviate the front passenger’s symptoms or delay their onset, reduce the perceived severity and generally increase well-being.

In the new E-Class, the acoustics can now be experienced with a third sense: the active light strip at the top of the instrument panel and in the front door panels can be used to produce a visual interpretation of any content from any of the sources of entertainment sound.

The THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control system (optional extra) uses a new type of air vent: all the nozzles in the front area can be adjusted electrically as if by magic. The new comfort function is called Digital Vent Control. It is technically implemented with actuators. Two of these small electric drive units are located in each ventilation duct.

With a C_d value from 0.23^[16], the new E-Class performs very well in its vehicle segment. The frontal area A of 0.236 sq. m. is slightly larger than that of the preceding model (0.234 sq. m.).

Mercedes-Benz uses almost 500 microphones during the aeroacoustic development work.

The new E-Class is both particularly agile and highly stable with the optional rear-axle steering. The steering angle at the rear axle is 4.5 degrees. In the E-Class models with 4MATIC, the turning circle is 11.1 metres instead of 12.0 metres, while in the rear-wheel drive versions it is reduced from 11.6 to 10.8 metres.

Thanks to systematic electrification and intelligent downsizing, the new E-Class sets new standards in efficiency. Half of the models available at the time of the market launch in Europe will be fourth-generation plug-in hybrids. The product range already achieves this high proportion at market launch. With a purely electric range of up to over 100 kilometres (WLTP)^[17], the models will in many cases be on the roads under purely electric power, without using the petrol engine.

The standard Active Parking Assist can now be started intuitively via the touchscreen. Furthermore, automated parking and unparking is much faster than before, as the speed has been increased to up to 4 km/h.