Mercedes has unveiled the new generation of the E-Class, the German manufacturer’s premium saloon and historic model. Designed from the ground up by the design team led by Gorden Wagener, the design of the new E-Class combines tradition and modernity, recalling its ancestors and at the same time bridging the gap with the models in the EQ range, Mercedes-Benz’s electric and electrified models. The proportions are classic three-box saloon proportions: the short front overhang and long bonnet are followed by a set-back passenger compartment.
The passenger area is generous in size, thanks in part to the wheelbase being two centimetres longer than the previous version (now 2.96 metres). The cab-backward design is complemented by the well-proportioned rear overhang. The flowing C-pillar has a dynamic effect, while the two separate character lines on the side emphasise the sportiness of the car.
The design follows the Mercedes-Benz philosophy defined by the design team and called Sensual Purity, already applied on the new S-Class, the electric EQE and EQS and their SUV versions. One element bridging tradition and modernity is the black surface, a panel connecting the radiator grille to the headlights. The radiator grille with its three-dimensional design is progressive or classic, depending on the trim line. An optional illuminated radiator grille surround is available for all lines.
As with the exterior, the interior design has also been completely revolutionised and takes its cue from the electric EQE and EQS. The E-Class can be equipped with three screens – instrument, centre and passenger – for an immersive digital experience. For the central display, the glass surface extends downwards and the profile becomes flat towards the outer edges. Models without a passenger display feature a large trim element that extends into the centre. The front section of the instrument panel is illuminated by the Active Ambient Lighting strip that runs along the arc from the windscreen, through the A-pillars and up to the doors, creating a feeling of spaciousness in a tech key. The centre console is designed as a homogenous unit and merges in a straight line with the lower section of the dashboard
