The 2020 Merc E-Class facelift – Pinnacle of Automotive Intelligence?
Mercedes launched the facelift iteration of their E-Class Saloon and E-Class Estate; the Car features a more dynamic design with redesign headlamps, tail lamps a new AMG specified radiator grille and front bumper. If you remember how well the W212 gen E-class got the much needed facelift then, this W213 facelift will resonate with you!
The new E-class gets a plethora of updates on the “Intelligence” part. Ranging from a capacitive sensor on the steering wheel to detecting when the driver has removed their hands of the steering wheel; active stop and go assist; Active steering assist; Active blind stop assist which now features an exit warning; Active brake assist and well, you get the point.
On the interior front, the Car features two 10.25 inches bonded digital screens with their top class MBUX infotainment system… finally in the E-class. This MBUX is not available even in their top-tier AMG GT 4 door. The new E also gets LINGUATRONIC voice control as standard. An AMG Performance Steering wheel also comes as standard and of course the Car will also have a plethora of customization options from the factory.
The new E-Class can be configured into seven different options with plug-in hybrids as Saloon and Estate models. It gets both petrol and diesel, with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive options AND this will also be the first time an electrified version is offered in the U.S market. The standard engine option for the E53 AMG is a 3.0 liter, six cylinders inline engine churning out 435 hp at 6100 rpm and 520 nm of torque. EQ boost on the plug-in hybrid version also boosts the power output by additional 22hp and torque by 220 nm. Sending power to all 4 wheels is the AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive with fully variable torque distribution while an AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G handles the transmission effortlessly.
The new E-class is launched at a time when none of Merc’s competitors are ready with their new versions. Since, the E-class has more than 1.2 million customers around the world, suffice to say that by the time BMW’s new 5-series and Jaguar’s upcoming XF are launched, Merc will have already settled itself in the segment. The Audi A6 was never really a competition with the sales figures and it is around an year old.
