THE 2024 MERCEDES E-CLASS AIMS TO BLEND OLD- AND NEW-SCHOOL

As Mercedes-Benz diversifies its lineup with more crossovers and a separate range of EVs, it's still sticking by one of its most traditional luxury sedans, the E-Class. For 2024, the E-Class enters its 10th generation (including mid-size sedans not called "E-Class"), and as you'd expect from Mercedes in the 2020s, it's a total tech fest. Given Mercedes' stated goal of going all-electric by 2030, it's also likely the last internal-combustion E-Class ever.

This new model, the W214 for all you Mercedes nerds, is based on the same rear-drive architecture that underpins the C- and S-Class sedans and the new GLC-Class crossover. It's a little bigger than the outgoing W213 E-Class, yet a number of clever design tricks make it one of the lowest-drag internal-combustion sedans on the market, with a drag coefficient of 0.23. Not bad for a car with a radiator grille.

Behind that grille is a choice of inline-four and -six cylinder engines. The 2.0-liter Miller-cycle 'four in the E350 is new for the E-Class and shared with the C300. Aided by a 48-volt integrated starter-generator (ISG) that replaces belt-driven ancillaries and adds 20 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque in some scenarios, the E350 makes 255 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The same ISG is paired with the 3.0-liter straight-six of the E450—basically the four-cylinder with two cylinders grafted on—as was the case with the old E450. Power rises from 362 hp in the old car to 375 in the W214 thanks to a new crankshaft, a new intake system, and a modified cylinder head. Torque remains the same at 369 lb-ft. Both engines are paired with Mercedes' 9G-Tronic nine-speed auto, and 4Matic all-wheel drive is standard.

The pictures released by Mercedes show a plug-in hybrid model, but such a car will not come to the U.S. In a media roundtable, Mercedes product planners said the company's market research indicated that Americans are only really interested in internal-combustion cars or full-electrics, at least in the mid-size luxury sedan segment. Mercedes also wouldn't confirm any AMG models, so we'll have to wait to learn if the E63 will get hybrid straight-six power as rumors indicate.

Like the new C- and S-Class, the W214 E-Class has what Mercedes terms a "four-link" front suspension which pairs an upper wishbone with separate lower arms, and a five-link rear suspension. As standard, you get coil springs and adaptive dampers, though air springs are available to provide even more flexibility. Like many other new Mercedes models, rear-axle steering is also available. The system turns the rear wheels up to 4.5 degrees in or out of phase with the fronts to improve maneuverability at low speeds and high-speed stability.

Naturally, Mercedes is quick to highlight the tech in the new E-Class, especially the optional "Superscreen," which improves upon the already large "Hyperscreen" offered in EQ models and the S-Class. It's essentially a large driver, infotainment, and passenger screen all residing under one huge glass panel. The passenger display can show streaming video, but the car uses clever tech to block this from the driver's view while in motion. Owners can also install apps like TikTok, Angry Birds, and Zoom on the central infotainment screen, which, yeah, sure, I guess. The car has an optional selfie camera, and ambient lighting that pulses along with the music you're listening to. Is anyone asking for this? I have no clue.

Perhaps more useful is Mercedes' suite of optional driver-assist features, which now includes an (optional) camera integrated into the gauge cluster. This can tell if the driver is nodding off and warns them accordingly. Notably, the E-Class won't get the coming hands-off Drive Pilot system as an option—that's reserved for the S-Class and EQ models.

Mercedes reps told media that a wagon version of the E-Class is coming, though we imagine the U.S. would get the lifted all-terrain and E63 as with the W213. The E-Class Coupe and Convertible will die with the W213 generation, though Mercedes is rumored to bring out a new CLC coupe to replace these and their smaller C-Class counterparts.

Mercedes says the 2024 E-Class should arrive in the U.S. by the end of the year, with pricing announced closer to the on-sale date. The E-Class has an interesting balancing act trying to show Mercedes as a forward-looking company while also appealing to perhaps the most traditional luxury customers. Let's be honest, a mid-size, internal-combustion sedan is hardly fashionable in 2023, so Mercedes has to push technology, lest the E-Class seem old-fashioned. The traditionalists might not care for TikTok integration and a selfie camera, but they should be happy Mercedes is still offering a mid-size, three-box sedan packed with compelling engineering.

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2023-04-25T15:03:47Z dg43tfdfdgfd