New for 2018
Mercedes-Benz expands the E-Class lineup with the addition new advanced safety features, new engines, as well as new wagon, coupe, and cabriolet models. A more powerful AMG E63 S will be available in sedan and wagon body styles.
Vehicle Summary
In price, the E-Class is positioned above the entry-level CLA-Class and smaller C-Class but below the more expensive CLS and flagship S-Class. The E-Class is available in several body styles powered by an assortment of turbocharged engines.
The base E300 (rear-wheel-drive) and E300 4Matic (all-wheel-drive) are powered by a 241-hp, 273-lb-ft of torque 2.0-liter turbo I-4 engine. A 329-hp, 354-lb-ft 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 powers the E400/E400 4Matic Cabriolet, the E400 4Matic Wagon, and E400/E400 4Matic Coupe. The AMG E43 Sedan (4Matic) uses a more powerful version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6 that is tuned to deliver 396 hp and 384 lb-ft. The AMG-handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 produces a whopping 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque and comes equipped in the new Mercedes-AMG E63 S Sedan and Wagon (both with 4Matic all-wheel drive). All engines are paired to a nine-speed automatic transmission; the AMG E63 models use a beefier AMG Speedshift nine-speed unit.
The 2018 E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet come standard an impressive 12.3-inch high-resolution display with navigation, ambient lighting with 64 colors to choose from, Dynamic Select driving modes, panorama roof on the coupe, and power-adjustable front seats with lumbar adjustability and memory. Available features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster (in addition to the 12.3-inch Comand screen), Air Body Control air suspension, head-up display, wireless charging, and multi-contour seats with four different massage functions. The sleek and powerful AMG E63 S Wagon includes many high-performance features like the AMG Dynamic Select drive modes, AMG suspension with full-support multi-chamber air suspension with three different damping modes, an electronically controlled rear limited-slip differential, a specially tuned all-wheel-drive system, dynamic engine mounts, and an available AMG Ceramic Composite braking system for maximum stopping power. The E63 S Sedan comes with the above features but also adds a new AMG Track Pace app for iPhone users that supplements the Racetimer feature. Owners can use the app to analyze vehicle data and improve their track time, share the results with other drivers via Facebook, Vimeo, or YouTube, and can connect to GoPro cameras.
The E-Class offers some of the most advanced active safety features currently on the market. The Pre-Safe Impulse Side feature rapidly inflates the front driver or passenger seat’s side bolster, moving the passenger 2.75 inches away from the impact zone once the system detects a side collision. When the standard Pre-Safe Sound detects an accident, the system will emit a short interference signal if a collision is detected, triggering a protective reflex in the ear helping to reduce hearing loss. Distance Pilot Distronic can follow a vehicle at a pre-selected distance up to 130 mph while Steering Pilot helps the driver stay in the middle of the lane with slight steering wheel adjustments. Evasive Steering Assist will assist the driver in an evasive maneuver by adding calculated steering torque and the Cross-Traffic feature of the Active Brake Assist system can detect cross-traffic and automatically brake if necessary. Active Lane Change Assist will automatically change lanes for the driver if clear. The standard Car-to-X Communication (car-to-car) feature can communicate with other Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the same feature and help the driver avoid upcoming road hazards they cannot see yet like traffic accidents.
What We Think
In a First Test review, we loved the 603-hp, all-wheel-drive AMG E63 S and said it drives “monstrously.” “For the past year, I’ve been running around Los Angeles in a Dodge Hellcat: 707 horsepower, 650 lb-ft of torque, 4,530 pounds, and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The E63 feels as if it could snap the Hellcat in half.”
However, this big and fast sedan is not a track car as the E63 tends to understeer on tight corners. The AMG prefers to conquer straight roads. “Time will tell, but until then, rest comfortably in the knowledge that the new E63 does nothing to tarnish the legend of both the mighty sedans that came before or AMG itself. Long live the Hammer.”
In a 2.0-liter turbo-four luxury sedan comparison, the 2017 E300 Sport came in ahead of the 2017 Cadillac CT6 but behind the Volvo S90 T6 AWD Inscription. “Although the Mercedes E300 makes a good case for itself behind the wheel, its tight backseat package and inconsistent self-driving suite combined with its test-highest $70,025 sticker price relegate it to second place.”
In a First Drive review of the 2017 Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Wagon, we felt the E400 was a superb wagon until you switch modes, “Speaking of modes, switching between the Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport+ settings available for the powertrain, suspension and steering reveals the E400 4Matic’s sole weakness: Inexplicably clumsy calibration of the steering weighting and transmission shift feel. Still, overall we still enjoyed the Mercedes-Benz wagon and said, “In so many ways it’s a worthy successor to the legendary W123 and W124 wagons; durable, high-quality, deeply capable cars that were the stealth-wealth icons of the 70s and 80s. And although a few gigabytes perhaps separate it from sublime greatness – the steering and the transmission niggles are easy software fixes – it is still the world’s best wagon.”
Cool Fact
The AMG S63 S Wagon’s handcrafted 4.0-liter twin-turbo produces an impressive 627 lb-ft of torque from 2,500-4,500 rpm and a peak power rating of 603 hp, providing a Mercedes-Benz claimed 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds.
Key Competitors:
Comments
Post a Comment