Updates have been announced for Mercedes-Benz’s range of W213 E-Class, bringing some new tech and, more significantly, the company’s newest powertrains to their luxury mid-tier offering. It might have flew under the radar as the news broke in tandem with the flashier reveals at the Beijing Motor Show, but is something that more buyers can look forward to benefitting from.
Specifically, this newest tweak to Mercedes-Benz E-Class formula sees the company making good on a promise to move away from their legacy V6 engines and onto their more recent family of inline-sixes, bringing improvements to efficiency, refinement, and power.
Starting with the new AMG mid-range contender, the 53 series continues where the V6-powered 43 series left off. The new AMG E 53, due to arrive in Australia in fourth quarter of this 2018, sports the M256 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6, one that leverages the car’s 48-volt architecture for a mild-hybrid electric boost.
Power rises by roughly 25kW from the outgoing model to 320kW while peak torque, is quoted at 520Nm. All that thrust is directed to all four wheels through a 9-speed automatic transmission and Merc’s 4Matic all-wheel drive system, resulting in a claimed 100km/h dash dispatched in 4.5 seconds.
The other significant update surrounds the new E-Class’ diesel range-topper, the E 400 d 4Matic, which now uses the OM656 engine, a 3.0-litre inline-6 turbodiesel that generates a 250kW and thumping 700Nm of torque from as low as 1,200rpm. By comparison, the previous E 350 d only managed 190kW and 620Nm.
Further down the range, the European specification for the W213 looks as it did before, with a selection of four-cylinder engines (all diesels) supplying power to the E200, E220, E220 4Matic, and E300. Post update, specifications on the petrol and petrol-electric hybrid variants are yet to be detailed.
Along with the changes under its bonnet, the E-Class has also taken some choices features of the flagship S-Class, including an advanced driver assist suite that packages a more advanced Adaptive Cruise Control system with Active Distance Assist and Active Steering Assist, enabling autonomously executed lane changes.
The SportStyle Package is another new addition to the available trim levels, adding a chrome louvre below the front bumper, a front wing badge, rear bumper element in high gloss black, new tailpipe embellishers, and new set of 17-inch light-alloy wheels in either 10-spoke or 5-spoke patterns.
Should it be selected, and in addition to the new standard steering wheel, the interior receives: Headliner in black fabric, centre console in black open-pore ash wood, sport pedals in brushed stainless steel with black rubber studs, and SportStyle Package floor mats.
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