Mercedes-Benz is taking a big step into the future with its all-new E-Class, which features distinct design, exclusive interior and impressive innovations.

Marking the world premiere of numerous technical innovations that enable comfortable, safe driving, plus a new dimension in driver assistance, the E-Class sees Mercedes-Benz taking another step closer to its goal of accident-free and autonomous driving, said a statement.

“The E-Class is the core of our brand, and in the past has repeatedly redefined the standards in the executive-class segment. Now it carries this tradition into the future with a wealth of top-class innovations that take safety, stress relief and comfort to a new level. It is without doubt the most intelligent sedan in the executive class,” said Dirk Fetzer, vice president and director, sales and marketing, Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars.

“What will also delight our customers is the confident style, agile handling and revolutionary interior design of this exceptional new model,” he said.

The car will be available in the Middle East from June. Pricing start from $52,800 for the E 200; $55,400 for E 250, $67,700 for the E 300 and $77,200 for the E 400 4MATIC.
 
The design of the all-new E-Class is characterised by hallmark Mercedes-Benz sedan proportions. The elongated bonnet coupled with a coupé-esque roof and broad-shouldered tail end creates an exciting silhouette, while its new extended powerful vehicle body is characterised by short overhangs, a long wheelbase, large wheels and taut well-defined flanks that display a fresh, stylish and dynamic interpretation of the feature line.

The muscular front end boasts a different look for each design and equipment line – Exclusive, Avantgarde and AMG Line models – with each of the radiator grill designs lending the E-Class a distinct character, it said.
 
The interior embodies the synthesis of emotion and intelligence. Optional extras include the Widescreen Cockpit with two brilliant next-generation high-resolution displays, each with a wide screen diagonal of 12.3 inches – unique in this segment. As the entire cockpit is fully digital, the driver is free to configure the information and views of relevance for them and thus create their own personal cockpit.  

In a first for a car, the steering wheel features touch-sensitive Touch Controls that, like a smartphone interface, respond precisely to horizontal and vertical swiping movements. In keeping with the motto "hands on the wheel, eyes on the road", this allows minimum driver distraction to be achieved.

Nine-speed automatic transmission
All models available are equipped as standard with the new 9G Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. It enables fast gear changes and allows low engine revs, which has a particularly beneficial effect on efficiency and noise levels.

The suspension on the all-new E-Class, with three options of selective damping, offers agile driving pleasure and the highest level of ride comfort in this segment.  

In addition, a multi-chamber air suspension all round is also available – the only car in its segment to offer this option – and one that delivers excellent ride comfort, good road roar and tyre vibration characteristics with its augmented electronically controlled adaptive damping system, and outstanding driving dynamics, it said.
   
What's more, a Dynamic Select switch in the cockpit enables the driver to select from five Air Body Control modes: "Comfort", "ECO", "Sport" , "Sport +"and "Individual", allowing drivers to configure their vehicle to suit their own preferences.

Next-generation driving assistance systems
Mercedes-Benz's new assistance and safety systems enhance safety, comfort and driver assistance to new levels. Active Brake Assist is able to warn the driver of impending collisions, provide optimum support with emergency braking and if necessary also autonomously apply the brakes. Included as standard is Attention Assist with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness.

Highlights of the optional Driving Assistance package that make the E-Class the most intelligent sedan in its class include:
• Drive Pilot: This system represents Mercedes-Benz's next step on the road to autonomous driving. As Distance Pilot Distronic, it is not only able to automatically maintain the correct following distance behind the vehicle in front, at speeds up to 130 km/h, the system can continue to actively help with the steering by taking account of surrounding vehicles and parallel structures, even if the lane markings are unclear or non-existent. The system makes driving much easier, especially in traffic jams or heavy congestion.

Integrated into Drive Pilot, Active Emergency Stop Assist can brake the vehicle to a standstill in its lane if it detects that the driver is permanently no longer taking control while on the move.

• Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function can detect crossing traffic at junctions and, if the driver fails to respond, apply the brakes autonomously. Likewise, the new Evasive Steering Assist system complements the pedestrian detection function of Active Brake Assist. If the driver deliberately or instinctively initiates an evasive manoeuvre in a hazardous situation, this function can add precisely calculated steering torque to support the movement of the steering wheel.
• Advanced assistance systems: the intelligent assistance systems in the new Driver Assistance package also include proven systems that have been further developed in terms of their mode of operation and the sensors they use such as Active Blind Spot Assist, Pre-Safe, and Pre-Safe Plus.
 
• Pre-Safe Impulse Side: This system is part of the Driving Assistance package Plus. If a lateral collision has been detected and is imminent, it can move the driver or front passenger away from the danger zone in a sideways direction by way of precaution. To do this, the system inflates an air chamber in the side bolster of the front seat backrest nearest the side of the imminent impact in a fraction of a second, thus increasing the distance between occupant and door and, at the same time, reducing the forces acting on them.

• Pre-Safe Sound: This system is based on a human reflex in the inner ear, called the stapedius reflex. Pre-Safe Sound emits a short interference signal through the vehicle's sound system if the risk of a collision is detected. This signal can trigger the natural reflex and thus prepare the occupants' ears for the expected sound of the accident, in order to reduce the stress on the occupants. - TradeArabia News Service