2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class revealed, in Australia next year

The next-generation 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class large sedan has debuted.

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed the new E-Class will launch here in the first quarter of 2024 (January to March inclusive), with local pricing and features to be announced closer to launch.

The 'W214' E-Class launch precedes a significant update to its biggest rival, the BMW 5 Series, due later this year. It also rivals the Audi A6, which is tipped to become the A7 soon.

86

While the E-Class maintains its conventional three-box sedan design and internal-combustion powertrains – albeit with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid technology – the 5 Series will spawn an all-electric i5 twin.

But there's a pre-existing rival to the i5 in the form of the recently launched Mercedes-Benz EQE, which sports a unique, aero-focused liftback shape and rides on the brand's dedicated EVA electric vehicle architecture.

JUMP AHEAD

• Exterior design
• Interior comfort and technology
• Powertrains
• Safety
• E-Class wagon; AMG E63; CLE two-door coming

86

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class exterior design

Mercedes-Benz refers to the latest E-Class as "a bridge between tradition and digitalisation", with an evolutionary design inspired by the latest S-Class and C-Class – but with an overhauled cabin with optional 'super screens'.

It is based on the updated MRA2 platform shared with the S-Class and C-Class, with mild-hybrid or plug-in hybrid four-cylinder powertrains at launch.

While the design also takes inspiration from the streamlined EQE and EQS all-electric sedans, the E-Class retains its drag coefficient of 0.23 – though it has grown in every dimension, with a larger front-end volume.

86

Measuring 4949mm long, 1880mm wide and 1468mm tall, with a 2961mm wheelbase, the 2024 E-Class is 15mm longer, 28mm wider and 8mm taller, with an additional 22mm between the front and rear axles.

The latest E-Class features a larger front grille with a 'star-pattern' for the AMG-Line and a Mercedes-EQ-like gloss black surround that connects the slimmer headlights.

The grille is also available in a classic design, with an illuminated surround for all model lines.

Flush, retractable door handles borrowed from the S-Class are the easiest way to differentiate the new E-Class, with the conventional sedan shape providing an evolutionary look.

86

Alloy wheel designs between 17 and 21 inches are available for the new model.

While the tail-lights look similar to the C-Class and S-Class, the E-Class blends the rear design of the EQE and EQS with a full-width upper chrome strip and a unique two-element light signature inspired by the Mercedes-Benz star.

The brand claims the star motif has a day and night design, with a light show option to welcome or bid farewell to passengers.

As with the C-Class and S-Class, the optional air suspension now supports rear-axle steering to 4.5 degrees, reducing the turning circle by up to 90 centimetres from 12.0m to 11.1m in AWD and 11.6m to 10.8m in RWD, with 2.2 instead of 2.4 turns lock-to-lock.

🔼 Back to top

86

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior comfort and technology

Inside, the new E-Class has a digital-focused cabin with an optional MBUX Superscreen sporting a large glass surface.

This includes a tri-screen set-up with a passenger display, all running the third-generation MBUX infotainment system.

With a new system-on-a-chip, Mercedes-Benz claims the "computing functions of previously separate domains take place in a single processor", allowing for Tesla-like over-the-air software updates for various components.

It features a built-in 5G mobile antenna, providing data for vehicle applications.

86

And it isn't just Mercedes-Benz applications where a 5G connection will come in handy, with the addition of the Mercedes Me App Store.

At launch, third-party applications supported by the E-Class will include TikTok, Angry Birds, Webex, Zoom, the Vivaldi web browser, and the Zync entertainment portal.

When optioned with the MBUX Superscreen, the E-Class includes a built-in selfie and video camera on top of the dashboard for applications or storing images or video on a USB stick.

Artificial intelligence has been added to the MBUX system for "personalised automation," allowing the vehicle to suggest routines or for the occupants to create or download them.

86

The latest MBUX also includes a new presentation of the display’s main icons, a "Just Talk" function for the Hey, Mercedes voice assistant, and digital key support for the iPhone and Apple Watch.

Owners can share a digital key with up to 16 people through channels like AirDrop and iMessage. The user can remove a key through the Apple Wallet or the vehicle's infotainment system.

While the digital key requires a network connection for the initial setup and sharing, it works without mobile phone reception using Bluetooth and ultra-wideband technology.

As standard, the E-Class features a seven-speaker, 125-watt unbranded audio system. The optional 21-speaker, 730-watt Burmester 4D surround-sound audio system gains 360-degree spatial audio support with Dolby Atmos support for Apple Music subscribers.

86

In addition to the driver feeling the music through seat vibrations, the E-Class features dynamic interior ambient lighting that can analyse and visualise the sound being played.

The optional four-zone system includes automatic vent adjustment and fragrance ionisers.

Various interior colour combinations will be available, including light beige with space grey, tonka brown, and cool grey.

Compared to the previous E-Class, the new model has an additional five millimetres of headroom for the driver, while Mercedes-Benz claims rear elbow width is "almost S-Class level."

🔼 Back to top

86

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class powertrains

Six powertrains will be available in Europe – three plug-in hybrids, a mild-hybrid petrol and two mild-hybrid diesels – with a more-powerful E350 petrol likely for Australia and North America.

The entry-level, rear-wheel-drive E200 is now powered by a 150kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol, with the 48-volt mild-hybrid system providing a 17kW/205Nm boost.

It has a claimed 7.5-second 0-100km/h sprint time and a 240km/h top speed.

The diesel-powered E220d features a 2.0-litre engine producing 145kW and 440Nm, with rear- or all-wheel-drive.

86

Plug-in hybrid options comprise the E300e and E440e, featuring a 2.0-litre turbo-four, a 95kW/440Nm electric motor, and a larger 25.4kWh lithium-ion battery – but with differing combustion outputs.

The rear-drive E300e has a 150kW/320Nm tune for its petrol engine, with a 230kW and 550Nm total system output. It has a claimed 6.4-second 0-100km/h time and a WLTP-rated electric-only range between 97 and 115 kilometres.

Stepping up to the E440e – available in RWD or AWD – brings a more-potent 185kW/400Nm engine, allowing for a 280kW and 650Nm total system output. It has a claimed 5.3-second 0-100km/h time and a WLTP-rated electric-only range between 95 and 109 kilometres.

All powertrains are matched to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, which weighs 30 per cent less than previous-generation with the "electric motor, power electronics and transmission cooler moved into or to the transmission."

🔼 Back to top

86

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class safety

New safety technology includes; a driver attention camera, which will initiate an emergency stop if the driver fails to respond to warnings, while the active steering assist is now supported in urban and country roads.

A semi-autonomous memory parking assist will remember up to five parking locations.

In addition, the E-Class is future-proofed for Level 4 'automated valet parking' if the parking location is equipped with the appropriate infrastructure.

A front-centre airbag has been added, in line with recent Mercedes-Benz models.

🔼 Back to top

86

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon; AMG E63; CLE two-door coming

The next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon is tipped to debut by the end of 2023; however, it is unlikely for Australia since the current wagon was axed locally in 2020.

Following the four-cylinder-only C-Class, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see a V8 in the high-performance E-Class again.

However, unlike the latest Mercedes-AMG C63, Autocar reports the range-topping E63 will likely switch to a six-cylinder plug-in hybrid setup to deliver more than 520kW.

The current two-door E-Class coupe and cabriolet will be replaced by the all-new CLE sports car in the coming months in a merger with the smaller two-door C-Class models.

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will be produced in Germany for the global market, while a market-specific version built in China will debut in the coming months.

🔼 Back to top