Mercedes-Benz E-Class One of the best selling models not only for Mercedes-Benz, but for the premium car segment across the globe. The E-Class is the quintessential Benz sedan in many ways – plush, yet relatively accessible. carandbike saw testing the next generation car – the W214 – close to its production site – Sindelingen in Germany. What makes this important is that this test mule already looks closer to a production car. And you ask why is this important? Well, the current generation E-Class (W213) only hit the markets globally in late 2016. India got it in February 2017 as the V213 (Long Wheelbase), and the car was facelifted for our market in March 2021. This means that this new car should come to us around the end of 2023. This is likely to be the last ICE (internal combustion engine) E-Class model from Mercedes-Benz.
The E-Class uses Mercedes-Benz’s MRA platform, and the W214 will likely be one of the last models to use it.
photo credit: Siddharth Vinayak Patankar
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The all-electric Mercedes-Benz EQE is already available in the European markets. That car doesn’t share a platform with the E-Class anyway, as it is built on the EVA2 platform (on which the EQS is also built). The E-Class uses Mercedes-Benz’s MRA platform, and the W214 will likely be one of the last models to use it. Images reveal that the car has the same roofline, shape and appearance as the current E-Class. But the new wrap-around headlights appear slimmer, topped with LED DRLs that slant upward. These are also repeated as indicators.
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The new wrap-around headlights appear slimmer, topped with LED DRLs that slant upwards.
photo credit: Siddharth Vinayak Patankar
The rear windscreen and roof slope are very elegant, and I hope the black alloys are real kit too – they look very sharp and distinctive. Can’t say much about the taillights and exhaust! However, it is expected to follow a similar slim look design as we have seen in the new S-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has been on sale since 1995 when we got the first generation car – the W124.
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In fact, the latest MBUX NTG 7.0 suite debuted in the S-Class with its 12.3-inch vertical (portrait) layout touchscreen – will undoubtedly appear here as well. It looks like the integrated 55-inch hyperscreen look is reserved only for EVA2 all-electric cars for now. The new E-Class will be built at Factory 46, where Mercedes-Benz is busy making updates and changes to make room for its production. Factory 46, and the recently upgraded Factory 56, are part of the brand’s major manufacturing facility in Sindelfingen, Germany. They are composite or flexible manufacturing plants that can manufacture EV and ICE models on the same line. The Factory 56 unit currently manufactures the S-Class and EQS model lines. I saw several test mules of the new E test, on more than one occasion I might add, and over 3 days! And all the cars I saw were sedans. That said, I have no doubt that there will also be a longer-wheelbase version of the W214 E-Class, and certainly a station wagon or estate, and a coupe/cabriolet bodystyle for some markets.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues to be the best-selling model in the Mercedes-Benz India lineup.
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The Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues to be the best-selling model in the Mercedes-Benz India lineup. It has been on sale since 1995 when we got the first generation car – W124. The E-Class nameplate has since sold over 51,000 units in India and continues to be a flag bearer for the three-pointed star in the country. Hence, the W214 will continue to be an important part of the strategy for Mercedes-Benz India – as the current generation car has already shown. After several recent launches, Mercedes-Benz India is all set for the arrival of EQS and EQB in our market. And they are likely to be followed by the EQE and other ICE and AMG models as well.