The starting point of these two days of tests was the Mercedes-Benz headquarters in Sintra. This was the meeting place chosen by the brand before the departure of the delegation, made up of dozens of journalists, whose destination was the beautiful roads of the Douro.
In this route we drive and we were even driven! There was time for everything but good weather…
Complete family
As you know, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range has been completely renewed and is now complete. Incidentally, this was the reason that led Mercedes-Benz to gather this immense fleet of models for testing. There are versions for all tastes – but not for all wallets. Van, coupé, saloon, cabriolet and even a version dedicated to off-road adventures.
In this new generation, the E-Class received a completely new platform, which made this model evolve to levels of dynamics never before reached by previous versions. Note that Mercedes-Benz has pragmatically looked at a model born in Munich…
As for technology, the available systems (many of them inherited from the S-Class) show the way forward in the autonomous driving chapter. As for the engines, the blocks completely designed in 2016 for this generation, such as the OM654 that equips the E200d and E220d versions with 150 and 194 hp respectively, are among the most popular in the domestic market.
The brand also took the opportunity to reveal a new version coming by the end of the year. The E300d is a version of the same 2.0 block but with 245 hp, and which will be available in the entire Mercedes E-Class family, arriving first at the Station and Limousine.
The E-Class entry into the range is made by the E200, in petrol and diesel versions, for which the front grille assumes the traditional star, exiting the bonnet.
After a short briefing and knowing a few more details about the aristocratic family that dates back to 1975, and which adopted the letter “E” a few years later, in 1993, we were then introduced to the park, with a time that, finally, rain was approaching.
The Mercedes E-Class Limousine, E-Class Coupé, E-Class Convertible, E-Class Station and E-Class All-Terrain welcomed us with a wink followed by a ripped “let's get to it” look. Each with its own character, but clearly all of them with characteristic family lines, bearing the coat of arms right in the center of the grille.
Class E Station
We started off with the Mercedes E-Class Station, the most geared towards family life. There is no shortage of space, neither for luggage nor for occupants in the rear seats.
We also had the opportunity to start with the most appealing version in the Diesel range, the E350d. This version uses a 3.0 V6 block with 258 hp that responds with greater enthusiasm and linearity than its four-cylinder counterparts. Let's say it's always more “fast”.
Power delivery is instantaneous and the soundproofing and lack of sense of speed is notable. And dangerous for the driver's license points.
With a rainy day and still at the time of chaotic traffic in Lisbon, we were able to benefit from some autonomous driving assistance in transit. Through cruise control and Active Lane Changing Assist, the Mercedes E-Class does everything for us, literally everything!
The system recognizes the lane and the vehicle in front of us. After that, it pulls out, bends and freezes when necessary. All without hands, and with no time limit, up to a speed that it was not possible to determine, but which should not exceed 50 km/h. Which is too bad, as I needed another hour or two of sleep...
Mercedes Class E200d. The most modest of the E-Class family.
At the other extreme is the 150 hp version of the 2.0 engine, and it was with the Mercedes E-Class Station that we also had the opportunity to try out this engine. With the standard suspension, Agility Control, and even on the most winding road, there's nothing to point to the model's comfort and dynamics.
The panoramic cockpit, now standard on all versions, has two 12.3-inch screens each, where countless customizations are possible. For the driver, these can only be done with the tactile steering wheel controls. On the other hand, the 150 hp proves to be more than enough for the model, although they can sometimes harm consumption as soon as you try to increase the pace. From 59,950 euros.
Class E Coupé
The tested Mercedes E-Class coupé was the E220d, but that didn't give us less pleasant driving experiences.
With a very low aerodynamic coefficient and increased agility, it is the best version for those who want to enjoy not only long journeys, but also a more dynamic driving on winding roads. The optional Dynamic Body Control suspension already allows firmness settings between Comfort and Sport modes, which contributes to improved dynamics and increased damping.
The seats, in a 2+2 configuration, curiously appear to have less support, and are definitely less comfortable.
Admittedly a coupe. The absence of a B-pillar and door frames remains.
With adaptive cruise control and Active Lane Changing Assist systems, the model predicts overtaking situations, maneuvering autonomously, with only the driver intervening with the signal to change direction. The progressive delivery of torque and power always responds to the accelerator and, depending on the driving mode, consumption can go from 5… to 9 l/100 km. From 62,450 euros.
Class E Limousine
In a very appealing configuration, with AMG aerodynamic kit and equipment as far as the eye can see, it was the Mercedes E-Class limousine that was waiting for us in the afternoon.
Once again, the V6 block of the E350 d had good experiences for arriving in the Douro, with the curves to follow. This is where I took full advantage of the 9G Tronic gearbox, standard across the E-Class diesel engine range. The Sport mode allowed for a faster response, not just from the gearbox but from the throttle. Turn after turn I forgot the dimensions of this saloon.
With the AMG Aesthetic Kit, the Mercedes E-Class is much more appealing, whatever the version.
If there are systems that we like to use, there are others that we prefer not to take advantage of. This is the case of the Impulse Side, a system that moves the driver to the center of the vehicle, in order to minimize the consequences in case of side impacts. Well, it's better to believe they work…
Less focused on driving, I took advantage of the Burmester surround sound system, which can go from 1000 euros to 6000 euros in the 3D sound option. I don't know which one I heard… but that it was capable of giving music to the entire Douro region, I don't doubt that. From 57 150 euros.
Class E All-Terrain
The Mercedes E-Class All Terrain is the bet of the German brand in a segment capable of rivaling SUVs. The market for vans capable of providing moments of escape with a lot of class, with the family.
Air body control pneumatic suspension as standard, allows an increased height of 20 mm to ensure better progression on more degraded roads, and up to 35 km/h.
The 4Matic all-wheel drive does the rest. At each moment, the traction mode management optimizes the ability to overcome obstacles, which can provide us with moments of pleasure and adventure at the wheel.
With unusual off-road capabilities, the All Terrain option takes a different approach to familiar models, with the advantage of being able to enjoy other environments with the safety of the 4MATIC system, both in off-road situations and lack of grip (Rain strong, snow, etc…), and with a reference comfort and refinement, characteristic of the E-Class. From 69 150 euros.
Air body control air suspension as standard on the All Terrain allows the suspension to be raised by 20 mm up to 35 km/h.
Class E Convertible
The next day the sun would set and it was the ideal time to drive the Mercedes E-Class Cabrio, along the famous EN222. The model that recently completed the new range of the Mercedes E-Class is available in a version to celebrate 25 years of the E-Class cabrio.
This version is available in two body colors, with the bonnet in burgundy, one of the four colors available for the canvas hood of the E-Class Convertible. The 25th anniversary edition also stands out for its exclusive interior details, such as the leather of the seats in light tones contrasting with the burgundy and some equipment, such as the Air-Balance, an air-freshening perfume system that works by induction through the ventilation system.
The details that mark the evolution of the cabrio models are as standard, such as the electric rear deflector, the Air-Cap – a deflector on top of the windscreen - or the heating for the neck called airscarf. Also new is the automatic electric luggage compartment, which prevents displacement to the rear when it is in the open position.
The entire interior is in light tones, which contrast with the burgundy top.
The interior is exclusive to this edition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the E-Class cabrio.
The designation that identifies the version is present on the console, on the rugs and on the mudguards.
Ventilation outlets are uniquely designed on the E-Class cabrio and coupé.
The "designo" seats are part of this edition. The Airscarf, neck heater, is standard on the E-Class cabrio.
Air Cap and rear deflector are electric and standard.
At the wheel, it is mandatory to emphasize the sound insulation of the soft top, regardless of speed. Even because we didn't have the sun in our favor for much longer. The hood is operable even beyond 50 km/h, which allowed me to close it while I felt the first drops, another useful asset, which for those who never had this need may seem like a show-off.
Afterwards, we were “brutally” buffeted by a storm that tested not only the effectiveness of the security systems, but once again the remarkable insulation of the canvas roof. If it weren't for the reduced speed at which he was circulating, he probably didn't hesitate to say that he had fired all of the A1's radars, such was the force of the weather.
Here, there must necessarily be a negative note for the 9G-Tronic automatic transmission, which does not allow “forcing” a fully manual mode, so that in situations like this we can have the car with a “short rein”. From 69 600 euros.
Is there any missing?
By now they must be asking. So what about the Mercedes-AMG E63 S? I thought exactly the same thing when I realized that the most powerful relative of the E-Class family was not present, as I was in a hurry to get to Lisbon on my way back. But now that I think about the matter better… I also miss my driving license.
Lucky for Guilherme, who had the opportunity to lead him "in depth!" but take your time, on one of the best circuits I've ever taken, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA).
Regardless of version or engine, it looks like the new E-Class is out for the curves. An important moment at a time when the competition is not just German. Over there in Sweden (Volvo) and Japan (Lexus), there are brands that do not give truce. Who wins are the consumers.