Mercedes E-Class

FIRST DRIVE Newly electrified executive car arrives to challenge the BMW 5 Series

- John Mcllroy

IS there still a place for the combustion-engined executive saloon? Mercedes and BMW clearly still think so. The latter's all-new 5 Series line-up might feature a pure-electric edition for the first time, but it'll sit alongside petrol and diesel variants. And right on cue, there's a fresh generation of the E-Class ready to take them on.

Even so, the latest W214 version of Merc's mid-size offering does feel like it could be the ultimate iteration. SUVs have scalped a fair chunk of sales out of this premium segment already, and you suspect that all-electric saloons may soon accelerate their assault on the E-Class's last stand: the small-limo and private-hire taxi markets.

This E-Class range doesn't include a pure-electric variant - that's a role fulfilled by the EQE instead - but every version does feature electrification in some form or another. It's hard to imagine how Merc could have done any more, really, to keep its combustion-engined stalwart relevant, as well as legally compliant.

This E-Class is the largest version yet - 40mm longer and nearly 30mm wider than the car it replaces. And 22mm of that stretch is fed into the wheelbase in a bid to improve cabin space.

The new line-up starts with the E 200 petrol, with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo producing 201bhp and 320Nm, and a ninespeed automatic gearbox with an integrated starter-generator that can feed in 23bhp and 205Nm to deliver better response while the engine is spinning up. Mercedes claims a 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds for this version, with CO₂ emissions of between 144 and 166g/km, depending on trim level.

There's a four-cylinder diesel too, the E 220 d, which gets the same gearbox and electric motor; it produces less power, but more torque: 195bhp and 440Nm. This comes with rear or four-wheel drive and can deliver CO₂ emissions as low as 125g/km.