Seamless

Digital and mechanical join together harmoniously in the hybrid-heavy new E-Class saloon line-up

- Georg Kacher

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY the wood and leather. Although those traditional signifiers of class, elegance, luxury, and other prized Mercedes values continue to loom large in the cabin and although the bodywork still says E-Class at a glance, there is a lot that is new and different going on under the skin.

There is a significantly revised engine line-up which, for now, involves all the engines being mild hybrids or plug-in hybrids, all with four cylinders.

And there is much more emphasis on the digital: controls, infotainment, comfort, and safety all employ a giddying amount of processing power in the course of making the driver and passengers feel relaxed, protected, and that little bit special.

Like its direct rival, the BMW 5 Series, the new E-Class will also be available as an estate, although what we are driving here is several versions of the saloon. And like the BMW, the Mercedes is electrified but not fully electric; that is the job of the EQE.

For now, the range in the United Kingdom is pretty simple-E 200, E 220 d, and E 300 e-all with four cylinders and all either mild hybrids (petrol or diesel) or plug-in hybrids. The range will grow to include a potent E 450 d six-cylinder diesel here and the more powerful E 400 e PHEV could be included at a later date, too.

All transmissions are nine-speed automatics and all of the initial UK market entrants are rear-drive only; Merc's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system could be added later.

The car is bigger in every direction and roomier, apart from the boot, which is at best the same the PHEVs eat into carrying capacity: 540 litres for mild hybrids, 370 for plug-ins.

It is a swoopier and more aerodynamic shape. The nose has a very S-Class styling treatment, with its new grille and slimmer LED headlights and tail lights.