Last Gas(p)? Mercedes-Benz Reveals 2024 E-Class Details

STUTTGART, Germany – Mercedes-Benz unwraps its sixth-generation E-Class, revealing a significantly more contemporary take on the traditional luxury sedan than its 8-year-old predecessor.

On sale late this year in the U.S., two all-wheel-drive variants initially will be offered: a 2.0L 4-cyl. in the E350 4Matic developing 255 hp, and a 3.0L inline 6-cyl. in the E450 4Matic with 375 hp, up 13 hp compared with its predecessor.

The new 4-door, among the German automaker’s last dedicated gasoline internal-combustion-engine models prior to the establishment of an all-electric lineup starting in 2025, is larger inside and out, with enhanced aerodynamics and more advanced driver assistant systems.

The new E-Class adopts a lineage similar to the smaller C-Class and larger S-Class, giving the traditional trio of Mercedes-Benz sedans their most cohesive appearance in over three decades.

More conservatively styled than the electric-powered EQE sedan alongside which it will be sold in the U.S., the E-Class is the same length, but 1.0 in. (25 mm) narrower and 1.5 ins. (38 mm) lower than the electric model. Overall, the new E-Class is 1.0 in. longer and 1.1 in. (28 mm) wider, with a 0.9 in. (23 mm) longer wheelbase than its predecessor.

The aerodynamic properties have improved. Mercedes-Benz quotes a drag coefficient of 0.23 for the most aerodynamically efficient of the launch models, despite the new E-Class boasting a larger frontal area than its predecessor.

The basis for the ’24 model, known internally under the codename W214, is Mercedes-Benz’s Modular Rear Architecture (MRA) platform. It is updated with a new electrical architecture that employs a single processor for faster computing power. A series of structural changes provide the lightweight steel and aluminum platform with added rigidity.

Mercedes-Benz is readying a successor model to the E-Class wagon, arriving at a later, as-yet-unspecified time. High-performance AMG derivatives are likely, but unconfirmed.

With Mercedes-Benz combining the next-generation C-Class and E-Class coupe and convertible into a newly created CLE model lineup, the long-running E-Class 2-door and droptop will be phased out.

Inside, the new E-Class receives a comprehensive reworking, with a cabin featuring more contemporary digital functionality, improved comfort and higher quality materials, all part of a concerted push by Mercedes-Benz to see the traditional sedan reflect a more luxury image and a higher positioning.

As revealed back in February, the standard dashboard receives a free-standing 12.8-in. (32.5-cm) instrument cluster and 14.4-in. (36.6-cm) portrait-style infotainment display. An optional Superscreen adds a 12.3-in. (31.2-cm) passenger display. The screen is invisible to the driver when the vehicle is motion, says Michael Hafner, vice president-MB.OS Base Layer and MBUX.

EClass interior

It’s all controlled by the latest MBUX system incorporating the first building blocks of the new MB.OS operating system, which will start to be rolled out across all Mercedes-Benz models by the middle of the decade.

It supports third-party applications, such as the TikTok social media platform, Angry Birds game, Webex, Zoom, Vivaldi and Zynk, the latter allowing the front-seat passenger to view TV shows and movies while on the move.

Among the options is a new head-up display unit. It offers a larger field of view and new augmented-reality functions, as seen on other recent Mercedes-Benz models. There’s also an optional Burmester 4D surround-sound system with up to 17 speakers and four bass units fitted within the front seats.

The larger interior provides additional front headroom, while the longer wheelbase adds rear seat legroom and knee room.

The E-Class will be sold with a choice of two gasoline engines in North America – both featuring 48V mild-hybrid properties, with a gearbox-mounted integrated starter motor providing an extra 22 hp and 148 lb.-ft. (201 Nm) of torque under acceleration. The system also enables coasting.

Included is Mercedes-Benz’s turbocharged 2.0L M254 unit, which develops 255 hp and 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm) of torque in the E350 4Matic. The optional engine is the turbocharged 3.0L M256 I-6 in the E450 4Matic, producing 375 hp and 369 lb.-ft. (500 Nm) of torque.

Both engines are mated to a standard 9-speed automatic gearbox with a Direct Shift column-mounted shift lever as well as Mercedes-Benz’s 4Matic system.

During a media roundtable prior to the reveal of the new E-Class, Oliver Metzger, head of E-Class product management, says the I-6 is modified for as-yet-unspecified higher efficiency. It uses a new electric turbocharger in place of the exhaust-driven unit along with changes to its compression ratio and cylinder head. The 4-cyl., introduced in the C-Class, is an all-new unit for the E-Class.

The E-Class is underpinned by a standard steel spring suspension, with upper-end models fitted with AirMatic air suspension in combination with ADS+ electronic damping control and with four-wheel steering that features a 4.5-degree steering angle. The rear-steer system improves stability at high speeds and aids agility at low speeds, Metzger says. The system cuts the vehicle’s turning radius by 3 ft. (0.9 m) to 36.4 ft. (11 m).

The double-wishbone front and five-link rear suspension are carryover, but the components and geometry are said to be new.

Among the driver assistance systems is an updated version of Mercedes-Benz’s Attention Assist. It uses the camera in the optional 3D driver display to detect signs of microsleep; if the driver’s eyes are not focused on the road, it warns the driver acoustically and visually via flashing red ambient lighting. If the driver fails to respond, the Attention Assist then initiates an emergency stop.

Pricing for the ’24 E-Class will be announced later this year.

– Bob Gritzinger contributed to this report.