2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class eliminates the pre-refresh car's slightly awkward four-unit headlight design but includes far more significant additions: a four-cylinder diesel model and optional all-wheel drive on every model from the E250 Bluetec to the E63 AMG sedan and the insanely rare wagon variant. That means midsize luxury sedan buyers will no longer have a good excuse to ignore the 2014 E-Class lineup, which will be offered in E250 Bluetec turbodiesel I-4, E350 V-6, E400 V-6 hybrid, E550, and E63 AMG forms, all with standard engine stop-start technology. And since this is a Mercedes-Benz, the E-Class will offer far more ways than before to raise the MSRP to S-Class levels, and, of course, provide extra layers of safety. Mercedes-Benz couldn't wait for the S-Class to arrive before sharing its latest safety technology, including Distronic Plus with Steering Assist.
2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
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2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
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2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
In the automotive industry's relentless march toward automated driving, Mercedes is introducing adaptive cruise control that can keep the vehicle centered in its lane and semi-autonomously follow in-line traffic. The automaker is also using the 2014 E-Class to introduce a brake assist system (BAS PLUS with Cross Traffic Assist) that can detect traffic and pedestrians and boost braking power the driver applies to minimize the chance of a collision. An automated parking system said to work in parallel and perpendicular spaces is also available, as is a camera system that provides views of all four sides of the vehicle.
Then there's the feature we might actually want to pay for on a new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: the Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera. Mounted on the front windshield near the rearview mirror, the camera has two lenses that see at 45-degree angles that generate a full view of the area up to 55 yards in front of the vehicle. Making the above safety systems possible is the E-Class' camera system, which uses intelligent algorithms. The sedan and wagon will offer as standard Collision Prevention Assist with Adaptive Brake Assist, a radar-based collision warning system that can reduce the risk of a rear-end collision. (Whether insurance companies will take note of the system's effectiveness remains to be seen.) Open-minded consumers interested in a new E-Class sedan will have quite a choice with the 2014 model. The new E250 Bluetec is a 190-hp 2.1-liter turbodiesel with 369 lb-ft of torque, and unlike its U.S. diesel-model predecessor it will also be offered with all-wheel drive. We'll see the new engine shortly in the GLK250 Bluetec crossover. Mercedes didn't reveal expected EPA numbers, but we can tell you the six-cylinder 2013 E350 Bluetec diesel is rated 22/32 mpg city/highway, or not significantly different from the 2013 E350 V-6 at 20/30 mpg in most states. About that 3.5-liter V-6: It returns in the 2014 model year with 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque in rear- and all-wheel-drive forms in the sedan and wagon. The all-wheel-drive E550 sedan makes do with 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque from its turbocharged 5.5-liter V-8, while the E400 hybrid pairs the 3.5-liter V-6 with an electric motor good for 27 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. Currently, the E350 diesel carries a base price of $1200 more than the regular E350 -- we're curious to see if that picture changes with the now-four-cylinder model coming to the U.S. All engines are mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, which now has a short-term manual mode that switches back to the regular programming after the driver stops selecting gears. In the U.S., the E63 AMG will be offered exclusively with all-wheel drive. Most will still get the Mercedes-Benz E350 V-6, which is now offered in Luxury and Sport trims. Traditionalists should stick with the Luxury trim and its more restrained three-bar grille. Those not bothered by driving a Mercedes sedan lacking a three-pointed star on the hood might consider the Sport, which wears a bolder two-bar grille. The Luxury model gets a comfort-oriented suspension setup, while, as you'd expect, the Sport model's suspension is about 0.6 inch lower. New to the E-Class -- and Mercedes says, to the midsize luxury segment -- will be available full LED headlights. The revised E-Class headlights retain the four-eyed look, but in a more refined two-headlight design.
Get up close to the new E-Class and you'll see a "double hook" LED daytime running light arrangement. From behind, the taillights have been restyled and the lower fascia revisited. The car's huge rear fender flares -- paying homage to the 1953 Ponton coupe -- are gone, replaced by less showy sheetmetal. Park a 2014 Mercedes E-Class sedan near a pre-refresh model and you'll notice the exterior styling differences, but the coupe-like CLS is in no danger of being out-styled by this new four-door. Inside, the main differences include additional wood trim on the dash (in two finishes) and a revised instrument cluster. The central air vents have been redesigned to make room for a rectangular analog clock. Above the clock and central air vents is the standard 7-inch high-resolution display. Also included on every 2014 E-Class is the color instrument cluster display, but unlike on, say, the 2013 Honda Civic, a rearview camera is optional equipment. (It's optional on a BMW 528i, too.) The Premium 1 package includes a rearview camera, navigation system, heated seats (standard on the E550), satellite radio, a premium sound system, active ventilated front seats, and a garage-door opener. Mercedes will also make available a hands-free automatic trunk opener. As with similar systems from other automakers, one can hold a foot under the bumper to open the trunk. With that feature and other new technologies, Mercedes-Benz is making it easy (or really tough) to make a 2014 E-Class your own. While revised coupe and convertible models are on the way soon, the E-Class sedan and wagon will arrive in the U.S. by spring of 2013. Considering Mercedes has sold 58,187 E-Class cars during the first 11 months of 2012, it seems the automaker is already doing something right. And with smoother design, a more efficient diesel model, and extended availability of all-wheel drive, don't count on the E-Class leaving its perch in the midsize luxury segment anytime soon.
