New Mercedes-Benz E-Class India launch confirmed for second half of 2016

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class that was shown to the world at the 2016 Detroit Motor Show is expected to be launched in India around July 2016. This is the tenth generation E-Class and boasts some cutting-edge technology along with brand new engines boasting higher efficiency than before. The highlight of the range of engines on offer though will be the new, all-aluminium, 2.0-litre diesel engine. The German luxury car maker claims the new four pot motor will replace its current 2.1-litre engine and will offer better fuel efficiency while being more environment friendly, emitting just 102g/km of CO2. The engine will not skimp on performance though, offering 195PS of power along with 400Nm of torque, and Mercedes-Benz is claiming a 0-100kmph time of 7.3 seconds for the car. 

The higher efficiency and better performance is also courtesy the slipperier, more aero-friendly design of the car which, expectedly, looks a lot like the current generation C-Class and S-Class. It’s drag co-efficient is just 0.23, which means that in effect the new E-Class cuts through air better than a Toyota Prius. Goes without saying the new motor will be a lot smoother than the one it replaces as well. The 2.0-litre diesel engine will be the highest selling in India without doubt, though there will be larger engines on offer as well, including the 3.0-litre diesel powered E350. Internationally there’s an E350e plug-in hybrid on offer as well though it is unclear whether Mercedes-Benz India will offer the hybrid version in India. 

There will of course be an angrier, more powerful E63 AMG as well, which should interest a lot of enthusiasts. But engines aside, the new E-Class boasts a lot of new age technology as well, some of which brings it closer to the ambitious autonomous driving games manufacturers are trying to dabble with. The car features what Mercedes is calling the ‘Drive Pilot’ system. It includes an adaptive cruise control system with a ‘Steering Pilot’ that provides minor steering inputs to ensure the car stays in its lane, which means minimal throttle, brake and steering inputs from the driver are needed. A ‘Speed Limit Pilot’ works in sync with information provided by the car’s sat-nav to ensure the car adheres to the speed limits on the particular road it is being driven on. 

The new E-Class will also pamper drivers with an optional ‘Active Lane-Change Assist’ that will change lanes once the driver indicates the system to do so, if the next lane is empty. There’s of course a ‘Remote Parking Pilot’ as well, which means you could stand next to the car and park it perfectly. Interiors in the new E-Class will take things a notch higher with a classier feel than any of the cars in its segment, and in short the new E-Class is expected to set new benchmarks as far as midsize luxury cars go. Expect the new E-Class to command a premium over the existing car as well, given the novelties it brings with itself. Also, more importantly, the new generation E-Class when launched in a few months time in the country, will be the newest car in its segment.