Spotted In Goa

The all new Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB was recently seen adorning camouflage in Goa and as per the automaker themselves, they will be launching it in India sometime around the 2024 festive season. Here is what we know so far based on the international spec and the for now China only LWB version:

Underpinnings

Now called the ‘V214’ codename internally, it is built on the same MRA2 Chassis (Modular Rear Architecture) as the new S-Class, C-Class and is slighty larger than the current generation being sold in India with it being 18mm longer at 5092mm, 20mm wider at 1880mm, 15mm increased wheelbase at 3,094mm and it will also feature an air suspension setup as before as well.

Styling

The rear doors are longer than before and carry over the distinct look of having the rear quarter glass in the C-pillar instead of the doors. The bonnet is now taller and flatter with a new clamshell type design, while the front grille is mounted lower and gets a wider bezel.

Inside The Cabin

The overall genera layout is carried over from the current short wheelbase car sold abroad and it consists of features like powered reclining rear seats with ottoman function, neck heating, 360-degree LED mood lighting and a ‘Boss’ mode for the rear left seat that folds the front left seat to aid legroom. Two wireless charging pads have also been added to the rear seat armrest.

Screens Galore!

The entire dash is dominated by a huge flat surface known as the ‘Superscreen’ which comprises three screens: a 14.4 inch central, a 12.3 inch passenger and a 12.3 inch driver’s digital instrument cluster screen. Audio is by way of Burmester 4D surround sound and Dolby Atmos with spatial sound via a 21 speaker 730 Watt system.

Increased Space

There is now 25mm more elbow room, 20mm more legroom and the rear seats recline to 36 degrees with extendable thigh supports that come forward 150mm. Boot capacity without the space saver spare tyre stands at 540 litres.

Hybrid Powertrain

Engines to be similar as the outgoing car, but will be thoroughly updated; so no strong hybrids for now and both engines get the 48-volt mild hybrid system; the power of the electric motor for the petrol has increased to 17kW from 15kW and the new four cylinder (M254) on the E 200 will likely have 204HP.

The OM654 diesel in the E 220d is similar to the one you get with the C-Class, which gets a single stage turbo and power is likely to go up to 200HP along 440N-m of torque.

The E350d replacement could go for the four cylinder 265HP from the C 300d or the six cylinder in the GLE 450d with 367HP and 750N-m of torque.

Pricing And Rivals

Expect it to go on sale with a premium of ₹5-6 lakh over the existing model with prices likely ranging around ₹82-95 lakh (ex-showroom), translating to the on-road prices touching the ₹1 crore mark. Currently, its only direct competitor in the Indian automotive market as of now is the recently launched BMW 5-Series LWB.