When it comes to updating business class sedans, Mercedes-Benz is once again one step ahead. First, in Stuttgart, they were the first to show the new generation E-Class W214 (“five” BMW arrived in time four weeks later, but we will have to wait at least until the end of the year for the Audi A6 C9), and now the station wagon with the S214 index is presented.
The length (4949 mm; wheelbase – 2961 mm) and width (1880 mm) of the “barn” are exactly the same as those of the sedan, and the height of the Estate is one millimeter higher (1469 mm). Smooth contours favorably affected the aerodynamics of the “five-door”: despite the fact that the frontal projection area increased slightly (from 2.35 to 2.38 sq. M), the Cd coefficient for the new car is 0.26 instead of 0.27 for the station wagon the previous generation. A set of 17-21 inch rims is the same as the new sedan.
It is known that with the change of generation, the overhangs of the E-class became somewhat larger, but the increase mainly went to the rear. It would seem that this should favorably affect the volume of the trunk, but no: with the sofa unfolded, it is only 615 liters. For comparison, the last generation Estate had a trunk capacity of 640 liters, and the S212 generation machine had 695 liters at all.
The thing is that the engineers moved the sofa cushion more back, thanks to which the second-row passengers got additional legroom (according to the rigorous calculations of Mercedes engineers, 9 mm were added in the knee area and 15 mm for the feet). The “cage” of the cabin itself has become more spacious, so with the backs folded down, the new station wagon already holds 1830 liters, which, if only by a decalitre, is still more than its predecessor.
The situation is similar with plug-in hybrids. In the five-seat configuration, only 460 liters are available (versus 480 liters for the S213 hybrid), and in the two-seat configuration, already 1675 liters (instead of 1660 liters). Gone from the configurator and seats in the third row, which previously could be ordered for 1490 euros – the new E-Class can only be a five-seater.
The maximum weight of a towed trailer (2100 km or 750 km if the trailer has no brakes) has not changed with the generation change, but the maximum load capacity is now limited to 625 kg (615 for a diesel station wagon, 595 kg for a hybrid; before any of the station wagons could take away 670 kg), because the new Estate immediately became 120 kg heavier: the initial modification of the E 200 pulls already 1825 kg. Of course, as an option for the trailer, an electric folding towbar, stabilization systems and reversing assistance (in combination with all-round cameras) are available.
The station wagon’s privilege with respect to the W214 sedan is the rear air suspension, the trunk lid servo drive and the electric folding of the rear sofa backrest (in a ratio of 40:20:40) are already standard equipment. For a surcharge – whatever your heart desires: there is a “full-fledged” Airmatic air suspension, and a two-section panoramic roof, and a rear axle steering at an angle of up to 4.5 °, as well as a Burmester audio system with surround sound, an additional touch screen display for the front passenger, a four-zone climate control control and even illumination of the contour of the radiator grille.
Like the sedan, the new Estate will be available in three versions – Avantgarde, Exclusive and AMG Line – but the range of powertrains will be stripped down at first, without the powerful hybrid version of the E 400 e (381 hp, 650 Nm). The range is opened by the E 200 petrol modification with rear-wheel drive and a petrol “turbo four”. A 48-volt starter-generator (17 kW, 250 Nm) is built into the body of the 9-speed “automatic”, thanks to which the peak output already reaches 204 hp. With. and 320 Nm, and acceleration to “hundreds” takes 7.9 seconds: four tenths slower than a similar sedan, but two tenths faster than the previous generation E 200 Estate. The maximum speed is the same 231 km/h.
The remaining two modifications are also rear-wheel drive. The diesel version of the E 220 d (197 hp, 440 Nm) has the same automatic transmission with a “mild hybrid makeweight” and similar dynamic characteristics (7.9 s to “hundreds” and 230 km / h “maximum speed”), but at 100 km of the road already spends 5.0–5.7 liters in the WLTP cycle against 6.7–7.6 liters for the gasoline version. The E 300 e plug-in hybrid has the same petrol turbo engine and 9G Tronic automatic as the E 200, but instead of a starter-generator, there is a full-fledged electric motor (95 kW, 440 Nm) and a 25.4 kWh lithium-ion traction battery behind the back seat. Peak return – 313 liters. With. and 550 Nm. Such a station wagon can travel more than a hundred kilometers on electric traction, and develop 140 km / h along the way. The E 300 e version will be the most dynamic (acceleration to 100 km / h takes 6.7 s), but also the heaviest (2210 kg), so the maximum speed here is the most modest (227 km / h). By the way, the fuel tank for hybrids is slightly smaller: 50 liters versus 67 liters for fully gasoline and diesel cars.
Sales of the new E-Class Estate in Europe will begin in the fall. Prices for the E 200 station wagon of the outgoing generation in the brand’s configurators start at 57.5 thousand euros, so the new generation will probably come close to the 60 thousandth mark. Now we are waiting for BMW to respond: the premiere of the new 5 Series Touring will take place in the coming months.
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