Mercedes-Benz Gives 2021 E-Class A Face And Tail Lift Along With New Straight-Six

After the coronavirus outbreak got the best of the 2020 Geneva Motor Show, automakers took to the web to present their world premieres. For Mercedes-Benz, this includes the refreshed E-Class family, which follow tradition by getting a subtle makeover and all the latest tech systems.

New Face And CLS-Inspired Taillights

In the design department, Benz played it safe, subtly tweaking an already well-received recipe.

So what’s new about the latest executive model from Stuttgart? Well, it packs redesigned headlights, new front bumper and a wider grille, though you’ll have to head to the back to really tell a difference as Mercedes swapped the compact triangular lights for slimmer horizontal units inspired by the CLS on the sedan, with new trim joining them together and different rear bumper. Three new paint colors and an expanded wheel range complete the styling updates.

MUBX Infotainment And ‘PowerNap’ Program

Inside, the 2021 E-Class gains the latest generation MBUX infotainment system and a revised digital instrument panel graphics. It’s offered with two 10.25-inch screens as standard or two 12.3-inch displays as an option. Both of them can be used to access a wide variety of functions, are highly customizable and can be controlled by using the touchscreen, new touchpad on the center console, voice control or hand gestures.

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Other clever features include the ‘energizing seat kinetics’ that change the seat posture by movements for more comfortable journeys, alongside the ‘energizing comfort control’ with musical and lighting moods and massage modes. There’s also a ‘PowerNap’ program available in the PHEV models, with three phases – falling asleep, sleeping and waking, which comes in handy when users take a break from driving at a rest area or when they charge the battery en route.

The steering wheel design is also new and comes with a two-zone control area and can be had in three versions: all-leather, wood-leather or the flat-bottom ‘supersport’. The seats, door cards and other touchable surfaces in the cabin can be had in different materials such as Artico, Nappa leather with diamond quilting and others.

Safety Gear

There’s a wide range of driver aids available, including Active Brake Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Distance Assist Distronic, Active Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Active Parking Assist with Parktronic and 360-degree camera, and Active Stop-and-Go Assist.

Seven Different Plug-in Hybrid Models And New Inline-Six

The facelifted E-Class takes another step into an electrified future with no less than 7 different plug-in hybrid powertrain configurations, offered in the Saloon and Estate, with rear- and all-wheel drive and petrol or diesel engines. In Europe, the gasoline range has outputs that vary between 156-367 PS (154-362 HP / 115-270 kW) and the diesel lineup from 160-330 PS (158-326 HP / 118-243 kW).

Joining the electrified lineup is the M254 four-cylinder gasoline unit with new integrated starter-generator (ISG) that makes an extra 20 PS (20 HP / 15 kW) and 180 Nm (133 lb-ft) of torque. Cars packing this propulsion system will also get a 48-volt on-board electrical system, as well as energy recovery and the ability to ‘glide’ with the ICE turned off.

Mercedes-Benz has launched the M256 3.0-liter inline-six gasoline engine in the E-Class for the first time, which features an ISG as well. Completing the engine lineup is the OM656 six-cylinder diesel, which gets an expanded emission control system, like the OM654 four-pot. The 9-speed transmission has been optimized for the second-gen ISG.

Following the online presentation, the 2021 E-Class will launch in the second half of the year. The first examples will arrive at dealers in Europe starting this summer, followed by the China-only long wheelbase variant of the four-door. The Coupe and Cabriolet will also launch later this year.

What about the North American version?

The U.S. will get the E350 with a 255 hp 2.0-liter turbo in both RWD and 4Matic AWD versions, the E350e PHEV with a 315 hp 2.0-liter turbo and an electric motor, and the E450 4Matic with the new 362 hp 3.0-liter straight-six turbo with EQ boost, alongside the AMG E53 with a 429 hp 3.0-liter inline-six with an electric auxiliary compressor. Sales of the sedan models will start in late 2020.

The Urban Guard System For All Benz Models

On a related note, Mercedes has announced the introduction of the Urban Guard, a comprehensive category of products and options for the entire range, which protects against vandalism and crime.

Set to launch in mid-2020, the Urban Guard Vehicle Protection and Urban Guard Vehicle Protection Plus provide all-round monitoring of the parked vehicle and comprise of the anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection, interior monitoring and a bunch of sensors. GPS tracking is also included, thus pinpointing the location of the potentially stolen car and making the recovery, which takes place in cooperation with the police, possible.

What About The Estate?

The Estate or Wagon, as it’s called in other markets, receives the same facelift, but it won’t be coming to America – for now. A U.S. spokesperson told CarScoops that, “At this time, the U.S. will introduce the E-Class All-Terrain to replace the series E-Class Wagon. Stay tuned for more news on the E-Class Wagon in the coming months.”