First Drive: 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan & Wagon

Story by John LeBlancBARCELONA, Spain — While the baby bear C-Class is the German automaker’s bestseller globally and the papa bear S-Class is the technological flagship, the E-Class has always been the mama bear of the Mercedes-Benz clan.A staple in the Mercedes-Benz lineup for six decades, not only is the mid-sized E-Class one of the brand’s best sellers — especially in emerging markets like China — it’s also one of the most profitable vehicles in the industry. And for 2014, Mercedes-Benz is spending some of those funds on an unusually thorough mid-cycle refresh.The current, eighth-generation, five-passenger E-Class sedan and wagon have been around since 2009. And even with a new generation expected for 2016, Mercedes wrought this year the type of changes we’d normally see on an "all-new" car. For example, almost every piece of exterior sheetmetal on the 2014 E-Class has been redesigned. The interior has been thoughtfully refined, too, and many of the driver assistance systems scheduled for the next S-Class luxobarge are being introduced on the mid-line E this year.What hasn’t changed is one of the pillars of the E-Class brand: passenger safety. So except for the built-to-order, rear-wheel-drive E 400 Hybrid, for 2014, all Canadian-market E-Class models come standard with the brand’s 4MATIC all-wheel-drive — even the high-performance E 63 AMG models I previewed as well.When they go on sale in April, the gas-fired 2014 E 300 Sedan, E 350 Sedan and Wagon six-cylinder models and the turbocharged eight-cylinder E 550 Sedan will use carryover engines. Every E uses the automaker’s seven-speed autobox. Canadian pricing for the 2014 E-Class range hasn’t been announced, but I expect only minor increases across the model range. Inside, the 2014 E-Class cabin’s redesign is more evolutionary than revolutionary. If not as ergonomically correct as an Audi A6, build quality remains as solid as a Swiss bank. The centre console design has been redesigned with crisper lines, and a new, large central screen sits at the top, with the unique Split view technology that allows the driver to see the navigation and the passenger to watch a movie. Ahead of the next S-Class, the new E-Class will offer the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive system: seemingly the next step toward autonomous driving. Including the new stereo camera (that can “see” obstacles 50 metres away, including pedestrians, and stop the car if necessary), lane-keeping system (it can detect and avoid oncoming traffic in an adjacent lane), and braking assist (detects oncoming traffic from side roads), Intelligent Drive combines 11 safety systems into a cohesive safety net. As well, Mercedes-Benz also previewed two more engines that will eventually be added to the E-Class. Later this fall, the current, E 350 BlueTEC 4MATIC turbocharged-diesel six-cylinder gets replaced by the new E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC. It uses the same 2.1-litre, turbocharged-diesel four-cylinder as per the GLK 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC compact SUV, where it makes 190 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. I didn’t get a chance to drive the Euro-spec turbo-diesel E 250 during the media drive Mercedes-Benz organized just outside of Barcelona, Spain, but what I did get to pilot was another new powerplant that’s heading our way: the E 400, sporting a new, turbocharged V6, speculated to be the eventual successor to today’s E 550 V8. Not to be confused with the current E 400 gas-electric Hybrid, this E 400 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre gas six-cylinder engine. And after driving a Euro-spec E400 Sedan, I suspect typical luxury sedan drivers won’t be slapping their heads saying, “Geez, I coulda hadda V8!” The twin-turbo E 400 puts out 329 hp and 354 lb-ft, which is obviously down from the 402 hp and 443 lb-ft the twin-turbo 5.5-litre eight powering the E550 generates. So it’s a bit slower to 100 kilometres per hour than the turbo-V8, but will obviously be less thirsty at the pumps. Noticeable was the less weight the E 400 Sedan had to carry around than the E 550 Sedan I also drove. Any non-AMG E-Class is comfortable, and won’t be mistaken for a sports sedan. But the E 400 tackled the twisty Spanish two-lanes we were driving with more delicacy and precision than the heavier E 550. As well, the blown V6 is smooth and refined when hustled. And like the V8, the V6 E 400 offers a carved-from-marble feel on the road. About the only thing missing was the mellifluous tones of the more pleasant-sounding eight-cylinder. The E 400 turbo V6 will come to Canada eventually, but Mercedes-Benz isn’t saying when. I’m guessing for the 2015 model year, with the E 550 disappearing when the next-gen E-Class arrives for 2016, leaving the AMG versions as the only way to get a V8 in the range. With an all-new E-Class only a few years away, we would understand if Mercedes-Benz made less of an effort for this mid-cycle refresh. But with its updated styling, new powerplants and state-of-the-art safety kit, feel free to tell your neighbours your 2014 E-Class really is “all-new.”

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