With a diesel version of its 5 series no longer an option, BMW's arch competitor, Mercedes is positioning itself to fill the gap by offering three petrol and three diesel versions of its new E-Class.
Notwithstanding the conventional engine-line up for the E-Class, this car may well be one of the last new Mercedes cars to have such an offering, however, as Mercedes moves to full electrification by 2030.
In the meantime the company will be hoping to offer diesel engines to high-mileage customers who it obviously believes are not quite ready for the transition to electric, especially on regular long journeys when charging currently presents challenges. The last sales figures show that 22% of new buyers are still opting to new diesel cars, although the figure is falling.
The new model makes a subtle enough move away from the current one, with sportier lines, more than a hint of S-Class influence, a longer and wider body and more interior room.
That S-Class influence is especially noticeable in the interior, where the Mercedes MBUX "super screen" dominates. The main 14" screen, for example, is particularly attractive.
Apart from all the features you would expect on a luxury Mercedes, the E-Class now has things like a camera that allows for video conference calls, a keyless Smartphone entry system and a camera that monitors signs of driver fatigue.
There are three diesel engine options - 2.2 litre/3.0 litre and 4.5 litre. The three petrol engines have 2.0 litre, 3.0 litre and 3.5 litre capacities. Prices start at €80,525 for diesel and €82,130 the petrol. Next year will see the introduction of plug-in versions of both, with Mercedes claiming the diesel one will have an all-electic range of 100 km’s and the petrol a range of 110 km’s.
Also revealed this week was the car that replaces both the C and E-Class coupe models - the CLE. Again, the car is lower in profile and has a longer wheelbase. It starts at €73,215 for the 2.2 diesel version and at €74,670 for the entry-level 2.0 litre petrol.
