Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2024: next-generation luxury sedan to arrive in Australia in Q1 next year

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Mercedes-Benz has officially debuted its next generation of E-Class luxury sedan, the W214 series. 

Though the sedan’s lineage dates back to the 1950s, the W214 E-Class will be a sixth-generation in the nameplate’s providence that spans back to the original W124 that debuted in 1993. 

Today, Mercedes-Benz says its new 2024 E-Class “points the way in the transition from the combustion engine to electric drive” with “its new electronics architecture allowing a comprehensive digital user experience”. 

Key changes for the new E-Class include the incorporation of an MBUX Superscreen (available as an option), redesigned three-dimensional front grille, the availability of several plug-in hybrid powertrains and, in the words of the manufacturer, an “impressive, immersive entertainment experience”. 

Both mild and plug-in hybrid models will be available once the E-Class surfaces globally, from the base E200 through to the flagship E400e 4Matic variant. 

Mercedes-Benz Australia has confirmed to Chasing Cars that the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will go on sale locally during the first quarter of 2024. 

What has changed in the world of the E-Class?

For starters, the E-Class has grown in size to benefit the comfort of occupants. According to Mercedes-Benz, the driver now gains an additional 5.0mm of headroom over the previous E-Class. 

Rear passengers will gain more space thanks to a 20mm longer wheelbase. The German car manufacturer claims that there is now 10mm more knee room and 17mm more legroom than before. 

Elbow width is now 1519mm, which is an increase of 25mm from the last E-Class and, according to Mercedes-Benz, is “almost S-Class level” in sizing.  

Mercedes-Benz has also announced that it will make air suspension and rear-axle steering an available option on the new W214 E-Class. 

As standard, the E-Class comes standard with steel spring suspension with selective damping. Interestingly to note, the mild-hybrid variants ride 15mm lower than the plug-in hybrid variants. 

Mercedes-Benz says owners will be able to play music, games and stream content in the E-Class thanks to a “new, very powerful central onboard computer”. Third party apps such as Tiktok, the game Angry Birds and office meeting app Zoom will be able to be used with the E-Class. 

E-Class goes hybrid in a big way 

Every new E-Class has been electrified in some form or another. 

The entry level E200, along with the E220d and E220d 4Matic all feature Mercedes-Benz’s mild-hybrid setup that adds an extra 17kW/205Nm boost to the combustion engine. 

Mercedes-Benz says that thanks to a new battery pack, the company has been able to extract slightly more electric power out of the system. Power has gone from 15kW to 17kW, while torque is now 205Nm (up from 200Nm). 

A range of plug-in hybrid models confirmed for Europe that encapsulates the E300e, E300e 4Matic and E400e 4Matic variants will be able to travel between 97km and 109km in electric-only mode. 

Total system output for the E300e is 230kW/550Nm, while the E400e bumps up to 280kW/650Nm. 

It’s unconfirmed just yet what an Australian E-Class lineup will look like. It’s unlikely that all of the above variants will come to local shores.