Mercedes‘ document to the EPA gives us a better idea of its plans for the 2024 model range in the United States. The mid-size E class, whose latest generation was revealed recently in sedan form, is arguably the most notable part. What about the other body types of the E? Mercedes also plans to release the other body styles in 2024.
2024 Mercedes E-Class Wagon Redesign
The next-generation E wagon is expected to make a return to the United States. Based on what we have seen so far of the sedan, our illustrations show how the wagon might look in standard form. It seems that the W214 sedan longroof’s long roof cousin will only be available in the U.S. as the E450 All Terrain. It’s no surprise, then, that Mercedes will only offer the lifted E450 All-Terrain version in the U.S. AMG E63, the previous wagon-based AMG E63 model offered in the U.S., is also not yet confirmed. We won’t likely hear anything about AMG E-class models until at least the 2025 model.
The coupe and convertible E-class models will be a thing of the past by 2024. The EPA document confirms that the two body types will be renamed CLE-class next year. Mercedes will not rename the two-door E-class models. Instead, it will apply the name to a new generation of midsize coupes and convertibles, as indicated by the document’s model codes: C236 et A236.
According to this document, the CLE class is expected to come with three powertrain options. Benz badged CLEs are likely to be called CLE300, which indicates that they will use the C300 four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and CLE450, which is a clear indication that it’ll have the 375-hp 6-cylinder system of the E450. AMG has also listed a CLE53 that carries the same 429-hp straight-six powertrains as today’s E53. However, it may have a few extra horses.
Future
Mercedes told us that it was not able to provide information on future products. It remains to be determined if the information Mercedes provided to the EPA is accurate. It’s possible that an unexpected situation (like a chip shortage) could throw a wrench into Mercedes’s plans. We bet that Mercedes wouldn’t have provided such detailed information about its 2024 model range unless everything was firmly in place.
Superscreens and Artificial Intelligence
The Superscreen, which is available in the E-Class 2024, combines a 14.4-inch touchscreen at the center with a 12.3-inch display on the passenger side (which the driver cannot see while driving), into a large surface of the glass. The digital instrument panel is not integrated with the rest of the interface, unlike the Hyperscreen found in Mercedes-Benz’s electric vehicles. The standard setup is a floating touchscreen of 14.4 inches with no display directly in front of the passenger.
The MBUX infotainment systems’ main icons are now easier to understand and color-coded to match the smartphone tiles. This allows the driver to identify them more quickly. With the “Just Talk,” function, intelligent voice control is now activated without using the keyword “Hey Mercedes.” The display will show a red microphone icon when the function is active. This indicates that the vehicle is waiting for commands.
A single processor performs the computing functions that were previously separated into different domains. The MBUX and screens share a powerful onboard central computer. This allows data streams to be transmitted much faster. You’ll see a new video and selfie camera mounted on the dashboard. It’s true: While the car is parked, the driver can take photos or videos for social media. Mercedes-Benz is yet to confirm if this feature will be available in North America.
Alternatively, the new Active Ambient lighting with Sound Visualization allows you to “see” songs as well as hear them. The visualization takes place in the front cabin on the light strip. Mercedes-Benz explains that, for example, rapid beat sequences can result in rapid lighting changes while flowing rhythms create softly merging moods. Could it be a distraction instead? It’s best to test it to see. The new E-Class is equipped with artificial intelligence that can learn what comfort systems are used most often and automate these in “routines”. Customers can create their routines, linking multiple functions and conditions. As an example, “Switch the seat heating on and set the ambient light to warm orange when the interior temperature falls below 15 degrees Celsius.”
Engine
Mercedes-Benz did not mention the future AMG performance variants when introducing the 2024 E-Class. These will probably be 2025 models. The base E 350 4MATIC, similar to the smaller C-Class gets a mild hybrid system 48V and its turbocharged 2,0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers now 295 lb-ft of torque. The E 450 4MATIC’s turbocharged, 3.0-liter six-cylinder was already equipped with mild hybrid technology. The peak power output has increased to 375 hp.
2024 Mercedes E-Class Wagon Price & Release Date
No plug-in hybrid? That’s right. Mercedes-Benz, just like the C-Class in North America, doesn’t believe that enough luxury car owners want this kind of powertrain. They prefer to go all-electric. They need the newly launched EQE. The new GLE-PHEV models are available in the U.S. but they’re assembled in Tuscaloosa in Alabama and not Sindelfingen in Germany… we can guess that there is also a logistics aspect to this.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, as mentioned above, will be available in Canada by the end of this year. The new model will be more expensive. It starts at $54,750 for the U.S. and $66,700 for Canada.