Set to make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, Mercedes is introducing an All-Terrain version of its E-Class estate.
Featuring increased ground clearance, rugged styling and flared wheel arches along with 4MATIC all-wheel drive, the new E-Class All-Terrain is designed to tackle routes that conventional estates can’t.
“No E-Class has ever been as versatile as the All-Terrain. The new model combines a striking look in SUV style with the intelligent space concept of the estate. This is coupled with lots of innovative safety features and the multi-award-winning E-Class interior,” said Ola Källenius, Member of the Daimler management board responsible for Sales and Marketing of Mercedes Benz Cars. “With 4MATIC all-wheel drive as a standard feature and increased ground clearance thanks to the AIR BODY CONTROL multi-chamber air suspension, the All-Terrain is a flexible all-rounder – for unpaved roads, family and leisure time.”
The front end is characterised by the SUV-style two-fin grille with the star integrated in the centre, while the bumper and lower panelling are electroplated in silver-chrome. The top part of the three-part front bumper is painted in the body colour and the lower part comes in grained black plastic.
Down the flanks, there are black wheel arch covers, black side skirts with chrome trip strips and a choice of three alloy wheel designs in 19- and 20-inch formats. Tyres with higher sidewalls are said to create more ground clearance and enhanced comfort on rough roads.
The All-Terrain also features a three-part bumper at the rear with the top part painted in body colour and the lower part in grained black plastic along with load sill protection and an underbody guard electroplated in silver-chrome.
The interior includes aluminium-carbon look trim that is exclusive to the All-Terrain, stainless steel sports pedals and floor mats with All-Terrain lettering. The equipment is based on the AVANTGARDE trim, while EXCLUSIVE and designo features are available as options [UK details are to be confirmed]. The new model has the same load capability as the regular E-Class estate, including the rear seat cargo position and a standard 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat back.
The All-Terrain will be launched as an E 220 d 4MATIC (194 hp) with the newly developed four-cylinder diesel engine, to be followed a short time later by a six-cylinder diesel-engined variant. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 8 seconds while the top speed is 144 mph. Both models come with the new 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission as standard.
DYNAMIC SELECT is also fitted as standard, enabling five driving modes to be selected with different engine, transmission, ESP and steering characteristics. A special model-specific feature is the All-Terrain driving mode – derived from the GLE – which offers settings for off-road driving.
Selecting the All-Terrain driving mode raises the chassis via the air suspension by +20 mm up to a speed of 35 km/h with the thresholds for ESP, active yaw control and acceleration skid control (ASR) adjusted accordingly. A special indicator in the vehicle display shows the steering angle, the vehicle level (position of the air suspension), the angle of slope, the angle of inclination, the accelerator/brake position and a compass.
The air suspension enables the selection of three levels from 0 to +35 mm with the highest being selectable manually with the level button on the centre console. The E-Class All-Terrain is 29 millimetres higher than the regular E-Class Estate – 14 mm of which is due to the larger tyres and 15 mm to the normal driving level of the air suspension. The ground clearance is from 121 to 156 mm.
The first All-Terrain E-Class cars will arrive in the UK from spring 2017. Pricing and specification will be announced early next year.