Mercedes-Benz E-Class showcases numerous advanced technologies

Mercedes-Benz E-Class makes world debut in Detroit (Photo: Nadine Filion/Autofocus.ca)

Mercedes-Benz hosted the global reveal of its 10th-generation E-Class sedan at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Aside from the car's elegant styling inside and out, the 2017 model year is a car whose technology Benz says makes it the “most intelligent” mid-size luxury sedan on the market.

The German automaker calls its tech developments the next step toward autonomous driving, with drive-assisting features designed to relieve stress on the driver, but also to demonstrate that, in many ways, the future of car transportation is now.

Key among the new tech is Drive Pilot, which has adaptive cruise control that works at speeds up to 210 km/h; and at up to 130 km/h. The Steering Pilot active steering assist system doesn’t need to rely on road markings to help the driver maintain lane position. Instead, says Mercedes, the car can use surrounding cars and parallel structures to inform steering inputs. Meanwhile, an active lane-change assistant that will help guide the car into an adjacent lane chosen by the driver (with the turn signal).

Evasive steering assist responds to sudden steering movements (such as when the driver swerves to avoid an obstacle) by adding “precisely calculated steering torque to support the driver’s effort.

The E-Class is also the first Benz car to feature the company’s remote parking pilot, which allows a driver to move the car in or out of tight garages and parking spaces from outside the car, by way of a smartphone app. Also new is the use of near-field communication to turn a smartphone into the car’s key.

There’s some pretty wild stuff at play here, but it’s wrapped in new styling that will be familiar to anyone following Mercedes’ other recent styling efforts, like the big S-Class and compact C-Class sedans. The new body is 43mm longer overall, while wheelbase is stretched 65mm.

An optional dual-screen display presents the driver with virtual instruments, and industry-first touch-sensitive steering wheel-mounted infotainment controls designed to encourage the driver to keep their hands on the wheel.

A new nine-speed automatic transmission is standard; the European engine range will be more extensive than North America’s, but a 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 will once again be available in the E 400, along with a four-cylinder turbodiesel in the E 250. We expect the return of the E 300 and V8-powered E 550 models, too. Mercedes mentioned a plug-in hybrid variant pairing a four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a promised 30km of electric-only range, but we’re not positive it’s bound for North America.

The 2017 E-Class will roll into Canadian dealerships later this year.