Mercedes-Benz has announced prices for its new E-Class Estate, which is sandwiched between the C-Class and S-Class in the manufacturer’s range and competes against the BMW 5-Series Touring, Audi A6 Avant and the upcoming Volvo V90.
The new E-Class Estate is now available to order with prices starting at £37,935 for the 2.0-litre diesel E 220 d SE and £40,430 for the E 220 d AMG Line. Prices for the 3.0-litre diesel E 350 d and the 3.0-litre petrol Mercedes-AMG E 43 will be announced when order books open in October.
A nine-speed automatic gearbox is standard on the E 220 d while entry-level SE models include a Garmin satnav system, an electric tailgate, Agility Control suspension, which adapts to the road surface, Parking Pilot, which can automatically park the car for you, selectable LED interior lighting, heated front seats, a digital radio and 17-inch alloy wheels.
AMG Line trim costs an additional £2,495 and adds a sports bodykit, 19-inch titanium-coloured alloy wheels, leather dashboard trim, black ash wood trim and a three-spoke AMG leather steering wheel.
A number of options are also available including a larger 12.3-inch satnav system, a lane tracking system, which actively keeps you in your lane, adaptive cruise control and an active speed limit system, which can automatically alter the car’s speed so it remains within the speed limit.
Almost identical to its saloon equivalent at the front, the estate’s roofline is heavily defined by the standard fit integrated roof rails, leading back to the steeply tapered rear window.
In spite of its sleek looks, the E-Class wagon promises a class-leading 670 litres of boot space with the seats in place, and 1,820 litres with them down. Should customers wish, the E-Class Estate is one of the only cars capable of swallowing a Europallet. A 40:20:40 split rear seat also comes as standard.
Three engines, low BIK expected from 2.0-litre diesel
There will be two turbodiesel engines available from launch, the E 220 d and the E 350 d. While the latter produces 258bhp and 620Nm of torque from its 3.0-litre diesel V6, the entry-level 2.0-litre version is likely to be the most popular option for British company car drivers.
With claimed economy figures of 67.3mpg on the combined cycle, and CO2 emissions of just 109g/km, the E 220 d should be good for a BIK rate of 21 percent. This is in comparison with a 23 percent rate in the BMW 520d Touring and 22 percent in the Audi A6 Avant 2-litre TDI Ultra. Power and torque in the Mercedes are rated at 194hp and 400Nm respectively, enough to propel the 220 d to 62mph in 7.7 seconds.
Range is another area where the Mercedes excels. With a fuel tank capacity of 73 litres, the E-Class Estate will be capable of a class-leading 1,083 miles between fill-ups according to its combined fuel economy figure of 67.3mpg. Audi’s A6 Avant meanwhile, matches the E-Class Estate’s tank size, yet inferior economy figures means it falls short of the Mercedes’ potential range by 55 miles.
The only petrol engine currently destined for the UK is the 3-litre V6 in the E 43 4Matic, producing 401bhp and 520Nm of torque. Capable of 0-60mph in just 4.7 seconds, the E 43 will likely be the fastest model in the range until the hot AMG E 63 versions are released. All engines come with Mercedes’ nine speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox as standard.
Sound deadening and self-parking tech
Mercedes has carried over a range of tech gadgets from the E-Class saloon, meaning the estate is available with a huge 12.3-inch central screen and digital dials, touchpad controller and voice command technology.
Several safety systems such as Active Brake Assist are fitted as standard, meaning the car will warn the driver of an impending collision, or activate the brakes if deemed necessary. Other optional driving aids are Drive Pilot, allowing drivers to follow the car in front up to 130mph, and Remote Parking Pilot – whereby the car can enter and exit tight parking spots autonomously.
Sound deadening is an area Mercedes has focused on with the E-Class Estate. Engine and transmission mounts have been optimised to reduce noise levels, while sound-deadening seals on the door handles and joints have also been added. There’s also an optional Acoustic Comfort Package, whereby the windscreen and side windows are coated with a background noise-reducing film.
We’ll be amongst the first to drive the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate, so keep an eye out for the full Parkers review later in 2016.
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