As the best-selling model in the history of the Mercedes-Benz family, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has delivered more than 16 million units worldwide. Now, the all-new Mercedes-Benz Long Wheelbase E-Class (hereinafter referred to as the new Long Wheelbase E-Class) officially opened pre-orders at last month's Guangzhou Auto Show.
Recently, Mercedes-Benz's new long-wheelbase E-Class Technology Day was held in Beijing, and the horse-drawn carriage city was invited to experience the "benchmark" strength of this luxury executive-class car. We won't go into too much detail about the appearance, after all, it is a matter of the benevolent and the wise, today we will peel off its coat and look at its core.
A number of China-specific configurations have been added
It is not difficult to see from the name of the model that it has been lengthened again. Those who have seen the current long-wheelbase E-Class will know that its space does not disappoint, and that the new generation has been improved to a certain extent.
The wheelbase of the all-new long-wheelbase E-Class has been extended by 133 mm from the standard wheelbase E-Class to 3,094 mm, which is 15 mm longer than the previous generation of long-wheelbase E-Class. The length of the new car is 5092mm, which makes its axle-to-length ratio reach 6076%。In addition, the vehicle is equipped with a long-wheelbase exclusive C-pillar triangular window derived from Mai**, which not only brings better privacy, but also shows dignity in design.
As the world's largest market for Mercedes-Benz, China's importance is self-evident. Therefore, in addition to the longer wheelbase, in order to further meet the needs of Chinese consumers, the new long-wheelbase E-class car is also equipped with more than 10 China-exclusive rear luxury comfort configurations, such as 36-degree rear electric adjustable seats, rear seat extended seat cushions, electric adjustable rear seat leg rests and velvet luxury rear headrests with neck heating and other functions, it is not difficult to see that Mercedes-Benz is indeed very attentive to the Chinese market.
Smart and luxurious are inextricably linked
In this era, the definition of luxury has long been different, and the new long-wheelbase E-class can be called "king bomb" in the new performance of the car. It is the first Mercedes-Benz model equipped with the third-generation MBUX intelligent human-computer interaction system, and it is also the first model in the luxury brand to be equipped with the Qualcomm 8295 intelligent cockpit chip, with excellent software and hardware, thus bringing a better intelligent cockpit experience.
For example, the newly upgraded "Mind Reading Voice Assistant" has accurate recognition and fast response, and supports wake-up-free and colloquial language and multi-instruction recognition in all scenarios. Specific to the scene: when you feel very hot in the car, you just have to say "it's too hot", and the system will automatically lower the temperature of the air conditioner, which is very user-friendly.
At the same time, the new long-wheelbase E-class is equipped with Mercedes-Benz's first L2+ navigation assistance system, which covers high-speed and urban expressway sections, and has the ability to achieve high-speed point-to-point navigation assisted driving, with functions such as automatic lane change, automatic distance away from large vehicles, and automatic entry and exit ramps.
Safety is still the bottom line of luxury
No matter how times change, safety remains the yardstick that defines a luxury brand. In terms of safety, the new long-wheelbase E-Class can be said to have done everything in the box. Through the use of advanced steel-aluminum hybrid body, it further enhances the collapse energy absorption and rigid protection performance of the safety body.
The new long-wheelbase E-Class adheres to the same global standards in terms of body materials, manufacturing processes and safety quality. The collision bearing area of the body-in-white, as well as some body covering parts such as engine cover, door panel and trunk lid, are all made of aviation-grade extruded aluminum and die-cast aluminum, which not only realizes lightweight, but also ensures collision energy absorption and collision force transmissionThe body-in-white frame structure, floor and side wall collision zone are made of steel of different strengths, and the proportion of high-strength steel is more than 77%, including 20% ultra-high-strength steel, to achieve high-strength safety protection performance.
In addition, the new long-wheelbase E-class has been additionally strengthened for the body characteristics of long-wheelbase models, thickened materials in the rear floor and rear side doors, and optimized the structure of the rear anti-collision beam with high-strength steel and unique crash bearing design, so as to increase safety and upgrade luxury. The use of a large number of aluminium parts lays the foundation for the overall weight reduction of the new long-wheelbase E-Class.
In terms of the protection of drivers and passengers in the car, the new long-wheelbase E-class is equipped with 13 airbags as standard, and the number and type of airbags are a new high for E-class cars, providing more comprehensive protection for passengers.
Of course, no matter how perfect the protection measures are, it is empty talk without experiencing real crash tests. Mercedes-Benz conducts up to 900 crash tests a year, with each new car undergoing 15,000 crash** simulations and 150 real-car crash tests before it goes on sale. During the development stage, the new long-wheelbase E-Class has added more than 50 crash tests for the long wheelbase and Chinese road conditions, including rear pillar collision and 80 km/h rear collision tests, all of which meet the high internal standards of Mercedes-Benz.
Ma said:
To sum up, the new long wheelbase E-class has changed really much, and the maturity and stability of autonomous driving technology and the improvement of human-computer interaction, coupled with the adherence to the bottom line of safety, are bound to allow consumers to experience a different "luxury" in terms of driving experience.
When a market gradually stabilizes and feels a little boring, it takes a shot in the arm to activate the market and make the market full of freshness and vitality, and the new long-wheelbase E-Class will become the leader of the luxury executive class sedan.