After the successful launch of fourteen new and refreshed products in India last year, the German auto major Mercedes-Benz is gearing up for a new one under the 2017 model year. Dubbed as E-Class LWB, the model was exclusively designed for the Chinese market as the buyers are there very much keen on more space at the rear. And now, the debut of the car here in the country somewhere indicating towards the same keenness.
Due for February 28th, 2017, the long wheelbase based E-Class will be available in both the petrol and diesel trim options right from the word go. Recently, the automaker has also come introduced Night Edition of A-Class and B-Class that are limited to the 100 units of each. Well, all these launches could be a part of the announcement of adding 25 products to the company's Indian car lineup that earlier made by the Mercedes itself in Roadmap.
Instead of launching the standard W213 E-Class in India, which was displayed at the 2016 Detroit Motor Show, the carmaker is coming up with the W213 based extended wheelbase E-Class. Interestingly, this is the first time when Mercedes-Benz will unveil the LWB model in a right-hand drive version and this will make the company invest a huge amount. Though the E-Class has been the company's best-selling model in India and it may continue the trend with this new model as well, the extra investment can be believed to get recovered within a short span of time.
With information available, the new E-Class LWB has been designed with a whooping length of 5,063 mm and has a wheelbase of 3,079 mm. Both these dimensions are stretched by 140 mm over the standard one. This will make it the longest car in its class and the roomiest as well.
Aesthetically, it will sports the familiar front profile with the ongoing S-Class and the C-Class. Inside, the beautifully crafted dashboard comes equipped with dual 12.3-inch LCD screens for instrumentation and infotainment along with a dial-knob gear selector and some premium touch in terms of upholsteries.
Image Courtesy: Autocar India
With respect to power, the E-Class LWB gets a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine punching out 240 bhp of power with 370 Nm of torque. Also, there is a 3.0-litre, turbocharged, diesel engine churning out 258 bhp of maximum power with 620 Nm of peak torque. Both engines will be mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission.
On the pricing aspects, it is expecting close to INR 65 lakh (Ex-showroom). When launched, the new E-class will take on the likes of Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, and Jaguar XF.