In a confusing time in the automotive industry, Mercedes is also currently at a point in time that is not an easy crossroads, against the background of the slowing growth in sales of electric cars. You can already hear a decline in the far-reaching statements that, starting in 2030, no more vehicles will be built with internal combustion, to those that present a more pragmatic approach - some would say - and in which the range of models will include a variety of drive types. And for those who think this sounds like the easy solution, think again, in the case of Mercedes, where the families of electric models are separated from those that are not by completely different branding, this is about stretching the envelope in terms of the planning, development and production of the cars as well as issues of taxation due to the emission of pollutants and more.
In Israel, the transition to electricity is very fast and does not spare the luxury market, according to the importer's data in 2023 26% of its sales were of electric cars, compared to 18% in the entire market and very close to 24% in the market in the first quarter of 2024. Also 80% of the customers of Those trams were brand new customers. In the worlds of the saloon cars in Mercedes, the market share of the EQE, the electric equivalent of the E-class has only reached a third if you add the total deliveries of the two models. Now the importer is launching the new generation of those responsible for the traditional customer segment, the new E-Class.
The growth in dimensions includes an addition of 1.5 cm to the overall length to 4.95 meters from end to end and 2.2 cm to the wheelbase which now stands at 2.96 meters, really close to that of the luxury category until not long ago. From this point of view, by the way, the importer estimates that the switch to E-Class customers from the S Class, which is now imported only with the long wheelbase, will continue to be even more expensive.
Other updates include new trim levels and more equipped than before. When premium will be that of the entry version, above it platinum and each of them will be able to match an AMG line package. The premium trim level includes, among other things, a panoramic roof, 18-inch rims, electric steering and heating for the front seats, a 14.4-inch multimedia screen with an updated generation of the Mercedes operating system, a 12.3-inch dashboard, a windshield display that includes augmented reality for the navigation system, Apple compatibility And Android, vacuum closing for the doors and safety equipment that includes adaptive cruise control, automatic forward and reverse braking, vehicle warning in a "dead zone" including lane crossing prevention, lane deviation correction and the PRE SAFE systems that prepare the passenger compartment in case of an accident.
The Platinum finish level will add massage and ventilation to the front seats, heating for both the chair and the armrests in the doors and the central console, the rims increase to 19 inches, air shocks, rear steering, a third screen located in front of the passenger measuring 12.3 inches, a Burmester audio system and more. The AMG package includes interior and exterior design additions, AMG rims with a diameter of 18 or 19 inches depending on the trim level, a truncated steering wheel covered in Nappa leather, an improved braking system and adaptive dampers.
The drive is entrusted with two power units that will be offered as standard and one as a special order. The base version of the E200 is equipped by the manufacturer with a supercharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 204 horses and 32.6 kg. Q. Above it is the plug-in version, the E300e, also with a 2.0-liter supercharged gasoline engine, but this time with electric boost for a total power of 313 horses and 56 kg.
The performance is shortened to 6.4 seconds and a maximum 236 km/h. The electric system with a 25.4 kWh battery can cover a declared 100 km. It supports AC charging and the charging time is 2 hours. The E450 engine will be available On special order, there it is a 3.0 liter inline six configuration with 381 hp and 51 kgm. Acceleration is shortened to 4.5 seconds and the maximum speed is 250 km/h electronically limited. The drive here is double, unlike the regular versions that have rear drive. The E53 version with 612 hp will go into production during the year.
There was a certain surprise in the area of prices, not that these amounts are equal to any soul, but compared to the prices of the outgoing model and in light of the experience in escalating prices in the local market, it must be said that the increase in prices here was not as wild as we are used to, certainly not in relation to the levels of finish and technology.
For example, the price of the 200 version, which is NIS 539,000, is cheaper than the version of the 200 in the outgoing generation, which was NIS 580,000 in the "Addition" trim level. In the case of the E300e, the price of the premium version, which is NIS 639,000, is only NIS 10,000 more expensive than the price of the same trim level in the outgoing generation.
According to brand manager Yaniv Biton, he predicts that the distribution of sales will be such that the 300 versions will cover about 65% of all deliveries. He also attributes the moderate increase in the cost of working with the manufacturer and his understanding that Israel, as a heavily taxed market, affected by exchange rates and subject to high shipping costs, will not be able to maintain competitiveness and attractiveness if the model becomes abnormally expensive.
But we can and should also add that the generous profit margins of the luxury brands also "help" quite a bit in the recession of rising prices. In the local market, the E-Class will continue to cross paths with its old rival, the BMW 5 Series, which also recently landed here in its new generation, as well as against older competitors such as the Audi A6, whose signs of age are already very evident, and for audiences willing to try something different from the German hegemony Even against impressive, ambitious and cheaper young competitors like the Genesis G80.