Mercedes-Benz will add a new model to its India line-up at the end of September – the E-class All-Terrain. This marks the first estate that Mercedes has brought to our market and expands the E-class range to include three body styles – the long-wheelbase sedan (standard model), the standard wheelbase sedan (AMG E 63) and the estate. The brand will also debut its new BS-VI-compliant, 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel motor in the E-class All-Terrain; and the engine will find its way to the C-class facelift, which is due soon after.
At launch, the estate will only be available with this OM654 engine and be badged as the E 220d. It makes 194hp and 400Nm of torque, which is sent to all four wheels (using Mercedes’ 4Matic system) via a 9-speed automatic transmission. The OM654 engine follows in the footsteps of the S 350d’s six-cylinder engine (OM656) by getting a number of modifications to allow the motor to be BS-VI-compliant while running on BS-IV fuel. There are five drive modes on offer including an ‘All-Terrain’ mode and an ‘Individual’ mode.
As the All-Terrain is based on the standard wheelbase version of the E-class rather than the LWB, it is about 116mm shorter in length (at 4,947mm) and has a wheelbase that is 158mm shorter (at 2,939mm). However, the longer rear overhang has helped to liberate 640 litres of boot space (expandable to 1,820 litres with the rear seats folded). The E-class All-Terrain gets 19-inch alloy wheels that suit the beefier design, with plastic cladding on the lower section of the bodywork and bumpers.
On the inside, the estate shares its dashboard design and equipment with the standard E-class and includes the Comand infotainment system, air suspension, a panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting, three-zone climate control and an electrically operated tailgate. However, it does miss out on the seat-recline function and soft pillow headrests available on the sedan.
Expect Mercedes to price the E 220d All-Terrain at Rs 65 lakh (ex-showroom). At this price point, it directly takes on the Volvo V90 Cross Country, priced at Rs 65.31 lakh (ex-showroom, pan-India).
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
