Mercedes E-class All-Terrain estate revealed

The high-riding version of Mercedes’ E-class estate, called the E-Class All-Terrain, has been revealed ahead of its public debut at the Paris motor show. The car aims to provide the comfort and convenience of the new E-class with the increased ground clearance and off-road ability of the GLE SUV.

The E-class All-Terrain boasts up to 35mm more ground clearance than the regular E-Class thanks to a revised version of the estate’s optional Air Body Control air suspension. The ride height can be raised from a standard setting of 121mm through an intermediate setting of 141mm and to a highest setting of 156mm at speeds up to 35kph, by pressing a button on the centre console.

The new model also receives a specially tuned version of Mercedes’ 4Matic four-wheel-drive system in combination with standard 19-inch wheels shod with tyres featuring higher sidewalls than the standard E-class. Additionally, a standard Dynamic Select function offers the choice of five different driving modes, including an All-Terrain mode that is described as being specific to the model.

In order to give it a more rugged appearance, the E-class All-Terrain also gets a number of external styling tweaks. This includes a re-profiled, two-tone front bumper, prominent twin blade grille, wheel arch cladding, roof rails, beefed up sills underneath the doors and a two-tone rear bumper with integrated trapezoidal shaped tail pipes.

Inside, the changes are more subtle with exclusive aluminium-carbonfibre look trim, stainless steel pedals and floor mats with All-Terrain identification. Like the GLE, the E-class all-Terrain’s Command infotainment monitor will show the steering angle, suspension level, angle of slope and angle of inclination of the vehicle, as well as the position of the accelerator and brake.

Mercedes will initially launch the new model in international markets with a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder common rail diesel engine which produces 194hp and 400Nm of torque. The engine will be mated to Mercedes’ 9G-Tronic nine-speed torque converter equipped automatic gearbox. The carmaker claims that The E-class All-Terrain can go from 0-100kph in 8sec and has a top speed of 232kph. A more luxurious E 350d version powered by Mercedes’ new 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine will be added to the model’s international line-up in 2017.

The E-Class All-Terrain will rival the likes of the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country.