New E-Class interior revealed 09 | 12 | 2015
THIS IS THE interior of the next-generation E-Class, which will enter Scottish showrooms next summer following the car's official unveiling at the Detroit Motor Show in January. Key is the adoption of the same digital dashboard technology already in use in the S-Class.
The E-Class — which will go head-to-head with the likes of the Audi A6 , BMW 5 series and Jaguar XF — utilises two 12.3in displays housed within a single unit, which dominates the cabin.
Mercedes’ Comand infotainment software has been significantly upgraded and as result the new system is fully configurable by the driver.
Drivers can choose from three themes — Classic, Sport and Progressive — each of which alters the look of the instrument cluster, as well as adjusting the content shown in each display.
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Content is controlled either from touch-sensitive pads on either side of the steering wheel or from the same touchpad controller already fitted to the majority of the Mercedes-Benz range.
The widescreen set-up will be standard across the range, with the exception of the base Avantgarde which will make do with traditional analogue dials with a colour display and an 8.4in central infotainment screen.
Technology is key to the interior of the new E-Class, with the centre console storage compartment now housing a wireless charging mat for mobile phones and a USB connector for Apple CarPlay functionality. By the time the car goes on sale, it's expected Google’s Android Auto should also be available. The armrest storage compartment also contains a further two USB connections and an SD card slot.
The new E-Class, like the previous generations, will grow in size, to around 4950mm long and 1940mm wide. The estate, which again will offer around 695-litres of stowage, is scheduled to go on-sale towards the end of 2016.
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Jim McGill