FX.co ★ The new E-Class All-Terrain

Dynamism and modern luxury unite with superiority and follow the current design idiom. The E-Class All-Terrain will celebrate its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show 2016. Set to challenge models like the Audi A6 Allroad and the also freshly revealed Volvo V90 Cross Country, the new E-Class All-Terrain is basically a lifted version of the wagon bodystyle with flared wheel arches, a different front grille with two fins and of course the company's 4Matic AWD system fitted as standard.

The new E-Class All-Terrain cuts a fine figure thanks to its striking look with powerful flared wheel arches and SUV radiator grille. Thanks to styling elements with an off-road look the All-Terrain has a powerful and robust appearance which also distinguishes it from the classic estate.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz All-Terrain

With 4MATIC all-wheel drive as a standard feature and increased ground clearance thanks to the AIR BODY CONTROL multi-chamber air suspension the All-Terrain is a flexible all-rounder – for unpaved roads, family and leisure time.

The E-Class All-Terrain is 29 millimetres higher than the E-Class Estate – 14 millimetres are ascribed to the tyres with a larger height/width ratio and 15 millimetres to the normal driving level of the air suspension. The ground clearance is 121 to 156 millimetres.

Mercedes-Benz representatives note that the car fits perfectly into the brand concept. The E-Class All-Terrain model, in their view, is designed in a classic style of Mercedes-Benz.

As a standard feature the All-Terrain has DYNAMIC SELECT with five different driving programmes. A model-specific feature is the All-Terrain driving programme, which offers settings for off-road driving and was derived from the GLE.

The market launch will follow in the spring of 2017. The All-Terrain will be launched as an E 220 d 4MATIC (143 kW/194 hp) with the newly developed four-cylinder diesel engine. A short time later a variant with a six-cylinder diesel engine will follow. Both models come with the new9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission as standard.

Three exclusive light-alloy wheel sets with higher sidewalls give the vehicle a confident look, more ground clearance and enhanced comfort on rough roads.

The special features of the interior include a trim part in aluminium-carbon look exclusive to the All-Terrain, stainless steel sports pedals with rubber studs and floor mats with All-Terrain lettering. The equipment of the All-Terrain is based on the AVANTGARDE interior line, EXCLUSIVE and designo appointments are optionally available. The new model boasts all the intelligent load compartment solutions of the E-Class estate such as the rear seat cargo position and folding with a 40:20:40 split as a standard feature. All E-Class innovations relating to safety, comfort and convenience are available.

Selecting the All-Terrain driving programme raises the chassis with the AIR BODY CONTROL by 20 millimetres up to a speed of 35 km/h. The All-Terrain driving programme has a special indicator in the vehicle display. Information displayed there includes the steering angle, the vehicle level, the angle of slope and the angle of inclination, the accelerator/brake position and a compass.