Following the fetish for long wheelbase cars of Chinese patrons, Mercedes-Benz has premiered the extended wheel-base version of the new E-Class at the Shanghai Auto Show. This unusual craze for spacious legroom has compelled car manufacturers and especially luxury carmakers to introduce LWB versions specifically for the Chinese market. The E-Class has gained 140 mm of increased length and will be 15 mm taller comparatively. This makes the long E-Class measure a total of 5019 mm with a wheelbase of 3014 mm.
The extended versions are known to provide improved drive quality apart from the extra legroom at the rear. Care for a little more space, the E-Class LWB also features electronically controlled front seats which can be operated from the rear seat. The Mercedes E-Class LWB will be launched as a luxury sedan as well as an AMG badged sports sedan. The AMG version will sport front and rear aprons, side skirts and wheels specific to the AMG models. We can safely assume that the classic E-Class three-way split radiator grille with the Mercedes logo on the bonnet will be featured on the regular sedan while the sporty look of the three-pointed star on the radiator grille will be a part of the AMG edition.
Power to the Mercedes E-Class will be delivered by three engine options. The E260L BlueEfficiency will have a 1.8-litre, four-cylinder 201 BHP petrol engine while the E300L will feature a 3.0-litre, six-cylinder, 241 BHP engine. The engine on the E400L gives a power output of 328 BHP and the vehicle on display at the auto show was the E400L Hybrid. Features such as LED headlamps, automatic climate control, electric sunroof and Parktronic will come standard on all models.
Mercedes-Benz will build the extended version of the E-Class at it’s Chinese partner BAIC’s factory in Beijing and will bring forth a rival to the LWB versions of the BMW 3-Series, 5-Series and Audi A6 which are already present in China. Even Porsche didn’t want to be left behind and unveiled the long wheelbase version of their only sedan, Panamera at the Shanghai Auto Show.
