Beijing Motor Show: Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB revealed

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class long wheelbase has been revealed at the Beijing motor show.

Based on the standard E-Class, the Chinese-market-only, long-wheelbase variant has been extended by 140mm and has been treated to interior enhancements to suit the Chinese market. 

The extension of the wheelbase takes the length of the E-Class LWB to 5063mm; 183mm off that of the long-wheelbase S-Class, and just shy of the standard S-Class’s 5116mm. Mercedes claims the LWB model has an extra 134mm of rear leg room.

Unlike the UK version, the Chinese E-Class is offered with a choice of two optional grilles to create two distinct sub-variants: the saloon and the sports saloon.

The sports saloon has a grille-mounted Mercedes badge, while the saloon has its badge on the front of the bonnet.

Mercedes could not comment on how many of Chinese E-Class sales would be in LWB format.

Sources at Mercedes could not specify the extra cost of the long-wheelbase E-Class over the standard model, or how many LWB cars it hopes to sell.

It did, however, point out that the car would be called E200, suggesting it will be powered by a four-cylinder, 1991cc petrol engine.

The engine is coupled to Mercedes’ 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox. Like the standard E-Class, the LWB car features a host of autonomous and safety systems, including AEB and attention assist as standard, as well as optional remote parking and semi-autonomous driving at up to 130kph (80mph) with steering assistance.

The long-wheelbase E-Class will be produced in China, in co-operation with BAIC, Mercedes’ partner in the local market. Both companies operate together as the Beijing Benz Automotive Co. (BBAC).

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