Let’s fast forward to the conclusion of the test of the Mercedes-Benz E300de All Terrain: what a perfect car.
It is all the more important that I point out to you the existence of this version. Mercedes-Benz already launched the first generation E-class All-Terrain in 2017, but it was never a runner in the sales statistics.
What is an All-Terrain?
Mercedes-Benz is the inventor of the automobile, but they also have to steal something from other manufacturers every now and then. For example, Volvo has been offering Cross Country models for years and German competitors have been building Allroad versions of their Avants for two decades.
The E-class All-Terrain is a raised, slightly rougher E-class. The E-Class All-Terrain is equipped as standard with the AIRMATIC single-chamber air suspension. This offers 46 mm more ground clearance and infinitely adjustable damping for the incoming and outgoing stages of the shock absorbers.
The standard recipe for these types of cars also contains some other elements. For the All-Terrain, Mercedes-Benz equips the E-class with wheel arch cladding in matt dark gray and side sill extensions with a decorative strip in high-gloss chrome. At the front and rear, the bumpers have “optical” underride protection in high-gloss chrome, which probably do not do much functionally, but do provide a “robust” appearance.
Hilariously enough, it was apparently possible to have special floor mats with the inscription ‘All-Terrain’ knotted for this version.
Of course, 4MATIC all-wheel drive is standard and there is an ‘Offroad’ driving program. There is an off-road screen and a ‘transparent bonnet’ as part of the 360° camera.
E300de is the ingenious diesel plug-in hybrid
The All-Terrain will not receive all engines from the current modular engine family of Mercedes-Benz Fame (Family of Modular Engines). In addition to the E300de, there is a choice of the E220d with 197 hp / 440 Nm or the wonderful E450 that produces 381 hp / 500 Nm from its six cylinders.
The E300 4MATIC has the well-known four-cylinder diesel with 197 hp / 440 Nm. Of course, diesels are also hyper-clean these days.
The electrical part consists of a 25.4 kWh battery pack, the first EVs also had a battery of this size. The electric range is therefore about 100 km in theory, which in practice easily amounts to 70 km. For many people, that is enough to do the shopping at the weekend or handle their daily commute.
The electric motor has 129 hp and 440 Nm, which is enough to maneuver comfortably through the city. The average Dutch person merges onto the highway at 75 km/h, and the E300de can of course easily do this electrically. If you are in a bit of a hurry, the diesel engine switches on (almost) imperceptibly.
As is often the case, you cannot simply add the power of the electric and combustion engine together. Yet the E300de comes close, because the maximum system power is 313 hp. The sprint to 100 km/h takes 6.9 seconds, the top speed is slightly lower than the E220d All-Terrain (which reaches 220 km/h) and remains stuck at 213 km/h.
Are there any negatives?
A diesel PHEV will soon have an MRB that you will be proud of. In fact, for that money you can also hire your own social assistance worker who will take you everywhere on your back. What I mean to say is that motor vehicle tax in the Netherlands is ridiculously high anyway, especially for diesels, and that this is a tough one.
Killer features
We write Comfort with a capital C. I’ll take my time for this terrible use of language, but it is true. The regular E-class is already fantastically comfortable, a little more ground clearance and none of those stupid flat tires.
Forget SUVs for a little more comfort, seat height and possible off-road properties. The E-class All-Terrain offers plenty of all this, especially in the Netherlands.
Like all E-classes, there are several features you didn’t know you needed. Think of ENERGIZING COMFORT where all systems (including mood lighting and climate control) work together to make the occupants feel comfortable. There’s even a new motion sickness prevention program that can help alleviate front passenger symptoms or delay their onset, reduce their perceived severity and increase overall well-being. Brilliant, although I missed the text: “Don’t look at your phone all the time if you feel nauseous.”
Something your car also doesn’t have is Digital Vent Control. The E-class automatically adjusts the front air vents to a desired ventilation scenario. If you are stubborn, you can also ovulate it by hand.
Alternatives
The Volvo V90 Cross Country is no longer available as a diesel, but you can of course also plug in a petrol PHEV. Whether it is still in the Dutch price list remains to be seen, but the Volvo dealer will in any case have to blow off thick layers of dust from the brochure.
The Audi A6 AllRoad is also not a runner (in the Netherlands). Still, you can’t ignore the bosses that gave the world quattro. For rougher climates or landscapes, the extra ground clearance and all-wheel drive can be seriously useful. Although I immediately think back to the Finnish taxi driver who drove 150,000 km through Lapland. He drove most of the kilometers in an EQE with rear-wheel drive. Explain to me again that we need a diesel with four-wheel drive…
Conclusion Mercedes-Benz All Terrain test
A brilliant car. For city traffic you charge the large battery, for long distances you fill up with diesel. The comfort, space, systems, finish, everything is equally brilliant. The perfect car, I already wrote it.
Comments
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water wet say
Such a beautiful car on the outside and so ugly on the inside. Such a pity.
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brammetjedeb say
Yes? Well, then our tastes differ! I think it’s really beautiful!
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Johanneke say
The e450 will be the first thing I order if I get lucky on the 10th of the month and hit the jackpot. This is the compromise that works out well, unlike the crossover. Great cars.
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fatneck say
According to the RDW: €106,421
WHAT A MONEY!
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Dutchdriftking say
Now the plug-in hybrid (both diesel and petrol) has a 75% rate, then the IPV rate will be the 200% rate that this E-class now faces.
