Mercedes-Benz->ke187 is appealing to the growing market of luxury sedans in the Chinese market->ke4970 with this stretched version of the E-Class.->ke373 The car, called the E-Class L, is built in China and is exclusively sold there, meaning no other markets see this E-Class limousine.->ke1203

The car shares the same basic design and structure of the standard E-Class, but is lengthened by 5.5 inches for a wheelbase that measures 121.2 inches – 1.7 inches longer than the standard S-Class.->ke359 This directly adds 5.3 inches of extra legroom for the rear seats, basically making the E-Class L a miniature Maybach.->ke52

The Benz also comes with a slew of luxury amenities and comforts, including a folding center armrest for the rear seats that offers wireless phone charging, heated leather, a USB port, and an integrated touch screen controller. Comforts are not lost on front seat occupants either. The driver has use of the dual 12.3-inch display screens, new touch-sensitive controls on the steering wheel, and the infotainment system controller on the center console that recognizes handwriting and characters.

Mercedes has only confirmed a single powertrain for the Chinese E-Class L – the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. This means the car’s designation will be the E200 L.

Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class L.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class L

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class L
  • Engine/Motor: inline-4
  • Horsepower: 181
  • Torque: 221
  • Transmission: nine-speed automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The E-Class L is unmistakably an E-Class, but it does boast some distinctive styling characteristics that make it stand out. First, the C-pillar gets Mercedes’ triangular window treatment seen on other sedans like the S-Class. The roofline also slopes at a lesser angle than the standard E-Class, giving rear passengers more headroom and an easier entry into the car. Of course, the rear doors are longer by more than five inches, adding to both the visual and actual length of the car. There’s also a unique chrome emblem on the D-pillar.

The car carries all the design cues and features as the standard (yet recently updated) 2017 E-Class like the “double eyebrow” design see in the LED daytime running lights. Likewise, the tow versions of LED highlights are available: the standard LED set and the Multibeam LED headlights with 84 individually activated high-performance LEDs.

The front fascia retains the E-Class’ four main openings: the upper grille, the lower center grille, and the two side intakes. A double-bar design on both the upper grille and the two side grilles help give the car extra visual width. Out back, LED taillights are present regardless of which headlight package is ordered. The lower rear fascia is brightened by a lengthy chrome strip that runs between the chrome-tipped exhaust outlets. The horizontal bar is mimicked further up, with a long chrome accent piece running above the license plate.

Mercedes didn’t specify what wheel options are offered, but expect to see several varieties of 20- to 22-inch wheel options.

Interior

The accommodations inside the E-Class L are well appointed with leather coating nearly everything, while wood and metal act as accents. Up front, the dashboard is all E-Class. Despite the added length, the front seats and their surroundings don’t change. This means the driver still has the dual 12.3-inch screens that display both vehicle information and entertainment selections

The wide dashboard features plenty of high-end materials and excellent build quality that continues onto the center console. A myriad of buttons and knobs are complemented by the rotary dial and scribble pad for controlling soft keys within the infotainment system. The car certainly carries a high-tech feel that well-to-do Chinese customers love.

In back, rear seat passengers now enjoy an extra 5.3 inches of additional legroom. There is room for three, but most E-Class L sedans will likely chauffeur two adults back here. The center armrest folds down, making the bench feel more like two executive recliners. Customers can opt for adding a heating element under the armrest’s leather. There’s also an optional wireless cell phone charger and touch screen controller.

The rear seats are also power-operated, giving outboard passengers the ability to recline. Unlike the S-Class Maybach, however, there is no footrest offered here. Likewise, you’ll have to upgrade to the Maybach if you’d like the built-in wine cooler found in the Maybach. Thankfully there’s still Maybach touches within the cabin, including the LED accent lighting with 64 different color options.

The E-Class L is definitely a welcomed middle ground between the standard E-Class and the more opulent S-Class and outrageous S-Class Maybach. It’s too bad Mercedes is restricting the car to the Chinese market.

Drivetrain

Mercedes has yet to divulge much information on the powertrain options within the E-Class L. We do know, however, the car will be available with the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission. In Europe, the four-cylinder is said to produce 181 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. While it’s no AMG, the engine should move the E-Class decently well around the crowded streets of China’s city centers.

While Mercedes has only confirmed the E200, the photos here clearly show an E320 badge on the trunk. That will likely bring a V-6 with upgraded power. Expect the same nine-speed transmission across the board. Also found on the trunk lid is a 4Matic badge, meaning the E-Class L is available with all-wheel drive.

Safety

The 2017 E-Class L comes with all the modern driver assistance features imaginable. They include Active Brake Assist, Attention Assist, and Crosswind Assist. Optionally, the E-Class can be had with Mercedes’ Driving Assistance Package that includes Drive Pilot, the radar-based cruise control with steering assist that operates from 130 mph down to a stop. This is basically a modest version of an autopilot system, which only requires minimal driver input when on long highway commutes. There’s also Remote Parking Pilot, which allows the car to be moved into and out of a parking space remotely with a smartphone app.

Prices

Mercedes has yet to release prices for the E-Class L, but expect there to be a wide range between the entry-level model and the most opulent of examples. We expect prices to start around $70,000 and break well into the $100,000 category with all the options selected.

We’ll bring you more information when Mercedes makes prices known.

Competition

Audi A6L

Audi is only one of the premium brands invading China these days, but its A6L provides a solid competitor to the new Mercedes E-Class L. The A6L comes with a longer wheelbase than the standard A6 and offers more room for rear seat passengers. Upgraded refinements for rear passengers also ensure the utmost comfort.

The car comes powered by a 1.8-liter TFSI turbocharged four-cylinder mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s quattro AWD system. The A6L might not come with all the whiz-bang tech that the new E-Class boasts, but it does offer Audi’s Pre Sense package. The feature alerts the driver of emergency situations and will automatically brake if need be. Added to this is an automatic cruise control system with full stop and go technology. Audi offers no less than eight trim levels for the A6L in China, giving buyers plenty of range to choose from.

Read our full review on the Audi A6 here.

Conclusion

China’s demand for luxury sedans is growing at an exponential rate, giving automakers plenty of reason to cater to the newfound business. Mercedes is certainly not the only one fighting for sales, but its all-new E-Class – coupled with this new E-Class L – will surely attract a large portion of attention. The car’s updated looks, longer wheelbase, (suspected) range of engine options, and long list of high-tech features make for an easy sell.

Sadly the Chinese will be the only people to experience the E-Class L. Not even the Germans will have the chance to buy one, let alone us Americans. Still, we have to trust that Mercedes knows what it’s doing in offering this limo version to a single market.