Mercedes has used the IAA motor show in Munich to reveal its new E-Class All-Terrain. It's what you might call the acceptable face of SUVs - actually an estate car, but with four-wheel drive and a little extra ground clearance so it can cope with rugged roads.
Not coming to Ireland, yet
So far, the E-Class All-Terrain hasn't been confirmed for right-hand-drive markets, other than Japan, so don't go getting your hopes up too high. However, here's a look at what we might be missing if you want to start up a petition with your local Mercedes dealer...
Obviously, the All-Terrain gets its own styling, which means chunky bumpers with built-in bash panels, extended wheelarches with black plastic protection and a taller ride height. In fact, thanks to standard-fit air suspension with adaptive dampers, there's an extra 46mm of ride height compared to the standard E-Class Estate.
The suspension also automatically self-levels when you're carrying heavy loads, and drops the car down by 15mm on the motorway to make it more aerodynamic.
The model line-up kicks off with a 195hp 220 d powered by a four-cylinder diesel, and that's joined by the E 450 powered by a 3.0-litre inline-six turbocharged petrol engine making 375hp. Both use mild-hybrid assistance. There's also the choice of the 300 de diesel plug-in hybrid, which gets a potential 100km fully-charged electric range.
Smaller boot for the PHEV
If you go for the hybrid, you lose 155 litres of luggage space from the 615-litre boot, because of how the battery is packaged.
Inside, there's the option of the full-width 'Superscreen' dashboard which adds a screen in front of the passenger seat so they can watch streaming TV or movies while on the go. There's a 360-degree camera system with an off-road mode that can figure out what's under the front of the car for a 'transparent bonnet' effect when off-roading, too.
Other tech includes the ability to use an iPhone or Apple Watch as a digital key, and an ambient lighting system that can pulse along with the stereo - yes, disco lights, people!
The E-Class All-Terrain's infotainment system also allows for third-party apps to be installed, so you can add Angry Birds (still a thing, apparently), TikTok and Zoom. There's a selfie camera integrated into the top of the dash in Superscreen-equipped models so that you can take part in Zoom meetings when you're safely stopped.
Learning software
The software also includes an AI element that learns your regular routines and most-used functions, and highlights those on the screen so you spend less time scrolling through menus looking for the thing you need.
The All-Terrain is also a little more sustainable than before. The seat foam, for example, is made from 'recycled products and renewable raw materials' while for the factory in which the car is made, Mercedes' plant at Sindelfingen in Stuttgart, the "externally sourced electricity comes exclusively from renewable energies and is therefore carbon-free" according to Mercedes.
If Mercedes changes its mind about bringing the E-Class All-Terrain to Ireland, we'll let you know.