India was the first right-hand drive market globally to get the Mercedes-Benz E-Class long wheelbase (LWB) and the automaker is all set to bring the model back in the LWB next year. Ahead of its official debut later in the year, the new-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB has been leaked in China. Our neighbour gets the left-hand drive version, of course, but expect the proportions to be the same when the India-spec model arrives.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class LWB is far more proportionate in appearance with the added length cleverly masked between the wheels. The wheelbase itself is now 15 mm longer than the outgoing E-Class LWB. Overall, the extended wheelbase version is 143 mm longer than the standard E-Class, while the wheelbase has grown a healthy 133 mm as well.
This translates to even better legroom at the rear. The new E-Class LWB is also expected to be slightly taller, which should make ingress and egress relatively easier for occupants. The sixth-gen E-Class LWB will not get any notable visual cues barring the long wheelbase. That said, the China-spec models will get the L suffix added to the variant badge that will denote this is the roomier version of the sedan.
Mercedes-Benz will carry over all other features that debuted on the new-gen E-Class earlier this year including the new MBUX Superscreen with a single-panel housing for the infotainment system and co-driver display. The instrument console is digital as well. The model also comes with ADAS and AI tech as part of the upgrades.
China, much like India, likes its legroom, which is why it’s more common to see LWB versions of standard cars in the market. The E-Class is Mercedes-Benz India’s bestseller and the automaker certainly got the first-mover advantage when compared to offerings like the BMW 5 Series, Volvo S90, Audi A6, Lexus ES, and the Jaguar XF.
The new-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class will arrive in India next year and it will be the LWB version that will be on sale here. Expect the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel, and 3.0-litre diesel engines to be carried over, albeit tweaked to the latest regulations. Mercedes will also bring the AMG-specced E 53 and E 63 performance sedans to the market but expect these to be full imports and will arrive with the standard wheelbase.
