Mercedes outs E-Class All-Terrain pricing

MERCEDES-BENZ has priced its upcoming E-Class All-Terrain high-riding wagon from $109,900 before on-road costs, undercutting its closest rival, the $112,855 Audi A6 Allroad by $2955.

For now, the All-Terrain will be offered only in E220d guise, using a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that makes 143kW at 3800rpm and 400Nm from 1600-2800rpm.

It is teamed with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels, with a torque split of 45/55 per cent front/rear.

If sales of the E220d take off, there is the possibility that it could be joined by a more potent E350d version that sports a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 producing 190kW/620Nm, however it would attract a pricetag of about $140,000, making it a tougher sell than the 220d.

The E-Class All-Terrain will roll into showrooms in June and is being introduced to the Australian market in lieu of the regular E-Class Estate, with the car-maker unable to make a business case work in a market where SUVs rule.

To improve its off-road credibility, the All-Terrain gets the Dynamic Select feature which enables five selectable transmission modes, one of which is the GLE-derived All-Terrain mode that is tailored for off-roading.

It uses Mercedes’ Air Body Control air suspension system, and when engaging All-Terrain mode it raises the ride height by 20mm when travelling under 35km/h.

Engaging All-Terrain mode also brings up a special indicator in the vehicle display that shows the steering angle, position of the air suspension, angle of slope and inclination, position of the accelerator and brake, and a compass.

Regardless of driving mode, ride height is increased in the All-Terrain by 29mm over the Estate, with 14mm courtesy of the larger profile tyres and 15mm to the heightened air suspension, while track width is also increased to 1604mm front/1610mm rear.

Dimensions stand at 4947mm long, 1861mm wide and 1497mm tall, with 670 litres of cargo space that expands to 1820L with the 40/20/40 rear seats folded down.

The All-Terrain weighs in at 1920kg, can cover 0-100km/h in eight seconds and sips 5.2 litres of diesel per 100km while emitting 137g/km of carbon dioxide.

Visually, the All-Terrain is differentiated from its Estate sibling by the twin-louvre grille and black-and-silver cladding on the front and rear bumper panel, as well as black cladding on the side sills and wheel arches.

Inside it gets stainless steel sports pedals and floor mats adorned with All-Terrain lettering. The interior trim is based on the Avantgarde trim spec.

Other standard features include leather upholstery, driver assistance package plus, stop-start feature, widescreen cockpit layout, LED headlights, roof rails, underbody protection, and 20-inch alloy wheels.

When it arrives in June it will go up against the Audi A6 Allroad, which sports a 3.0-litre diesel V6, and the Volvo V90 Cross Country, which arrives in Australia at about the same time as the All-Terrain.