2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class range to be slashed for new model next year

The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up will be slashed to one petrol model grade – and one body style – when it arrives in Australia early next year.

Government certification documents seen by Drive show Mercedes-Benz has filed to approve just one version of the new E-Class for sale in Australia so far, the petrol E300.

It is a significant rationalisation from the current model range, which includes up to 10 variants when all three body styles – sedan, coupe and cabriolet – and E200, E300, E350, AMG E53 and AMG E63 specification grades are included.

Even when these are excluded, buyers can currently choose from three non-AMG E-Class sedan variants: E200, E350 and E300e, the lattermost a plug-in hybrid.

The E-Class is the second new-generation Mercedes-Benz to undergo such a dramatic shrinking of its model range following the latest GLC mid-size SUV, which – excluding AMG performance versions – is sold in a single GLC300 model grade in 'wagon' and Coupe body styles.

Prices are yet to be confirmed, however they are expected to increase beyond the $133,370 plus on-road costs of the new E300's most direct predecessor, the E350.

The cheapest model today – the E200 sedan – is priced from $105,569 before on-road costs.

As previously reported, the new E-Class wagon – including its All-Terrain high-riding variation – will once again not be sold in Australia, after the All-Terrain was dropped in 2020, and the regular wagon was axed in 2015 with the predecessor to today's soon-to-be-replaced model.

Meanwhile the E-Class coupe and cabriolet – as well as the C-Class coupe and cabriolet – have been merged into a single model for their latest generations, known as the CLE, which is due in local showrooms in 2024.

High-performance AMG versions of the new E-Class sedan are expected to follow, however there is a chance only a new E53 will be offered – with six-cylinder plug-in hybrid power – without a new E63.

Details of the E300 for Australia are yet to be revealed, however the government documents confirm it will include a 48-volt mild-hybrid system capable of providing a 17kW boost under hard acceleration.

It is not clear if it will be less powerful than the 190kW/400Nm 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine in the E350 announced overseas – or if the E300 is simply the Australian name for the overseas E350.

A range of four-cylinder diesel and six-cylinder petrol engines are offered in Europe – plus a less powerful four-cylinder petrol engine, and various four-cylinder petrol and diesel plug-in hybrids – but none appear to be bound for Australia.

For everything you need to know about the new E-Class – dimensions, interior design, technology and safety features – click here to read our unveiling story published earlier this year.

When asked to confirm the local E-Class model range, a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesperson told Drive: "We can’t confirm details on model variants until launch."