DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Benz E-Class All-Terrain confirmed

A high-riding all-wheel drive crossover wagon dubbed All-Terrain will be a surprise addition to the line-up of Mercedes-Benz’s fifth-generation E-Class family this year and is expected on sale in Australia by March next year.

Similar to the Audi allroad quattro in concept and splitting the difference between the standard E-class Estate and the GLE SUV, the All-Terrain is expected to break cover during the new E-Class wagon launch in September, launch in Europe before the end of the year and make its way into Australian dealerships early in 2017.

It will be one of the last of a wave of models to arrive over the next 12 months that is expected to push overall Benz sales in Australian (including commercial vehicles) beyond 40,000 from its 2015 all-time record of 36,374 sales.

Other interesting additions to the line-up confirmed to motoring.com.au overnight in Detroit include:

>> The all-new C-class Cabriolet in August
>> The new C 450 AMG 4MATIC in the final quarter, but updated from current spec with the new Benz 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic
>> The all-new GLC Coupe in the final quarter

The full list of more than 20 additions between now and the end of Q1 2017 is listed at the bottom of this story.

So far only the W213 sedan version of the new-generation E-Class has been revealed at this week’s Detroit auto show, ahead of its European launch in March and its Australian launch, which could slip from June to August.

The orthodox new E-Class Estate will be shown in June for the first time, but Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific seems more likely to focus on the All-Terrain as its wagon choice in Australia.

This is not the first time Benz’s interest in the All-Terrain niche has been reported. Back in June 2015 motoring.com.au quoted senior global Benz exec Matthias Luhrs confirming a C- and/or E-Class ‘allroad’ wagon was under investigation.

In Detroit, with the E-Class version now green-lighted but not publicly revealed, Benz R&D chief and board member Dr Thomas Weber was choosing his words carefully about the expansion of the E-Class line-up into this new niche.

“So there are ideas to stretch the portfolio a little bit yes,” he said. “If there are some other options you named (E-Class All-Terrain) let’s wait and see.”

However, Weber did confirm an extended-wheelbase version of the E-Class sedan for China, where it's expected to be revealed in April, and the eventual renewal of the E-Class coupe and cabriolet.

He also went beyond the E-Class to formally confirm the existence and imminent global launch of the C-class Convertible, which will be on sale in Australia by August.

Benz global marketing and sales chief Ola Kallenius also acknowledged the imperative of creating more niches such as the E-Class All-Terrain concept, albeit without confirming it.

“It could be (a good idea). I wouldn’t rule it out.

“One reason why we have gone from 30 years ago essentially five models to soon 40 models is the individual wish of the customer,” he said. “It has become so much more choice-driven so even if you have over-lapping segment you need to cover them.

“So we have very few white spots on the map there. As long as we generate as a whole incremental volume – which we have over the years – then that works economically.”

Both the C- and E-Class are based on different variations of the same modular MRA rear- and all-wheel drive architecture, which is key to allowing an affordable expansion of the line-up of both models.

Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific Senior Manager — Public Relations, Product and Corporate Communications David McCarthy said the continued roll-out of new and updated vehicles would drive further sales growth.

“I think there is a chance of a new sales record (in 2016),” he said.

“In its first three months our new GLC (compact SUV) has averaged 300 sales per month. I think that is sustainable and could go higher.

“Work that into what we have done already and overall sales could go into mid 30,000s for passenger cars and SUVs. Add in commercials and we could top 40,000.”

McCarthy predicted AMG could climb from around 4000 sales to 4500 in 2016, spurred on by a full year of the new-generation C 63 sedan and coupe and the updated A 45 AMG.

“Maybe this year AMG will top Porsche sales in Australia. We fell only 51 behind in 2015.”

What's coming from Mercedes-Benz over the next 12 months:

January
A-Class facelift

February
CLA facelift

April
C-class Coupe
GLS

May
C 63 Coupe
C 350e plug-in hybrid sedan
S 500e plug-in hybrid sedan

July
SL
SLC

August
C-Class Cabriolet
E-Class sedan
S-Class Cabriolet

Fourth quarter
C 450 AMG 4MATIC
GLC Coupe
GLE 500e

Q1 2017
E-Class All-Terrain
Mercedes-AMG E 63 S sedan
E 450 AMG