Mercedes-Benz's New Steering Wheel Can Punish You If You Don't Hold It Right

Mercedes-Benz will debut a new steering wheel on the 2020 E-Class that will, among other things, force you to hold it properly.

The 2020 version of Mercedes-Benz’s mid-sized sedan will now have the ability to detect if your hands are off the wheel. Sensors located at the front and back of the wheel rim can sense if it’s being held. If not, it can trigger the various driver assist systems; lazy finger trip drivers, beware.

The new tiller reduces mechanical buttons thanks to the adoption of capacitive buttons. It’s a further development of the Touch Control buttons seen in the current E-Class. Mercedes-Benz says the tech has been tested to work even in extreme temperatures, with the buttons designed to work in temperatures that’ll burn the skin (over 100 degrees Celsius).

The 2020 E-Class will also benefit from various steering wheel types—Sport, Luxury, and Supersport. Regardless, Mercedes-Benz says “it’s the most beautiful steering wheel they’ve ever built.” As for the size, the German automaker has opted for fixed sizes for their wheels from 370 to 380 mm in diameter, 29 mm wide, and 42 to 4 mm deep.

This is How the 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Looks Like as an "SUV"

It can’t be helped. If you want to sell a wagon, you’d have to add some cladding to it and call it an SUV. The refreshed Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the latest to join the bandwagon with the E-Class All-Terrain which is now confirmed to go on sale outside of Europe.

Basically an E-Class wagon, the E-Class All-Terrain gets styling that makes it “visually similar to SUV models.” With that, it adds tougher looking bumpers with faux skid plates along with the aforementioned generous black cladding. It also gets standard all-wheel drive, air suspension, off-road driving modes including hill descent control. And despite the name, it continues to roll on low-profile 19-inch tires.

Like the rest of the refreshed E-Class line, the All-Terrain also sports a new steering wheel along with the newest MBUX infotainment system that, as standard, uses two 10.25-inch screens.

Under the hood, the 2021 E-Class sports electrified powertrains across the board with power ratings from 156 horsepower to 367 horsepower. Whether it’s a 4- or 6-cylinder engine, it’ll come with an integrated starter-generator (ISG) and a 48-volt electrical system. This allows the E-Class to “glide” with the engine switched off making it highly efficient. A 9-speed automatic is paired to all engine variants.

The refreshed E-Class goes on sale in Europe first by May with deliveries to start there by late summer. For the rest of the world, including the Philippines, expect it to become available by late 2020 as a 2021 model.

A Luxury Car Price War Just Made the 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class the Most Affordable One In Its Class

There’s a price war brewing in the premium mid-sized sedan segment. After BMW revealed its less-than-P4-million Made-in-Malaysia 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz is now offering their own cutthroat version of the E-Class.

Technically, this P 3.890-million E-Class was announced last December, but stocks are arriving just now hence Mercedes-Benz’s decision to make some noise about it. Known as the E 180, it comes powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine making a respectable 156 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. Mated to a 9-speed automatic, it has paddle shifters and cruise control as standard equipment.

Fitted with the Avantgarde appearance package, this E 180 dons sportier clothing. It even comes with LED headlights and 18-inch wheels. Inside, it’s fitted with Artico man-made leather.

Despite its affordable pricing, feature-wise, the E 180 Avantgarde has all the luxury basics from the Mercedes Audio 20 Multimedia System with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual zone climate control, power rear sun blinds, and smart keyless entry. The steering wheel also has multi-function touch-sensitive controls, and comes wrapped in Nappa leather.

Safety-wise, it has 7 airbags, ABS with EBD, brake assist, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, and even a reverse camera with active parking assist.

For those who find the E 180 Avantgarde a bit too basic, Mercedes-Benz Philippines is also offering the E 200 Avantgarde at P 4,590,000, and the E 200 AMG at P 5,190,000.

2020 Mercedes-Benz E 180 Avantgarde Specifications

• Engine Displacement: 1,595 cc
• Power Output: 156 horsepower @ 5,300 rpm
• No. of Cylinders: 4 / Inline
• Torque: 250 Nm @ 1,200-4,000 rpm
• 9G-TRONIC including DIRECT SELECT lever and DIRECT SELECT steering wheel gearshift paddles
• 3-point seat belts (5); front height-adjustable, rear with automatic belt height adjustment   
• Active bonnet for pedestrian protection 
• Acceleration skid control (ASR)     
• Active Brake Assist Consisting of proximity and collision warning, on-demand braking assistance plus autonomous braking function for vehicles ahead and crossing pedestrians        
• ADAPTIVE BRAKE with hold function and hill start assist   
• Adaptive brake lights flashing                                             
• Aero windscreen wipers, with one-touch wiper function and rain sensor                            
• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)                         
• Airbags for driver and co-driver
• ASSYST-PLUS maintenance system with maintenance computer
• ATTENTION ASSIST can detect typical symptoms of drowsiness on the basis of driver behaviour and alert the driver to increasing fatigue and inattention
• Belt tensioners with two-stage belt-force limiters for driver and front passenger, single-stage for outer seats
• Brake Assist (BAS) With brake servo assistance when emergency braking is detected
• Crash-responsive pedal unit
• Central locking with interior switch and crash sensor
• Cruise control with SPEEDTRONIC variable speed limiter
• Direct-Steer system with speed-sensitive power assistance and variable steering ratio
• Electronic immobilizer, incorporating ELCODE locking system with infrared remote control 
• Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
• Electric parking brake with automatic release when moving off
• Heated exterior mirrors, electrically adjustable, with spherically curved mirror glass and integral indicator
• Kneebag for the driver
• Power windows (4) with one-touch control and obstruction sensor
• PRE-SAFE system For preventive occupant protection
• Anti-Theft package
• THERMATIC automatic climate control with 2 climate zones, separate temperature adjustment for driver and front passenger
• Tyre pressure loss warning
• Multifunction sports steering wheel in nappa leather black, in a 3-spoke design, 
• DYNAMIC SELECT For selecting one of the transmission modes
• Active Parking Assist with reversing camera
• Underbody protection
• Velour floor mats
• Audio 20 USB Multimedia system with online capability, high-resolution media display 
• Smartphone integration package comprising Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto
• KEYLESS GO Start function
• TIREFIT
• LED High performance headlight
• 45.7 cm (18 inch) alloy wheels 5 dual spoke (R32)
• Electrically folding exterior mirrors
• Electric rear sunblinds
• Keyless GO Comfort package
• Through loading facility
• Avantgarde Exterior Package