Mercedes-Benz is going to launch a long wheelbase variant of the E-Class in India on 2 June. Called the E 220 d, this is the second long wheelbase variant of the luxury saloon to be launched in India after the E 350 d.
Globally, the E 220 d is powered by a 1950cc four-cylinder diesel engine delivering 191bhp and 400Nm of torque. If Mercedes-Benz decides to launch the E 220 d with this same engine, then it will mark the debut of this new 2.0-litre powertrain in the Indian market. If not, then it will be the 2143cc four-cylinder mill that will drive the India-spec car. This unit delivers 168bhp and 400Nm of torque. While the new 2.0-litre mill gets a nine-speed gearbox, the 2.2-litre mill relies on a seven-speed unit. The power is sent to the rear wheels.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz launched the new E-Class in two trims, of which, only the E 350 d was available in a long wheelbase avatar. As of now, India and China are the only two markets where the long wheelbase version of the E-Class is sold. It seems like the company has received a good response for E 350 d, encouraging them to launch a lower-spec variant. Like the regular E-Class, the E 220 d long wheelbase will be locally assembled at the company’s facility in Pune. It will compete against the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6, Volvo S90, Jaguar XF and the Lexus ES 300h.
