Customers can look forward to a particularly immersive entertainment experience in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
Music, games and streaming content can be experienced in the car with almost all the senses.
Thanks to digital innovations in the interior, the E-Class is now more intelligent, achieving a new dimension of personalisation and interaction.
At the same time, the electronic architecture is more software-driven and less hardware-driven. This forms the basis for more individual updating of the interior systems in the future.
The new E-Class is packed full of interesting and advanced features such as third-party apps optimised for the vehicle for a better user experience.
Until now, apps found their way into the car mainly by being mirrored from the user’s smartphone into the infotainment system.
Apple Car Play or Android Auto are such systems, which allow some functions of the mobile device to be used on the central and passenger display while the car is moving. The software experts at Mercedes-Benz have developed a new compatibility layer that allows the installation of third-party apps.
For example, the driver can use the vehicle’s own selfie and video camera for the collaboration application “Webex” and the video conferencing app “Zoom”[16]. To avoid driver distraction, image transmission is not activated while driving. There is an added advantage: the new software architecture means that apps will find their way into the vehicle much more quickly in future.
A new App Store has been integrated into the Mercedes me Store, with a gradually expanding portfolio of apps. In this way, the E-Class remains up-to-date and can be extensively personalised.
The following apps are part of the portfolio at the launch of the new E-Class:
- “TikTok”
- “Angry Birds” game
- “Webex by Cisco”, cloud-based collaboration solutions
- Video conference system “Zoom”
- “Vivaldi” browser
The entertainment portal ZYNC is also on board. On a user interface on the central and passenger displays (optional), it offers video streaming, on-demand content, interactive experiences, local video programmes, sports, news and much more. More than 30 streaming services from well-known global, regional and local partners are already available, while further partners and channels are continually being integrated.
The in-car calendar also has new features. Compared to the previous version as part of In-Car-Office, it is now even more compatible with public (i.e. non-corporate) calendars.
“A personal Mercedes me ID and agreement to the Terms of Use for the Mercedes me connect services are required to use the services. In addition, the vehicle must be paired with the corresponding user account. Upon expiry of the initial term, the services can be renewed on payment of a fee, provided they are still offered for the corresponding vehicle at that point. First activation of the services is possible within one year from first vehicle registration or commissioning by the customer, whichever comes first. Use of MBUX Entertainment Plus also requires the customer’s own data volume,” says Merc.
Immersive, interactive, intelligent: Smartphone Integration in the new E-Class
Customers can look forward to a particularly immersive entertainment experience in the new E‑Class. Music, games and streaming content can be experienced in the car with almost all the senses. Thanks to digital innovations in the interior, the E-Class is now more intelligent, achieving a new dimension of personalisation and interaction. At the same time, the electronic architecture is more software-driven and less hardware-driven. This forms the basis for more individual updating of the interior systems in the future.
The computing functions of previously separate domains take place in a single processor. Screens and the MBUX infotainment system thus share a new, very powerful central onboard computer. This form of networking improves performance, as the data streams can be transmitted significantly faster.
The Entertainment package (MBUX Entertainment Plus) will be available for the new E-Class. It includes hardware, Mercedes me connect services and a data package from a third-party provider. Depending on the market, a communication module with 5G as the transmission technology is used.
The mobile phone standard 5G makes much faster data rates possible than LTE/UMTS.
The E-Class launch starts with the Saloon model. The first models of the 214 series will arrive at the European dealerships in summer 2023. In the USA, the market launch will take place in autumn 2023.
Music becomes visible: sound visualisation
With the new Active Ambient Lighting with Sound Visualisation, occupants in the new E-Class can experience music with three senses: pieces of music and the sound from films or apps can be heard (with Dolby Atmos technology if desired), felt (by means of sound resonating transducers in the optional Burmester 4D surround sound system) and now also “seen”.
Visualisation takes place on the light strip of the Active Ambient Lighting (optional extra). For the first time, this applies throughout in the E-Class. For example, fast sequences of beats can cause rapid light changes, while flowing rhythms can create softly merging lighting moods.
The entertainment experience for the front passenger is always impressive. On his/her optional screen, the front passenger can watch dynamic content such as TV or video streaming1 even when the driver at the wheel is looking over at them. This is because the display is switchable. The advanced camera-based visual shield function reduces its brightness and thus reduces the risk of distraction for the driver.
