- The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-class will feature three new steering wheels with all-new touch-sensitive technology.
- The rims of the steering wheels have a two-zone sensor that can detect if the driver's hands are on the wheel.
- Expect to see the new E-class and Mercedes-AMG E53 in dealers at the end of this year.
Mercedes-Benz will roll out a new touch-sensitive steering wheel this summer on the new 2021 E-class. The company's biggest-selling model series of all time is also refreshed with redesigned exterior styling and new powertrains.
The steering wheel's rim has a two-zone sensor that can tell if the driver's hands are on the steering wheel, meaning movement isn't required to tell the vehicle's driver-assist systems that the car is under control. In addition to the sensors on the outer rim, there are touch-control buttons on the spokes that work with digital signals.
The new steering wheels can be had in three different configurations: Sport, Luxury, and Supersport. The airbag is concealed in a central, spherical housing, and the spokes and rim are different on each version. The Supersport (pictured above) features a flat bottom and a three-spoke design. The Luxury steering wheel (pictured below) features three spokes that Mercedes says are meant to be shaped like the calla lily.
Additional driver-assistance systems such as adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and park assist have also been updated to the latest generation on the new E-class.
The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-class and AMG E53 are set to go on sale at the end of this year, and pricing has yet to be announced.
Sitting on the floor of the library and poring over issues of Car and Driver is one of Connor Hoffman's earliest memories. Choosing to attend the nation's top-ranked journalism school at the University of Missouri and graduating with a magazine writing emphasis was all part of chasing his dream of writing for Car and Driver. When he's not bragging about Mizzou having the best journalism program in the country, he's probably on a rant about Toyota trucks.
