Wagon West 2021 The Mercedes-Benz E450 all-terrain station wagon enters the U.S. market.

INTELLIGENCE Meet the New Pace Car

Mercedes-Benz confirmed Tuesday that the E-Class All-Terrain off-road station wagon, which has been on sale in Europe for nearly four years, will be introduced in the U.S. for the first time this fall.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain follows similar station wagons sold overseas and adds anti-skid plates, black body cladding, increased wheel height, air suspension and an off-road mode to the E-Class. The Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo XC90 Cross Country take a similar approach. These are necrossovers - a small but growing subgroup aimed at luxury-oriented buyers who are tired of large cars. In our opinion, it's a smart choice.

Opinions aside, the E-Class All-Terrain and the improved E-Class sedan will feature an advanced hybrid inline six-cylinder engine instead of the traditional twin-turbo V6, driver assistance features, an infotainment system and a new engine. The vehicle is equipped with the latest Mercedes technologies, including a plug-in powertrain. According to Mercedes, the All Terrain will be powered by an advanced 3.0-liter MB inline six-cylinder turbo engine with an integrated starter-generator, similar to the one already used in the E53 AMG sedan, coupe and convertible.

This powertrain develops 362 hp in the 2021 E450 All-Terrain and drives all four wheels via a nine-speed automatic transmission. The station wagon comes standard with 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch wheels optional. The infotainment system is represented by dual 12.3-inch screens on the front fascia. Mercedes' voice recognition system can be used to answer questions such as "Mercedes, where is the nearest Whole Foods?" or "Can I get there on a two-wheel drive?". И.

If you really want to hit the pavement, according to MB, the 2021 E450 All Terrain could be equipped with the latest set of driver assistance features, including active lane control, adaptive cruise control, and lane change assist, The Stop and Go Assist feature will help the All Terrain keep the center of the lane at speeds up to 35 mph with a "high level of alertness" that is apparently comparable to BMW's system.

Mercedes has yet to reveal the price of the 2021 E450 station wagon at launch, but it likely won't be cheap. More details will be known closer to the fall, when sales are expected to begin.