The market for luxury C-segment cars has always belonged to BBA, no matter how Cadillac and Volvo are chasing behind, they can't sell the same level of BBA, but when the new Chinese car makers start to enter the high-end intelligent electric field, some luxury intelligent electric C-segment cars start to emerge, with the advantage of "new three", and BBA A real confrontation has been formed. Here we will see the competition between two specific models with a budget of 560,000-580,000 yuan, two very extreme examples, one is the Mercedes-Benz E Class 2023 E 300 L Premium Sedan (hereinafter referred to as the Mercedes-Benz E Class), which has always dominated the market with luxury at 556,000 yuan, and the other with a sporty driving control attributes of 578,800 yuan IM L72023 Snake Performance (hereinafter referred to as IM L7).
Mercedes-Benz exterior luxurious, IM L7 exterior sporty
The luxury and comfort of the Mercedes-Benz and the sports driving control of the IM L7 are actually expressed in the appearance of the two cars. Although the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has undergone a facelift, using a new center mesh and bumper with more and, but the appearance of the standing logo still emphasizes its business temperament, including multi-spoke wheels, multi-region chrome strips and so on are a style. Of course, the vehicle also has some age-defying elements, such as its front and rear light clusters, especially the small triangular-shaped taillights, as well as bumper surrounds, etc. will come younger than the texture of the stand. Of course, the 5078/1860/1480mm size data is to take, the wheelbase is 3079mm standard trim body distinction, look very neat.
The L7 is very distinctive, it is not only the combined lightning-shaped headlights that are very individual, but also the spoiler inserts of the deflector, the straight waterfall grid of the lower grille, even its multi-spoke sports wheels, and the tail light bar that is integrated with the spoiler rear wing, etc., all emphasize the distinctive personality. In addition, the vehicle's IM Motorsport brings the performance package, also with Brembo four-piston brake calipers, etc. re-emphasize the sports performance thing. In addition, 5,098/1960/1440mm body dimensions and 3,100mm wheelbase, but also than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class to come slender, and low, wide body effect are pulled full.
The cabin of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is even more businesslike than the exterior. In addition to the new style three-spoke tactile steering wheel, it is mixed up with a large amount of leather, solid wood and striped chrome in the center control, giving the impression that it is very grand, but because the craftsmanship and texture is refined enough, it is a bit old-school, but the design sense is not pulled down because of it. Of course, the special pocket shifter, COMMAND touch panel and power seat adjustment buttons, etc. are all hallmark items in the cabin.
The IM L is relatively simple, with all decorative structures disposed horizontally or vertically across, with the suspension touch screen running in one piece in a suspended style, while the air vents are decorated across the outermost side of the center console, and the gearshift mechanism is covered by the vertical touch controls, with the actual gearshift also being an electronic pocket shifter. As for the sense of design, the shaped racing steering wheel that comes with high performance and the sports wraparound leather seats will enhance the sporting luxury of the cabin.
Is IM better than Mercedes-Benz E-Class in terms of range and intelligence?
On the car side, both models are equipped with intelligent Internet system, and through the car network, car networking and other support, to achieve the Gaode navigation, intelligent voice, remote car control and other functions. Mercedes-Benz E-Class side is dragged by the electronic architecture, dual 12.3-inch touch screen although MBUX, but with 4G network support it is more limited in the car application expansion, the interface UI is also more traditional, only CarPlay/CarLife cell phone connectivity and AR real-world navigation will be its additional complementary advantage.
IM L7 not only has a dual 12.3 + 12.8-inch triple screen, but also a 26.3-inch touch OLED screen to build the actual four-screen linkage, coupled with 5G network + high precision map support, the vehicle's IM OS both in terms of response speed, display clarity, or intelligent expansion have advantages. Especially its external interaction, although no cell phone interconnection, but a large number of multi-ecological applications can almost replace the cell phone, and remote support for lights / steering wheel / seat temperature control, the degree of intelligence is obvious.
In terms of assisted driving, both cars have achieved L2 level assisted driving, but although the Mercedes-Benz E class has panoramic video + full-speed adaptive cruise and even automatic parking, but the higher-order functions are very limited, mainly to follow the cruise and parking assistance; but the smart self L7 side, not only panoramic coverage of 540 degrees + blind spot monitoring, it through IM AD and Nvidia Xavier or optional Nvidia Orin X + dual LIDAR, can achieve including intelligent summoning, valet parking, automatic lane change, access ramps and other high-level intelligent driving operations.
IM L7 has more power than Mercedes-Benz E-Class
In terms of power, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a 2.0T engine with a maximum power of 190kW and peak torque of 370N-m, and with the 9AT transmission, the vehicle is able to break 100 in 6.9 seconds and maintain a WLTC combined fuel consumption of 7.55L/100km; while the IM L7 is a dual-motor layout with a maximum power of 445kW and a maximum torque of 730N-m, with a 3-second zero-hundred acceleration The ability is far from the Mercedes-Benz E-class, and the 615km range can also ensure its practicality.
As for the chassis, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has a rear multi-link independent suspension and is equipped with variable suspension and variable steering ratio technology as standard, so that handling and comfort and stability can be balanced; while the IM L7 has variable suspension in addition to the front double-wishbone + rear multi-link, and the overall active steering and rear axle suspension differential exist at the same time, which will make its handling response more acute and interesting.
Write in the end
Choose luxury and comfort, or choose sports driving control, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the IM L7 comparison is actually not quite typical, for one thing, the urgent need to iterate the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has not yet received a new generation of electronic and electrical architecture and corresponding system features, intelligent technology and IM L7 far away; secondly, IM L7 driving control compared to BMW, Jaguar, these big names is still hardly the top. But then again, the comprehensive performance, range and intelligence achieved by the IM L7 can indeed convince more young consumers, but if they look at the comprehensive comfort of the luxury C-Class, I'm afraid it is still not a rival to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
