The slogan for the new E-Class is “welcome home”.

It’s a promise for Mercedes’ owner. Just by getting in and closing the door, you can find a totally different world where the rush of everyday life is replaced by an overriding feeling of comfort and relaxation.

Elegant forms, fine materials, attractive colours, comfortable seats and exquisitely designed details create an atmosphere in which you immediately feel at home.

There is now space for two jumbo suitcases side by side on the flat load-compartment floor or for four golf bags (including clubs).

The overall boot capacity of 540 litres has been maintained despite the far more extensive basic equipment package for the new E-Class.

To ensure a relaxed and fatigue-free ride, the Mercedes engineers have developed another special feature, available in conjunction with the active multicontour seat, in the shape of a massage cushion in the backrest.

It consists of seven air chambers that are inflated and deflated cyclically so that the passengers feel a pleasant rolling movement across their entire back area.

This movement stimulates the musculature, boosts circulation and counteracts premature fatigue.

Further features of the active multicontour seat include a luxury head restraint with moving side bolsters, which also incorporates crash-responsive NECK-PRO technology.

There is a special form of upholstery in which an additional layer of foam is inserted under the fabric or leather cover.

The soft upholstery makes the occupants feel comfortable and relaxed as soon as they take their seats in the car.

The experts attach great importance to first impressions, in this case the impression a person has when sitting in a car seat for the first time.

The dashboard can be ordered with a two-tone design: while the upper section and the centre console are finished in a darker shade, the lighter contrasting colour used for the knee bolster, glove compartment lid and tunnel makes these areas really stand out.

The surface of the dashboard is made from a polyurethane foam skin with additional padding. Mercedes-Benz also offers a dashboard trimmed in high-quality sheeting with fine topstitching for a perfect finishing touch.

This item is part of the Exclusive package, which includes a fine Alcantara trim for the roof lining, sun visors and pillar mouldings.

The dashboard incorporates an illuminated glove compartment with a capacity of around 6.8 litres, which can be cooled by the automatic climate control system. A twelve-volt outlet and a socket for connecting an external audio device are also integrated.

This is likewise the location of the optional media interface for connecting an MP3 player. In the centre of the dashboard, a large colour display in 16:9 format provides information about all the infotainment system functions.

Many aspects of the multicontour seat for the new E-Class have been further enhanced, prompting “Aktion Gesunder Rücken” (a German organisation that promotes back health) to award the seat its coveted seal of approval.

Multicontour means that the occupants are able to adapt the contours of the seat to suit their anatomy or personal preferences. This is made possible by inflatable air chambers beneath the seat padding.

More space equals more comfort was the principle the product planners applied to design a body that is 16 millimetres longer, 10 millimetres lower and 32 millimetres wider than previously.

Measured against the outgoing E-Class model, the wheelbase length has been increased by 20 millimetres to 2874 millimetres, which is a major factor behind the enhanced ride comfort and interior spaciousness.