2009 Mercedes Benz E Class

With the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is setting the new benchmark in this hotly-contested segment, particularly in terms of safety and comfort, as well as environmental sustainability and economy. The new E-Class is the safest, most comfortable and cleanest E-Class ever. With more than 20 new or further technical developments, this new saloon further consolidates the leading position of Mercedes-Benz in the luxury class. They include trailblazing innovations for safe driving that are available from no other manufacturer worldwide in this combination. Examples include the standard Attention Assist, Adaptive Main Beam Assist and automatic emergency braking, which is activated when there is acute danger of a collision.

Mercedes-Benz has improved the long distance comfort of the E-Class even further, including intelligent body shell technology with up to 30 percent greater rigidity, further improved seats and a newly developed suspension whose shock absorbers automatically adjust to the current driving situation. The optional air suspension now works together with an electronic damping system. The safety and comfort of the E-Class are matched by its environmental compatibility and economy: the four- and six-cylinder engines are direct-injection units, and consume up to 23 percent less fuel than before. The combined NEDC consumption of the new four-cylinder diesel engines is just 5.3 litres per 100kms.

Engines
The range of engines available for the new E-Class comprises four, six and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 100kW to 386 kW. The four-cylinder engines are newly developed direct-injection units, which develop a higher output and torque than the comparable V6 engines of the preceding series despite a smaller displacement. The strategy is to replace large, naturally aspirated engines with turbocharged units which excel with advantages such as lower weight, reduced internal friction and more economical operating characteristics.

Turbodiesel powerplants
With three completely newly developed four-cylinder engines, the E-Class also remains one generation ahead where diesel technology is concerned. These impressive engines feature latest generation common-rail direct injection, fast and precise piezo-electric injectors, improved exhaust gas recirculation and an innovative twin turbocharger, making for fast responsiveness and strong performance characteristics. To express this in figures, the E 250 CDI with 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque develops a 25 percent higher torque than the previous V6 diesel engine, but uses around 23 percent less fuel at only 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption). This corresponds to 139 grams of CO2per kilometre. The new four-cylinder diesel engine also powers the E 220 CDI with 125kW and the E 200 CDI with 100kW, also with a fuel consumption of only 5.3 litres per 100 kms. The top model in the new E-Class diesel range is the six cylinder E 350 CDI with an output of 170kW, which uses 0.5 litres per 100 kms less fuel than the previous E 320 CDI. From (European) autumn 2009 the V6 diesel will also be available as a BlueTEC model with the world's best emission control technology.

Petrol engines
The E 200 CGI and E 250 CGI are equipped with the newly developed four-cylinder direct-injection engine with a displacement of 1.8 litres, turbocharging and variable intake and exhaust camshafts. The E 200 CGI (135kW) is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the ECO start/stop function as standard, and consumes only 6.8 litres of premium petrol per 100 kms (combined NEDC consumption, provisional figure). This equates to 159 grams of CO2 per kilometre. In the E 250 CGI (150kW), which has a five-speed automatic transmission as standard, maximum torque is now 310 Nms, which represents an increase of more than 26 percent over the previous V6 engine. At the same time the NEDC fuel consumption is reduced by over 20 percent to 7.4 litres per 100 kms, equating to 175 grams of CO2 per kilometre (provisional figures). As before, the E 350 CGI with direct petrol injection (215kW) and the top of the line E 500 (285 kW) are included in the range of engine variants in the new E-Class.

Detailed improvements have reduced the fuel consumption of these V6/V8 models by up to 0.6 litres per 100 kms. As a product from Mercedes-AMG, the new high performance E 63 AMG develops 386kW. The V6 and V8-models are equipped with a seven speed automatic transmission and steering wheel mounted selector lever as standard. On request the V6 models E 350 CDI and E 350, as well as the eight-cylinder E 500, are available with latest generation Mercedes all-wheel drive. This system distinguishes itself from previous all-wheel drive technology with greater efficiency, lower weight and more compact construction. These advantages produce noticeably better traction and fuel savings. Displays in the speedometer inform the driver how much fuel is being consumed (per 100 kms), and when they should shift to the next higher gear.

Comfort
The E-Class wants for little in delivering long-distance comfort. There are improvements in ride, seating and climatic comfort. Standard equipment includes an improved suspension with adaptive shock absorbers. These automatically adapt to the current driving situation by reducing the damping forces when driving normally, thereby noticeably improving ride comfort. When taking bends at speed or during rapid evasive action, the system switches to the maximum damping effect so that the saloon is stabilised to best effect. A version with dynamic damping characteristics and a lowered suspension is available as an optional alternative to the standard suspension (standard for the AVANTGARDE line). The air suspension system optionally available for the V6 models (standard in the V8 powered E 500/E 500 4MATIC) has for the first time been combined with an electronically controlled damping system, which processes various sensor signals and controls each wheel independently. The driver is able to select either comfort or sport mode at the touch of a button.

Model range
Individuality and variety have always been two of the attributes of the E-Class. The new saloon not only provides Mercedes customers with a choice of ten engines and three suspension variants, but also two design and equipment lines, 12 wheel / tyre combinations in 16, 17, 18 or 19-inch size, twelve exterior paint finishes and six different seat upholstery materials in up to five colour combinations to suit their individual preferences. The choice of interior trim has been doubled versus the preceding series, with the range now including high gloss exotic wood, open pored wood and aluminium trim. Standard specifications already include 16-inch light alloy wheels in a nine-spoke design, and a four-spoke multi-function steering wheel lined in fine nappa leather with chrome inserts. Also included in the standard equipment is the Audio 20 CD infotainment system with a twin receiver, CD-player, eight loudspeakers and a Bluetooth interface for a mobile phone.

The colour display in the centre of the dashboard can be operated by the driver or front passenger, using the Controller on the centre console. An active multi-contour seat package is also available, and includes newly developed multi-contour seats with comfort head restraints and a two-stage massage function in the backrest that has proven highly successful in the S-Class. The individualisation program for the E-Class is based on two design and equipment lines. The ELEGANCE line lives up to its name with a decidedly elegant, classic appearance. This is in part due to additional features such as a chrome plated radiator grille with four silver painted louvres, 16-inch light-alloy wheels in a ten twin-spoke design, burr walnut trim and stylish ambient lighting with fibre optics that frame the dashboard and door panels. In contrast the AVANTGARDE line shows the E-Class in a decidedly modern and innovative light. This is ensured by additional standard features such as bi-xenon headlamps with the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights, LED technology for all the rear lights, 17-inch light alloy wheels, a special, lowered suspension setup, ambient lighting and the instrument cluster in a sporty tubular design.

This model variant is also distinguishable by its bumper design and a chrome plated radiator grille with three black louvres. In addition to the design and equipment lines, the AMG sports package and the Exclusive package offer more scope for equipping the new E-Class to personal taste. These packages contain high quality features that are mostly not available in isolation. In the AMG sports package they include bumpers and side skirts in an AMG design, sports seats with enhanced lateral support, contrasting decorative seams in the seats and armrests, a three-spoke sports steering wheel with shift paddles, a black roof lining, a lowered sports suspension, perforated disc brakes with the Mercedes logo and 18-inch light-alloy wheels in an AMG design. The Exclusive package includes a wood/leather steering wheel, the roof lining, pillar claddings and sun visors in Alcantara, the seat upholstery, armrest and door panels in nappa leather, an attractively lined dashboard with decorative seams and velour floor mats. Australian pricing and model specifications will be announced closer to the date of release around the middle of the year.

Mercedes-Benz delivers 1.5 million E-Class Sedans and Estates
Mercedes-Benz has delivered 1.5 million units of the current E-Class series to customers since the model's market launch six years ago. "The current E-Class and its predecessor models have been the ‘heart' of Mercedes-Benz for more than 60 years now," says Dr. Klaus Maier, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing Mercedes-Benz Cars. "With its typical brand attributes that include safety, comfort, innovation, economy and quality, the E-Class has delighted around 12 million customers worldwide across eight model generations. A total of 1,270,000 sedans from the current E-Class series have been delivered worldwide since the model was launched in 2002, while 230,000 customers have opted for the station wagon version. The most important markets for the E-Class are Germany and the U.S., each of which accounts for approximately 25 percent of total sales. Australian sales of the current model E-Class have totalled more than 13,200 since its local introduction in August 2002.

Globally, the most popular E-Class engine versions are the E 220 CDI and E350, each of which attracts ten percent of all E-Class customers. Some 40 percent of all customers select a diesel-powered vehicle. In 2007 innovative BlueTEC diesel technology was launched for the first time in a passenger car in Europe — in the E 300 BlueTEC. This European introduction was preceded by the launch of the E320 BlueTEC in the U.S. in October 2006. With BlueTEC, Mercedes-Benz has greatly reduced diesel emissions and compliance with the EU5 emission standard. BlueTEC technology has thus made the diesel engine one of the cleanest and most efficient drive systems in the world. In 2006, the E-Class was put to the test during the longest long-distance diesel endurance test in automobile history: 36 E-Class cars went on a trans-continental marathon, with each vehicle driven approximately 14,000 kilometres from Paris to Beijing over 26 days. In this endurance test under extreme conditions, the E Class clearly demonstrated its reliability, fuel economy and performance.