Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate extend its position in the luxury segment

Mercedes-Benz has revised the model series of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class more comprehensively than ever before to make the latest technological advances available in practice early. This is why it even uses advanced developments from the future S-Class. In addition, the new E-Class offers a considerably sharpened design with a cultivated, elegantly sporty look and significantly enhanced comfort, high-quality appointments, efficiency, and driving pleasure. As a result, the E-Class is continuing to consolidate its leading position in the luxury class.

According to Dr. Joachim Schmidt, a Board Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars, responsible for Sales and Marketing: "With the new E-Class, we are setting down clear markers in safety, design, and efficiency. It brings lots of technical innovations to the road and is, without a doubt, the best E-Class ever. This is also reflected in its design and lovingly revised interior. As a result, it brings a breath of fresh air to the luxury class. Therefore, the " E " stands for the leading position in this demanding segment."

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class features a new front-end design as well as new proportions through intelligent changes. When it came to the modifications, the designers followed the new Mercedes design idiom and reinterpreted the classical design values of the brand using the existing basis. The result is a superior and refined, sporty appearance.

The front has been completely revised with new headlamps comprising all functional elements with a single headlamp lens. Flowing light elements within the headlamps help ensure that the "four-eyed" look, typical of the E-Class, has been graphically retained. In terms of light and sight, the E-Class sets a measuring bar: The dipped beam as well as the daytime headlamps, are fitted with partial LED lights as standard, while full LED headlamps are available for the first time in this class as an option.

For the first time, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is available with two different front-end designs: in the standard version, the basic variant and ELEGANCE equipment line are combined with the classic Saloon grille with 3-louver look and star on the bonnet. The AVANTGARDE line, meanwhile, incorporates the sports car radiator with a central star and as such offers an independent front-end look with a sporty emphasis.

The bonnet and front bumper have also been completely redesigned too. With its flowing lines, the bonnet follows the new design idiom smoothly and very straightforwardly. The bumper, which boasts a new shape and is free of all light functions, has a modern appearance and, along with the wing design of its spoiler lip, discreetly underscores the sporty credentials of the E-Class.

Dynamic, elegant proportions

A new feature line and a repositioned three-dimensional trim strip give both the Saloon and Estate models new, visually exciting proportions. The feature line runs below the structure line from the rear door through to the tail light. Visually this benefits the vehicle in terms of length. It underscores the side trim, which has been shifted downwards. Overall the E-Class looks more elongated and elegant, yet at the same time both dynamic and composed.

Broad, distinctive rear end

At the rear, the lights and bumper have been revised. The new horizontally structured LED tail lights with a new two-tone look emphasize the width and feature a characteristic night design.

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has also been visibly reworked and harmonized with the expressive exterior. High-quality materials and refined, subdivided areas with precise joints and sharp curves underscore the high-quality overall impression of the generous interior.

A new feature is a two-part trim that stretches across the entire dashboard. It can be selected in a wood or aluminum look, irrespective of the equipment line. Also new are the 3-tube instrument cluster, the trapezoid-shaped, high-gloss framed display in the head unit with the flat-frame look, the air vents' design, and an analog clock between the two central air vents.

The redesigned center console characterizes the harmonious interior without a selector lever and a new multifunction steering wheel with a DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles in conjunction with automatic transmission.

As ever, there are attractive design packages to enhance both the interior and exterior visually. In addition to the basic appointments, there is also a choice of ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE equipment lines - with the latter highlighting the sporty character of the Saloon and Estate models in particular.

Furthermore, the new E-Class offers a variety of individualization options, currently unique in this class. Irrespective of the chosen equipment line, all appointment options remain available. As such, each vehicle can be individually tailored to ensure that it is unlike any other. For example, an E-Class Saloon or Estate can be totally classic on the outside but display a highly modern character on the inside.

"Intelligent drive" with new assistance systems

What started with PRE-SAFE®and continued with DISTRONIC PLUS has resulted in a new dimension of motoring at Mercedes-Benz: comfort and safety are merged into one. Mercedes-Benz refers to this as "intelligent drive". In the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, a host of new or optimized systems from the future S-Class celebrate their world premiere, making motoring more comfortable and safer.

New, state-of-the-art sensors and appropriate algorithms form the basis for all this. Mercedes-Benz has made a major step forward with introducing the Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera. Just like the Mono Multi-Purpose Camera fitted previously, it is positioned behind the windscreen in the vicinity of the rear-view mirror. However, this camera features two "eyes" set at an angle of 45 degrees and with an overall range of 500 meters that produce a three-dimensional view of the area up to around 50 meters in front of the vehicle. In this way, the stereo camera provides data for processing by various systems. Intelligent algorithms evaluate this three-dimensional visual information in order to detect and carry out a classification, both spatially and in terms of their movement, of vehicles that are driving ahead, oncoming or crossing, as well as pedestrians and a variety of traffic signs within a large field of vision.

At the same time, Mercedes-Benz is also introducing enhanced versions of the multistage radar sensor system along with the Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera.

As standard, both the Saloon and Estate models are fitted with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive brake assist systems. It helps to reduce the risk of a rear-end collision significantly. Also forming part of the standard equipment is ATTENTION ASSIST, which can now warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness across a wider speed range, and also inform the driver about his level of fatigue and the amount of driving time which has elapsed since the last break. It also offers an adjustable sensitivity level.

Both the Mercedes E-Class Saloon and Estate are available with a particularly broad range of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines. All are fitted with ECO start/stop system and are highly efficient.

A new element is the expansion of the BlueDIRECT petrol engine family with the addition of a four-cylinder petrol engine with spray-guided direct injection, based on the same trend-setting technology used in the latest generation of six and eight-cylinder engines from Mercedes-Benz. Its technology package includes fast-acting piezo injectors for multiple injection, quick multi-spark ignition, turbocharging, fully variable camshaft adjustment on the inlet and exhaust side, as well as a controlled oil pump.

New developments for the four-cylinder engine include the first dynamic balancer with full anti-friction bearings to be used in a petrol engine as well as a switchable water pump.

The engine also sees the world's first use of the stratified lean burn process in combination with exhaust-gas turbocharging and external high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. As a result the E-Class achieves a combined optimum consumption figure of 5.8 litres per 100 km (corresponding to 135 g/km CO2), and is therefore the only vehicle in this class to achieve efficiency class A. In addition, the new BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines already meet the EU6 standard which will apply from 2015.

Also making up the BlueDIRECT petrol engine range are the familiar V6 and V8 engines. A new addition is the six-cylinder engine, which is being offered for the first time as the E 400 with biturbo drive. With its performance potential and enormously high torque levels at low engine speeds, this engine sets new standards in the six-cylinder sector and meets the EU6 emissions level.

All BlueDIRECT petrol engines of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class combine spontaneous response and exemplary power delivery with the highest levels of efficiency and best-in-class emissions performance.

Powerful diesel engines in the best efficiency class

Some of the diesel models of the E-Class are available as BlueTEC models fitted with the established SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology and as such meet the EU6 emissions standard.

The comprehensive engine range is supplemented with the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. It combines the four-cylinder diesel engine with an electric motor, thereby producing a system output of 170 kW (231 hp) and 750 Nm of torque. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID consumes 4.1 l/100 km and produces CO2 emissions of 107 g/km. As such it occupies the leading position among the most economical models in the upper medium-size category.

Transmissions for a dynamic and economical driving style

Mercedes-Benz will also offer two transmissions for the E-Class in the future: a 6-speed manual transmission with high ease of shifting and short shift travel and the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever and DIRECT SELECT shift paddles. This latest stage of evolution of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS provides significant efficiency and ease of maintenance advantages.

A new feature is the short-term M mode. The benefit of this: if the driver has shifted up or down manually, the transmission independently switches back to automatic, fuel-efficient shift mode after a set period.

Traction and driving stability can also be improved in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class with the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system - particularly in difficult road conditions.

All suspension variants feature outstanding sensitivity and ride characteristics and help ensure high handling safety.

All of the models of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class family will in future be fitted with an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard. This combines the speed-dependent power assistance of speed-sensitive steering with a variable ratio across the steering angle range. The rack and pinion steering gear is controlled on-demand, contributing to efficiency.

The new E-Class is already fitted with a comprehensive series of high-quality appointments as standard. The new optional highlights, meanwhile, include HANDS-FREE ACCESS. This enables the boot lid to be opened and closed without actual physical contact by simply holding your foot beneath the bumper, and is therefore extremely convenient when loading and unloading the vehicle.

A modern range of infotainment systems helps keep the driver up to date while on the road in terms of what is happening worldwide or in the office. The systems also enable music to be enjoyed or also optionally offer powerful navigation solutions as well as an internet connection. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon and Estate both come as standard with the Audio 20 CD Radio. It features a twin tuner and mp3-capable CD player, and a USB connection in the center armrest. The TFT color display measures 14.7 cm diagonally. Bluetooth®-capable devices can also be connected, and SMS text messages can be displayed.

Optionally the Audio 20 CD can be combined with a six-disc CD changer as well as the reasonably-priced, entry-level Becker®MAP PILOT navigation solution, which can also be retrofitted.

Alternatively, Mercedes-Benz offers the COMAND Online multimedia system for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class with a 17.8 cm high-resolution color display, internet connection, hard-disc navigation and emergency call feature, which can also be combined with a six-disc DVD changer. COMAND Online provides internet access enabling customers to surf the web while the car is stationary or call up a Mercedes-Benz app, whose particularly fast page loading and simple operation make it suitable for use while driving. Integrated apps include Google™ Local Search and Weather and the facility for downloading a route that has previously been configured on a PC using Google Maps and transmitted to the car. In addition, apps for Google™ Streetview, as well as Google™ Panoramio and other apps, are also available.