The E-Class has been a staple of the Stuttgart firm’s lineup for more than 50 years – from the W115 “Ponton” to the most recent W211 model. The new E-Class aims to marry the solidity and class of earlier models with the technology and driving dynamics cusStyling and interior

Stylistically, the new E-Class is one of those affairs that looks set to polarize opinion. The “four-headlamp face” that emerged with the W210 in the late 1990’s has evolved into a more angular style and frames that signature Mercedes-Benz grille. The bodywork sports a distinctive “spine” that runs the length of the bonnet and bisects the face of the boot, while a mixture of strong character lines on the flanks and smooth surfaces give the car a solid appearance whilst making it look more compact than its imposing presence suggests. The smooth arc of the roof and kicked-up rear section also add a little dynamism to the car’s profile.

Mercedes interiors have come under a great deal of scrutiny as of late due to fiddly control layouts and questionable trim quality. The new E-Class echoes its exterior’s solidity in the cabin; the overall layout being simple and conservative, but with a premium feel to proceedings. The tiered design of the facia is a clear nod to the layout that confronts S-Class drivers but is distinctive enough to differentiate itself from both the company’s flagship and the smaller C-Class.

The sheer face of the facia frees up a great deal of room up front and all of the materials are of good quality. Strip lighting in the facia trim panels and door panels give the cabin a very cosy ambience at night, while an expansive glass roof makes the interior light and airy during the day. The seats are accommodating and supportive, especially so in the case of models specified with the optional multi-contour seats which can hold you in place with electrically-operated bolsters under spirited driving, as well as massage and channel hot/cool air through the back and cushion panels. Space in the rear is plentiful for three passengers, while those only needing to convey two people in the back can specify a dividing section similar to that found in the CLS-Class.

In keeping with its premium placement, the new E-Class plays host to a wealth of innovative comfort and safety features. Cars can be specified with Mercedes’ COMAND APS infotainment system with voice recognition, adaptive headlamps with self-dipping feature, and Distronic Plus radar-activated braking that monitors traffic ahead of the car and sounds a warning buzzer/applies brakes and readies many safety features to prevent or mitigate a collision. The E-Class can also be specified with a lane-departure warning system, a driver awareness system that monitors the driver’s inputs to determine fatigue on long journeys, adaptive brake lamps, a speed sign recognition system (currently being adapted to SA roads), and a night vision system that can recognise and highlight pedestrians and animals in the car’s path.

Click here to read more...

Engines

The local engine lineup will comprise four petrol-engined models and a pair of common rail diesels. The entry-level offering will be the E200 CGI BlueEfficiency – a turbocharged, four-cylinder unit displacing 1,8-litres. This engine develops 135 kW and 270 N.m of torque. Mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission, this engine takes the car from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 8,4 seconds on the way to a 234 km/h top speed. It’s one of Mercedes’ new generation of forced-induction four-cylinder units being introduced across its model range in a bid to improve fuel economy and lower emissions. In the case of the E200 CGI, the claimed fuel economy figure is a relatively frugal 7,1-litres/100 km and CO2 emissions stand at 169 g/km.

Next up is the E300. This model basically plays host to the same 3,0-litre V6 found in the current car mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission. This unit develops 170 kW and 300 N.m of torque, enough to take the car to 100 km/h from standstill in 7,3 seconds and on to a 250 km/h top speed.

The E350 is a ‘homogenous’ direct injection engine which is not the same as the ‘stratified’ direct injection unit, which wears the E350 CGI BlueEfficiency nomenclature. According to MBSA, the benefits of this unit, which is also mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission, are improved fuel consumption with the same power output (200 kW / 350 N.m) as the current 3,5-litre V6.

The range-topping E500 features the company’s tried and tested 5,5-litre V8 powerplant. Mated with a 7-speed automatic transmission, this unit develops 285 kW

and 530 N.m of torque – enough to take the flagship from 0-100 km/h in 5,2 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 250 km/h.

The diesel lineup sees the introduction of a new engine in the E250 CDI BlueEfficiency. This twin-turbocharged common rail diesel unit displaces 2,1-litres and develops 150 kW and 500 N.m of torque. Mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission, this engine helps the E250 CDI reach 100 km/h from standstill in 7,7 seconds and achieve a top speed of 240 km/h whilst returning a claimed 6,2-litres/100 km.

Much like the E300 petrol model, the E350 CDI is nomenclature change for the existing E320 CDI. This 3,0-litre common rail unit is mated with a 7-speed automatic and develops 170 kW and 540 N.m of torque. This model cracks 0-100 km/h in 6,8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 248 km/h whilst returning a claimed 7,1-litres/100 km.

The new E-Class features adaptive shock absorbers that automatically adapt to the current driving situation. This system reduces the damping forces when driving normally to improve ride comfort, and switches to the maximum damping effect under spirited driving. An Air suspension system (optionally available for the V6 models and standard on the) has been combined with an electronically controlled damping system to strike a balance between agility and comfort.

Expect to see the 6- and 8-cylinder petrol-engined models on the local market by July of this year and the E200 CGI and diesels in September.

Look out for a driving impression of the new E-Class in the June 2009 issue of CAR magazine.

Click here to view a launch video of the new E-Class on location in Madrid, Spain.

Original article from Car