OREANDA-NEWS. January 15, 2013.  With new, efficient engines, new assistance systems from the future Mercedes-Benz S-Class and a new design idiom, Mercedes-Benz has comprehensively modernised the E-Class. The new E-Class has made a significant step forward when it comes to efficiency and ecology too. The E 63 AMG sets new standards in terms of performance, dynamism and efficiency, and in the future will also be available with 4MATIC and as an S-Model variant. The new E-Class is available to order with immediate effect, and will be available for collection from Mercedes-Benz dealerships from April 2013.

Mercedes-Benz has revised the Saloon and Estate models of the E-Class more comprehensively than ever before and as such is extending its leading position in the luxury segment even further. Thanks to new technology and some intelligently applied visual retouching, both variants are now being showcased as new cars.

Efficient, powerful new engines

The new E-Class has made a significant step forward when it comes to efficiency and ecology too. This comes courtesy of new, powerful BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines featuring direct injection technology, a new, particularly powerful, torquey and at the same time economical six-cylinder engine, as well as even more efficient diesel engines.

The four-cylinder diesel engines in the E 200 CDI, E 220 CDI and E 250 CDI are now even more economical, thanks among other things to a revised drivetrain. This is also the case for the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, currently the most economical luxury-class saloon, which in addition to the four-cylinder diesel engine also has a 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor.

The V6 diesel engines in the E 300 BlueTEC and E 350 BlueTEC have been revised and fitted with environmentally friendly and efficient BlueTEC technology, such that they currently already meet the future EU6 emissions standard. Virtually all of the E-Class models with diesel engines fall into efficiency class A, while the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is even classified in efficiency class A+.

Overall, a wide choice of powerful petrol and diesel engines with four, six or eight cylinders is available for the E-Class. All are fitted with the ECO start/stop system and combine high performance with exemplary economy. The power output levels range from 135 kW (184 hp) to 430 kW (585 hp) for the petrol engines, and from 100 kW (136 hp) to 185 kW (252 hp) for the diesel engines.(Fuel consumption, combined cycle: 10,5 - 4,1 l/100km, CO2 emissions, combined: 246 - 107 g/km, energy efficiency class: F-A+)*.
New level of safety with intelligent assistance systems

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 significantly reduce the risk of a rear-end collision. Also forming part of the standard equipment is an enhanced ATTENTION ASSIST, which is now able to warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness across a wider speed range.

In addition, also optionally available are a number of assistance systems which are either new or now feature significantly extended functions. These include:

DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist can help to take the burden off the driver when it comes to keeping the vehicle in its lane and also track traffic in tailbacks semi-automatically

for the first time, the Brake Assist system BAS PLUS with Junction Assist is able to detect crossing traffic and pedestrians too, and boost the braking power applied by the driver accordingly

the PRE-SAFE® Brake can detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking to avoid a collision at speeds up to 50 km/h

Adaptive Highbeam Assist Plus allows the main-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the beams' cone of light
The trend-setting technology of the E-Class is also reflected in its design, which thanks to some intelligent changes affords both the Saloon and Estate a new front-end look and new proportions. The front has been completely redesigned and features new headlamps which comprise all functional elements in a single headlamp lens. In addition, for the first time, the E-Class is available with two different front-end designs – the classic, three-dimensional Saloon grille and star on the bonnet, or the sports car radiator.

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. Overall the E-Class looks more elongated and elegant, yet at the same time dynamic.
Mercedes-Benz has also revised the interior of the new E-Class, and harmonised it with the expressive exterior. The interior is dominated by high-quality materials, a two-part trim element which stretches across the entire dashboard, as well as a significantly enhanced level of comfort.
Limitless individual appointments

As ever, there are attractive design packages to visually enhance both the interior and exterior. Furthermore, the new E-Class offers a variety of individualisation options. 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, a Saloon or Estate can be totally classic on the outside, but display a highly modern character on the inside.
The most powerful E-Class is available from AMG

Setting new standards in terms of performance, dynamism and efficiency is the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG in the form of the S-Model, which features a maximum power output of 430 kW (585 hp) and 800 Nm of torque as well as a newly developed, performance-oriented AMG 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The permanent all-wheel drive is also available as an optional extra for the remaining E 63 AMG models, whose output is increasing to 410 kW (557 hp). With the new E 63 AMG, Mercedes-AMG is offering its customers even more individuality, and for the first time also powerful passenger car models with an all-wheel drive system designed to provide exciting driving dynamics.

The new E-Class is available to order with immediate effect. Despite a significant increase in the scope of the specifications, the prices of the individual models have increased only moderately by between one and less than three percent. Individual model variants such as the E 500 and E 500 4MATIC are even more favourably priced than their predecessors. The same also applies to the E 63 AMG, which Mercedes-Benz has set at a price which is even 2.6 percent lower. The entry-level price for the new E-Class is EUR 40,430.25 (incl. VAT) for the E 200 CDI. In the case of the petrol models, prices start at EUR 41,917.75 (incl. VAT) for the E 200, and extend up to EUR 73,393.25 (incl. VAT) for the E 500 4MATIC. Prices for the AMG models range from EUR 103,054 to EUR 118,405 (incl. VAT - prices indicated are for the Saloon models).