Mercedes-Benz Introduces E350 Sedan And Wagon
New-Generation V6 Engine Provides More Power, Better Fuel Economy
The award-winning Mercedes-Benz E-Class line will soon feature the new 2006-model E350 sedan and wagon, both powered by a new-generation 3.5-litre V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower – a 20 percent increase over the 3.2-litre engine. The 2006 E350 sedan and wagon will replace the previous E320 models and join the rest of the 2005 E-Class line in dealership showrooms.
The New-Generation E350 Engine
The 3.5-litre V6 features four valves per cylinder, double-overhead camshafts and variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust valves. This powerplant represents the first time Mercedes-Benz has used double-overhead camshaft technology on its V6 engines.
One of the most powerful engines for its size, the 3.5-litre all-aluminium V6 produces 268 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, with maximum torque available from 2,400 rpm all the way up to 5,000 rpm. At only 1,500 rpm, the new V6 already develops 87 percent of its maximum torque.
Variable valve timing requires separate camshafts for the intake and exhaust. Valve timing is controlled by electro-hydraulic vane-type actuators on the end of each camshaft that, with the help of integral hydraulic valves, can vary intake and exhaust valve timing through a range of 40 degrees. At low load or part throttle, the exhaust valves remain open for a short time as the intake valves are already opening, creating internal exhaust gas recirculation by allowing exhaust gas to enter the intake ports to reduce exhaust emissions and boost fuel economy.
To boost mid-range torque, this valve overlap is automatically reduced at higher loads, when the throttle is open further, and at mid-range engine speeds. At high engine speeds, the intake valves open and close even later for optimal air flow and volumetric efficiency.
The Long and the Short of It
While variable valve timing gets much of the credit for the engine's broad torque curve, a two-stage intake manifold plays a key role as well. Long spiral intake passages are cast into the super-lightweight magnesium intake manifold, and flaps (one for each cylinder) force intake air to take this relatively long route through the manifold and build up pressure waves, which boost the intake process and improve low- and mid-range torque.
Above about 3,500 rpm, the flaps open, allowing intake air to take a shortcut – a more direct route to the cylinders – for maximum high-speed power and efficiency. The electronic engine control unit determines precisely when the flaps are open and closed.
Tumble Flaps Improve Fuel Efficiency
The new-generation engine is also equipped with tumble flaps in the intake passages near the combustion chamber. The tumble flaps open under part load, improving combustion by creating additional turbulence around the intake valves and in each combustion chamber. During higher engine loads such as full throttle, the tumble flaps are completely recessed in the wall of the intake manifold. Better combustion helps improve engine torque, but the primary purpose of the tumble flaps is to further increase fuel economy, and tests show that the tumble flaps indeed boost fuel mileage by about two percent.
Seven-Speed Automatic Transmission for E350 and E500
The E350 and E500 rear-drive models come equipped with the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission. The seven-speed transmission improves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h by up to 0.3 seconds and allows significantly quicker acceleration in highway passing situations. At the same time, shifting is even smoother than with the previous five-speed.
Using seven gears allows the individual gears to be spaced closer together allowing the engine to run in its most favorable rev range more often. The seven-speed automatic transmission is always able to select the optimum gear for any given situation and offers a larger overall spread between the lowest and highest gear. Selecting from seven gears also means the transmission's electronic control has greater flexibility in adjusting shift points for lower average engine speeds – a clear plus in terms of both reducing fuel consumption and minimizing noise.
When the driver shifts down rapidly through the gears (kickdown), the seven-speed transmission does not always select the individual gears in strict order. Instead, the transmission will skip a particular gear if necessary, switching from seventh gear straight down to fifth, for example, and even from sixth to second, skipping three gears at once.
All 4MATIC sedans and wagons as well as the E320 CDI sedan retain the 5-speed automatic transmission with Touch Shift control.
Sportier Than Ever
An AMG Sport package is available for the rear-wheel drive E350 and all E500 sedans and wagons. The AMG package includes an AMG-design sculpted front air dam and rear apron, dual polished chrome exhaust tips, staggered-width 18-inch (8J x 18 front, 9J x 18 rear) AMG ultra thin-spoke monoblock wheels with high-performance tires in size 245/40 ZR 18 in front and in size 265/35 ZR 18 on the rear axle.
An Appearance Package for the E350 and E500 sedans and wagons includes sculpted side skirts, front and rear aprons, bi-xenon headlights and headlamp washers, blue tinted glass, LED brake lights, and 17-inch sport wheels. Other equipment in the package varies – the E350, for example, gets Airmatic DC air suspension as well as the larger 245/45 R 17 tire size, which are already standard on the E500.
The E-Class Lineup
The current E-Class is the world's most successful luxury car line and represents about 17 percent of total Mercedes-Benz sales in Canada. For much of 2005, the E-Class lineup includes the E320 CDI diesel sedan, the V8-powered E500 sedan and wagon, and the limited-production E55 AMG – all 2005 models – as well as the 2006 E350 sedan and wagon. The E500 features a 5.0-litre 302 hp V8, while the E55 AMG sedan boasts an award-winning supercharged V8 that makes a whopping 469 horsepower!
Better Fuel Economy – Better Performance
Equipped with the latest innovative diesel technology, the E320 CDI boasts 201 hp and 369 lb-ft. of torque, enough to propel the car to 100 km/h on the test track in just 7.0 seconds. With surprisingly good performance, low exhaust emissions, great fuel economy and low noise levels this latest generation of electronically injected CDI engines is changing consumers' dated perceptions about diesel engines.
Like all diesels, the E320 CDI gets great fuel mileage and has increased cruising range over a comparable gasoline-powered car. What's more important, the E320 CDI will do that without sacrificing performance. The E320 CDI gets 8.9/5.9 l/100km for city and highway driving, respectively, while virtually equaling the acceleration of the gasoline V6. Thanks to its CDI electronic fuel injection, even the usual diesel engine sound is muted. From inside the vehicle at idle, the E320 CDI registers just 44 decibels. For comparison: An average doorbell produces about 75 decibels.
CDI diesel technology will help expand the company's already broad product portfolio in the Canadian market. In addition, Mercedes-Benz' pioneering role in modern diesel engine development is likely to play a key role in the company's future products that could include hybrids, advanced piston engines and fuel cells.
Stronger and Safer Than Ever
The E-Class offers the full array of Mercedes-Benz safety technology, including ABS anti-lock brakes with Brake Assist, straight-line traction control ASR and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Innovative safety technology includes the electro-hydraulic braking system from the Mercedes SL roadsters and sophisticated restraint systems employing eight air bags.
Underneath the sleek, elegant E-Class exterior is an exceptionally strong body structure that provides a solid foundation for occupant protection. Mercedes employed a number of techniques to achieve greater strength without adding excess weight. Compared to its predecessor, the body structure of the latest E-Class has larger crumple zones at the front for even better energy absorption in a collision, and government crash tests ratings underline the success of this strategy. While the E-Class has more standard safety and luxury equipment than ever, lightweight materials help keep it within 22-45 kilograms of the previous model.
The E-Class is the first high-volume Mercedes-Benz model to make extensive use of aluminium, which accounts for 10 percent of the car by weight. Aluminium parts include the hood, front fenders, trunk lid, as well as the front subframe and bumper cross members. In comparison to the previous generation the amount of high-strength steel has been nearly doubled, from about 20 percent of vehicle weight to about 37 percent.
Advanced Restraint Systems
All E-Class models come with adaptive dual-stage front air bags, and new crash sensors determine the correct inflation rate of the front air bags. In a less severe impact, only the first stage of the adaptive front air bags deploys, while the inflation of both stages is reserved for more serious collisions. The inflation rate of the front passenger seat air bag is further dependent on the passenger's weight classification, as determined by sensors in the seat. If a front passenger seat occupant is classified as a small child, the sensors in the Occupant Classification System (OCS) automatically prevent deployment of the front passenger air bag.
New crash sensors also help determine the activation of seat belt tensioners. In more severe collisions that exceed the deployment threshold, the seat belt tensioners can remove belt slack sooner. Later in the collision sequence, belt force limiters can reduce peak forces exerted by the seat belt, to reduce chest loads and shoulder injuries. All E-Class models are equipped with a rollover sensor that can deploy the window bags and belt tensioners if it detects an imminent rollover.
Active Cornering Headlamps
Optionally available on the E-Class with bi-xenon headlights is an active cornering headlight system jointly developed by Mercedes-Benz and Hella.
The heart of the system is a microcomputer integrated into the electronic data network of the vehicle, which is supplied with real-time information from the steering-angle and speed sensors. Each bi-xenon module is equipped with its own electronics unit and an electric motor, which turns the light left to right. The active cornering headlights operate in both low and high-beam mode, adjusting their direction in response to the speed of the car and steering angle. While the headlights react quickly to changes in steering wheel angle when the vehicle is moving rapidly, the headlights shift more slowly when the vehicle is moving at lower speeds.
The active-cornering xenon headlights are designed to increase illumination of the road ahead in curves by as much as 90 percent, compared to fixed halogen lights. Active headlamps are available as an option on the E350 sedan and wagon, E500 sedan and wagon, and the E55 AMG sport sedan.
S-Class Derived Dual-Control Air Suspension
The E-Class combines cornering abilities that befit a sports sedan with the superb ride comfort of a luxury car. The double-wishbone front suspension is similar to that of the S-Class, and its patented five-link rear suspension provides unparalleled wheel motion control.
A version of the air suspension from the S-Class, called Airmatic DC (for Dual Control), is standard on the E500 and E55 AMG models, and optional on the E350 models. Airmatic suspension uses sensors that monitor road conditions, driving style and cornering forces to ensure that the system always chooses the best air spring and shock absorber settings. The system can switch between different damping profiles in a fraction of a second, and the driver can also select from four pre-set suspension response programs.
Even Greater Luxury
The E-Class interior features a sweeping dashboard and centre console, soft-touch trim surfaces, elegant wood and chrome trim elements and a full array of power amenities. All E-Class models feature standard four-zone climate control that allows different temperature settings for the rear outboard passengers as well as the driver and front passenger.
The E-Class comes equipped with a long list of standard equipment including power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power windows with one-touch up/down operation and auto-dimming mirrors. A power flip-down panel in the centre console opens to reveal extra storage space or the optional six-disc CD changer.
The standard COMAND display, which can be fitted with an optional DVD-based navigation system, also includes a nine-speaker audio system with surround sound. An optional harman/kardon LOGIC7 system takes high performance audio to a new level with seven-channel digital surround sound, 420 Watts of total output and 12 high-end speakers.
First-Class Seating
Driver and front passenger comfort is assured by standard 10-way power seats, and optional multicontour seats use adjustable air pressure to custom-tailor seat comfort and also feature a massage function. To help to cool the driver and front passenger quickly on hot days, optional active ventilated seats are available, while heated seats and heated steering wheel are optionally available to provide cold-weather comfort. Optional Dynamic Drive seats automatically increase air pressure in the outside seatback bolster during fast cornering.
The E-Class sedans offer a power tilt/slide glass sunroof as standard equipment or a Panorama sunroof as an option. The latter creates the look of an all-glass roof and has a much larger opening than the conventional sunroof. Special glass in the Panorama sunroof filters out excessive sunlight, which can be further reduced by power sunshades.
Several high-tech options can further enhance convenience and safety: The Keyless Go system allows the driver to unlock the car simply by touching the door handle, and to start the car by touching the gearshift knob. The Parktronic parking assistance system uses ultrasound waves to detect obstacles in front of or behind the car, and warns the driver of detected objects.
About Mercedes-Benz Canada
Mercedes-Benz Canada is responsible for the sales, marketing and service of the three brands within the Mercedes Car Group in Canada; Mercedes-Benz, smart, and Maybach. Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Mercedes-Benz Canada employs approximately 910 people in 23 locations across Canada. Through a nationwide network of 19 Mercedes-Benz owned retail operations and 39 authorized dealerships, Mercedes-Benz Canada sold 13,259 vehicles during 2004.
For additional information, visit our media site at www.media.mercedes-benz.ca or contact us at:
JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 caza@mercedes-benz.ca
Arden Nerling 416-847-7556 nerling@mercedes-benz.ca
