The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class: all-round safety, outstanding comfort and improved fuel consumption

With the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz is presenting the pacemaker when it comes to safety, comfort and environmental compatibility in this market segment. With more than 20 new or further technical developments, this sedan 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 already exemplary long-distance comfort of the 
E-Class even further in the new sedan, including intelligent bodyshell 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 outstanding safety and comfort of the E-Class are matched by its environmental compatibility and economy: the six and eight-cylinder engines have been optimized to deliver improved fuel economy. The diesel powered E 350 BlueTEC now receives the full BlueTEC exhaust aftertreatment with AdBlue injection; the resulting improvements in emissions are impressive as the levels are already below the EU6 limits planned for 2014.

Apart from the engines, the engineers from every development department have worked together to optimise assemblies and components, to save fuel by means of reduced weight, a new form, improved functioning or efficient energy management.

The work done in the wind tunnel was particularly successful, for with a drag coefficient of only 0.25, the new E-Class is the world's most aerodynamically efficient luxury sedan. It betters the already good Cd figure of the preceding model by another four percent, which represents a fuel saving of around 0.25 litres per 100 kilometres when driving at a motorway speed of 130 km/h. The aerodynamics are for example improved by variable fan louvres, which control the airflow to the engine compartment in line with requirements.

The range of engines available for the new E-Class comprises of six and eight-cylinder petrol units with outputs from 268 hp to 507 hp. The E 350 BlueTEC sedan will be powered by a six-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, producing 210 hp and astonishing 400 lb-ft of torque.

The E 350 4MATIC and E 550 4MATIC sedans, as well as the E 350 4MATIC wagon are available with latest 4th generation Mercedes 4MATIC permanent 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, optimized fuel consumption (50% lower vs. previous system) and a weight savings of approximately 20%.

Safety: "Intelligent” partner thanks to the unique combination of assistance and protection systems

For more than 50 years, the sedans in the E-Class family and their predecessors have been acknowledged as trendsetters in the safety field. The new sedan continues this tradition with an unrivalled combination of the very latest assistance and protection system whose concept and development are based on what actually happens during accidents. These technologies make the E-Class an "intelligent partner"who can see, feel, react reflexively in critical situations and if necessary act independently to prevent accidents or mitigate their consequences. With this concept the new Mercedes model not only protects its own occupants, but also contributes decisively to the greater safety of other road users.

The new E-Class is the first automobile in the world whose headlamps adapt to the traffic situation and respond automatically to avoid dazzling other drivers. The Adaptive Main Beam Assistuses a camera on the windshield to recognise oncoming traffic and vehicles moving ahead, and controls the headlamps so that their beams do not reach the other vehicle. This achieves the best possible road illumination in a given situation. The range of the dipped headlamp beams can be extended from 65 to up to 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam.

Mercedes-Benz offers this new system as a light & sight package that includes bi-xenon headlampsand LED daytime driving lights.

The Lane Safety package for the new E-Class includes Blind Spot Assist familiar from the S-Class, and as a new development, Lane Keeping Assist which seeks to prevent the vehicle from leaving the road unintentionally. When the system recognises that the car is drifting from its lane, the driver is prompted to take countersteering action by brief but unmistakable vibrations of the steering wheel. Night View Assist from theS-Class is now also available as an optional extra for the new E-Class. Mercedes-Benz has improved this system with a special pedestrian detection function: as soon as Night View Assist Plus recognises pedestrians ahead of the car, they are highlighted in the onboard display to provide a greatly enhanced warning effect.

Detection of drowsiness based on 70 parameters as standard

Thanks to an innovative technology, the new E-Class has developed a highly sensitive means of monitoring its driver's attention level, and warns him or her of drowsiness in good time. This new ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, which is standard equipment, is equipped with highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor more than 70 different parameters. Observing the driver's steering behaviour has proved to be a particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research by Mercedes engineers have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors that can often be rapidly corrected in characteristic ways. These corrections are recognised by a highly sensitive steering angle sensor.

Automatic emergency braking when a collision is imminent

The well-proven, radar based assistance systems from the S-Class are now also optionally available to E-Class customers. A further development of the long-range radar sensor now has a range of 200 metres (previously 150 metres), and is able to monitor the mid-distance so that dynamic events such as a vehicle ahead suddenly pulling out to overtake can be detected even more effectively. The two wide-angle short-range radar sensors, which have a range of around 30 metres, continue to be included in the system.

The radar-supported systems are able to assist the driver with emergency braking. Their sensors are linked to the Brake Assist PLUS system, which automatically calculates the braking pressure to prevent a collision in critical situations. The driver is given an acoustic and visual warning at the same time. When the brake pedal is depressed, the system immediately activates the calculated level of braking assistance.

If the driver fails to respond to the warnings, the radar system first initiates partial braking action. As a second stage, if there is still no driver response and a collision is unavoidable, emergency braking is initiated. This can considerably lessen the severity of an accident, i.e. the system acts as something like an "electronic crumple zone".

Active hood, eight airbags and PRE-SAFE® as standard

During the course of its development, the new E-Class was subjected to more than 150 high-speed crash tests and a total of more than 17,000 realistic crash simulations. The crumple zone principle invented by the Mercedes safety pioneer Béla Barényi has been continuously improved by the engineers in Sindelfingen. The front-end deformation zoneof theE-Class acts on four independent levels, and is even more effective than before. The increased use of highest-strength steel alloys also helps to ensure that the bodyshell is able to withstand high impact forces. Around 72 percent of all the body panels are made from these high-tech steels – yet another unrivalled figure in passenger car development.

With eight airbags as standard, belt tensioners, belt force limiters, crash-responsive head restraints and ISOFIX child seat attachments, the new E-Class has even more extensive safety features than the preceding model. Another new feature is the active hood, which is a continuation of many years of commitment to pedestrian protection on the part of Mercedes-Benz. It is standard equipment in the new E-Class. In the event of an impact, a system of springs raises the rear section of the hood by 50 millimetres within fractions of a second, thereby increasing the available deformation space. Thanks to the cleverly conceived mechanism, the driver is able to reset the active hood to its normal position without visiting a workshop.

Another standard feature is the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®.In potentially hazardous situations this reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags are able to fulfil their protective function to the full during an impact.

Comfort: Further progresses with adaptive shock absorbers and improved air suspension

As in the safety field, the E-Class has been setting the standards for long-distance comfort in this vehicle class for several decades. Bettering the already high level of the preceding series, Mercedes engineers have achieved further advances with the new sedan – especially where ride, seating and climatic comfort are concerned.

Standard equipment includes a further 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 sedan is stabilised to best effect.

The AIRMATIC air suspension system available for the V8 models has for the first time been combined with an electronically controlled damping system, which processes various sensor signals and controls each wheel independently. In this way Mercedes specialists have achieved significantly better ride comfort while improving handling safety and agility at the same time. The driver is able to select either comfort or sport mode at the touch of a button.

Well-proven seat technology with a new design

Where seat development is concerned, Mercedes-Benz had added a new quality to a well established Mercedes concept, namely padded seat piping– a sophisticated and demanding upholstery technique that is only used by Mercedes-Benz. This involves the insertion of an additional foam filling under the fabric or leather cover, and gives an immediate feeling of comfort and wellbeing when sitting in the car.

Active multicontour seats with massage function from the S-Class

The optional active multicontour front seats include newly developed multicontour seats with comfort head restraints and a two-stage massage function in the backrest that has proven highly successful in the S-Class. Depending on the steering angle, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed, fast-acting piezo-electric valves on the air chambers in the backrests vary their pressure and volume to give the driver and front passenger even better lateral support.

Individual climatisation modes at the touch of a button

Mercedes-Benz has developed a climate control system for the E-Class which not only allows individual temperatures to be set in three zones – for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers – but also offers different "climatisation modes". If this optional THERMOTRONIC system is specified, the occupants of the new E‑Class are able to select "Diffuse", "Medium"or "Focus"at the touch of a button, and adapt the air volume and distribution to their personal preferences without sacrificing the convenience of automatic mode. In standard trim the new E-Class is equipped with the two-zone THERMATIC automatic climate control system.

Design: Distinctive lines flow as an expression of effortless grace and status

In 1995 the E-Class was the first Mercedes model to appear with the highly acclaimed twin-headlamp face– a highly symbolic design feature that still characterises the identity of the E-Class. Nonetheless, the design idiom has remained fluent even for this characteristic styling feature, and has been adapted to suit the self-assured, masculine overall appearance of the sedan. The designers have now reinterpreted these four "eyes"as rectangles, with a direct reference to the interesting geometrical shapes found in cubism. They have the effect of precious gems that have been precisely set into the wings. In the same way, the radiator grille with its three-dimensional chromed surround, dynamic arrow-shape and more upright position underlines the status of the car as the epitome of a business sedan.

A sophisticated interplay between lines and surfaces is one of the hallmarks of today's Mercedes design. Large concave or convex surface areas are structured by taut, clearly defined lines. This design concept has been perfected down to the last detail in the new E-Class. The flank contours become connecting features that influence the entire body design, i.e. not just the side aspects but also the front and rear-end styling.

At the rear this harmonious flow culminates in a new feature, namely a graceful line that follows the rear wheel arches and lends a clear shape to the imposing, muscular contours of the rear wings. Here Mercedes aficionados will recognise styling features reminiscent of the famous "Ponton Mercedes"introduced in 1953, which already emphasised its sovereign character with these striking contours at the time -- a symbolic feature, and at the same time a hallmark of the E-Class that well illustrates how tradition is made to harmonise with the future in this model series.

With typical Mercedes attention to detail, the designers have also given great attention to the interior of the new E-Class, ensuring that every feature appeals in both emotional and functional terms with its form, colour or material. The result is a harmonious whole – an atmosphere in which the car's occupants immediately feel safe and protected, and long journeys can be taken without any feeling of effort or stress. In short: Typically E-Class, welcome home.

Model range: High level of standard appointments and individual variants

Individuality and variety have always been two of the outstanding attributes of the 
E-Class. The new sedan not only provides Mercedes customers with a vast choice of engines and suspension variants, but also dynamic wheel/tire combinations in 18 or 19-inch size, numerous exterior paint finishes, upholstery colours and trims.

The new E-Class sedan is the successor to a Mercedes model that has been successful throughout the world, and of which more than 1.3 million examples have been sold since 2002. In Germany more than 40 percent of all sedans in this market segment have an "E"in their model plate, and in many western European countries this Mercedes model series is the number one in the luxury class.Since 1947, when the Model 170 V was introduced as the direct ancestor to the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz has produced more than ten million sedans belonging to this series. This makes the E-Class easily the world's most successful business sedan.

The new E-Class sedan will appear in the Canadian showrooms in the early fall of 2009. 

For more information, please contact:

JoAnne Caza 416-847-7550 caza@mercedes-benz.ca

Michael Minielly 416-847-7509 minielly@mercedes-benz.ca