Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Overview
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz
Magna Steyr (1996–2009, 4MATIC only)
Production 1993–present
Body and chassis
Class Executive car/Mid-size luxury car
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive/Four-wheel drive
Chronology
Predecessor Mercedes-Benz W124 (1984–1993)

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations produced since 1993. Prior to 1993, Mercedes-Benz offered the same category of car under a non-unified naming structure. The E initially stood for Einspritzmotor (German for fuel injection engine); a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the engine nomenclature (e.g. 230E) in the 1960s. It was not until the launch of the facelifted W124 in 1993 that the E was used as a prefix (i.e., E 220) and the model referred to officially as the E-Class (or E-Klasse). At this time all Mercedes cars used fuel injection and the company felt it was no longer necessary to add this as a distinguishing feature. Due to the E-Class's size and durability, the cars also frequently serve as taxis in European and Asian countries. Mercedes-Benz also offers special-purpose vehicles (e.g., police or ambulance modifications) from the factory.[1]

Predecessors

W120 (1953–1962)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W120

The first modern midsize Mercedes was the W120 'Ponton' 180 of 1953. Sharing its engineering with the R121 190 SL of 1955, the Ponton was a stylish sedan with an four-cylinder engine. A larger-engined W121 190 appeared in 1958.

W110 (1961–1968)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W110

Mercedes added tailfins to both the big S-Class and the new W110 'Fintail' 190 of 1962. In the 1965 230 model a Straight-6 engine appeared for the first time, and the four cylinder engine grew in displacement.

W114, W115 (1968–1976)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W114

The midsize Mercedes was redesigned in 1968 as the W114/W115 'Stroke-8'. This time, the 6-cylinder models (The W114s) were most prevalent, with the W115 line making up the bottom of the company's offerings with four – and five-cylinder power. Diesel engines joined the line-up, as did a coupé body.

W123 (1976–1986)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W123

The popular W123 quickly became a best-seller on its launch in 1976. Especially in diesel powered 200D and 240D (later also the five-cylinder 300D) guises, the cars enhanced the company's reputation for product quality. Over 2.6 million were produced until the end of production in 1986.

Saloon/Sedan, Coupé and Estate body configurations were offered.

W124 (1984–1993)

Main article: Mercedes-Benz W124

The W124 was released in 1984. When the series received a facelift in 1993, the naming structure was rationalised and unified under the "E-Class" brand.

E-Class

First generation (W124; 1993–1995)

W124
Overview
Production 1993–1995
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
2-door coupé
2-door convertible
Main article: Mercedes-Benz W124

The 'E-Class' name first appeared in the USA with the face-lifted W124 for the model year 1994 (the W124 was introduced in the US in 1986 but continued with the older naming convention until 1993, when all Mercedes-Benz models switched to a new system, e.g., E320 instead of 300E). The diesel versions continued to be the fuel economy option over the four and six-cylinder gasoline engines, and the gasoline V8 engines (available after 1992) increased gasoline power outputs further. Four-cylinder gasoline models were not marketed in the United States. The V8 powered sedans/saloons were named 400E/500E from 1992–1993, and E420/E500 after 1993. Likewise, the 3-liter cars (e.g., 'E300') where also re-badged to 'E320' with the new 3.2 litre engines and naming rationalization of 1994. For the diesel models the namechange was less elegant, with the 250D becoming the E250 Diesel for example.

Saloon/Sedan, Coupé, Convertible and Estate body configurations were offered.

From 1991 to early 1995 Mercedes offered a limited production sport version of the W124 sedan, created and assembled with help from Porsche. This was called the 500E (E500 for 1994).

Second generation (W210; 1995–2002)

W210
Overview
Production 1995–2002
Model years 1996–2002
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon

The W210 E-Class, launched in 1995, brought the mid-size Mercedes firmly into the upper end of the luxury market. Though six-cylinder models were still offered, the four-light front end and high prices moved the car upmarket. In September 1999 the W210 E-class was facelifted. This included visual, mechanical and quality improvements over the earlier versions.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year for 1996.

While the W210 sedan was replaced by the W211 in 2002, the wagon version continued to be sold until 2003 until the W211 wagon was available.


Third generation (W211; 2002–2009)

W211
Overview
Production 2002–2009
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
Platform Mercedes-Benz W211
Related Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Launched in 2002, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model. Before North American sales began, the car was shown in the 2002 movie Men in Black II.

The W211-based W219 CLS-Class 4-door coupé was introduced as a niche model in 2005, primarily to attract a younger demographic.

The W211 E-Class was facelifted in June 2006 for the 2007 model year to address quality and technical issues raised by earlier models, Sensotronic was dropped, while Pre-Safe (w/o brake support) was made standard. The largest factory built engine in the E-class range is the E500 (badged E550 in the U.S.) which had its engine size increased from 5 litres to 5.5 litres in 2006 along with the facelift. There is also an AMG model badged E63 AMG and other tuning house installations.

In 2007 the diesel version of the E-Class was rebadged from CDI (Common rail Direct Injection) to Bluetec. While in some of the other Mercedes-Benz diesels urea injection was added, in the W211 E-Class the Bluetec name was only adopted to prevent confusion in the diesel lineup.


Fourth generation (2009–present)

Sedan and wagon (W212)

Mercedes-Benz W212
Overview
Production 2009–present
Body and chassis
Body style 4-door sedan
5-door station wagon
Layout Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The W212 replaced the W211 in 2009. Official photos of the W 212 were leaked on the internet on 9 December 2008 ahead of its 2009 Geneva Motor Show unveiling.[2] Scans of a leaked brochure were posted onto the internet in January 2009, detailing the whole E-Class range including the new E 200 CGI and E 230 CGI with direct injected forced inducted engines.[3] New features include a blind spot monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-safe with Attention Assist and Night View Assist Plus. In the United States the E-class will be priced nearly US$4,600 less than the previous model.[4] The E-class coupe is built in Bremen using the W204 C-class platform.[5] The W212 estate was also announced and goes on sale from November 2009.[6] The W212 cabriolet was announced January 11, 2010 at the North American International Auto Show, for sale March 27, 2010 in Europe and in May 2010 in the United States.[7]

Features on the 2010 version include folding mirrors when locked. Locking can be done on the touch sensors on every door handle and the lock button of the power closing trunk. The colors available for sedan are: Calcite White, Black, Cuprit Brown Metallic, Diamond White BRIGHT Metallic, Indium Grey Metallic, Iridium Silver Metallic, Obsidian Black, Palladium Silver Metallic, Pearl Beige Metallic, Tanzanite Blue Metallic and Tenorite Grey Metallic.

In 2013, the E-Class received a major facelift. The front fascia was heavily restyled, giving it a more aggressive look compared to the pre-facelift model. It incorporates a new, bigger, sharper front grille and a new, singular front lights (marking the end of Mercedes's dual headlamps use) with LED DRLs. An optional all-LED headlamps was also available. The front bumper was made more sharp, with bigger air intakes. In the rear, the car was also given a new, rear LED tail lights. The facelift was meant to make it more appealing to younger customers, who prefer its newer rivals (the BMW 5 Series, Cadillac CTS, Audi A6, and Lexus GS) for their more modern looks. Inside, the car's cabin has been minimally restyled with new A/C and a new, incorporated clock in the center console between the central air vents, like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Most of the engines remained unchanged from the previous model. A new 1.6 litre four-cylinder has been added to the line. The Coupé and Cabrio shared a more aggressive, swifter look than the sedan, with a more svelte front fascia and a sleeker bonnet.

Coupe and convertible (C207)

Mercedes-Benz C207
Overview
Production 2009–present
Body and chassis
Body style 2-door coupé
2-door convertible

The 2009 E-Class Coupé was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and went on sale in May 2009.[8]

The C207 E-Class coupe is based on the W204 series C-Class platform. The C207 E-Class shares its wheelbase with the W204 sedan. The axle tracks are within a tenth of an inch of each other, and are about two inches narrower than the front and rear tracks of the W212 E-Class sedan. While the W212 E-Class sedan is built at the Sindelfingen plant, the E-Class C207 coupe is built in the Bremen plant alongside the W204 C-Class. Mercedes-Benz is defensive about this relationship, clarifying the original reports by reporting that the C207 shares approximately 60 percent of its mechanical components with the W212. However, this includes powertrain and other technologies that are shared with the E-Class but does not alter the fact that the fundamental structure is W204 derived. Motor Trend, along with other media outlets reported that the coupe "feels nothing like the new E-Class sedan" to drive.[9]


The A207 cabriolet was unveiled January 11, 2010 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, USA. It went on sale March 27, 2010 in Europe and in May 2010 in the United States.

Fifth generation (W213; 2016–)

After Mercedes-Benz invested close to €1 billion into the development of the extensive refresh to the 2013 mid-life facelift of W212,[10] most likely the most expensive mid-life facelift in the history of the automobile,[11] the next generation E-Class will be unveiled late 2015.[12] The next generation E-Class is expected to have a design similar to that of the larger W222 S-Class and the smaller W205 C-Class.

Based on the MRA (Mercedes Rear-wheel drive Architecture) platform, like the C-Class, it's also expected to grow in dimensions. On the inside, the vehicle is expected to get a revamped interior, something on the lines of the S-Class, which means inclusion of a new COMAND system, circular AC vents, and an overall bump in plushness.[13] Engine options for the W213 E Class will see a major update, thanks to the switch to inline-6 units from the current V6 engines.[14] The car will also get a hybrid version later in the lifecycle while the E63 would trade its 5.5-liter V8 for the new 4.0-liter V8 (expected in 2017).[15]

According to Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche, Mercedes-Benz's efforts as far as autonomous driving tech will soon be seen on a production car, thus hinting to the next generation E-Class. Zetsche said the tech will revolve mostly around highway driving and parking, probably feature an evolution of the Highway Pilot system demonstrated in the 2014 Future Truck 2025 concept.[16]

Production and sales

Calendar year Production (sedan/estate/coupe/convertible) US sales China sales
2001 44,445[17]
2002 42,598
2003 55,683[18]
2004 58,954
2005 50,383[19]
2006 50,195
2007 48,950[20]
2008 38,576
2009 43,072[21]8,200[22]
2010 323,200 (208,400 / 44,400 / 49,600 / 20,800)[23]60,92240,760[24]
2011 338,386 62,736[25]
2012 310,408 65,171
2013 69,803

References

Notes

  1. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz Deutschland – Sonderfahrzeuge – Taxi – E-Klasse" (in German). Daimler AG. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
  2. ↑ "Mercedes E-Klasse: de eerste foto's". Autoscoops.eu. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  3. ↑ Tan, Paul. "Leaked 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W 212) Brochures with detailed specification sheets". Paultan.org. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  4. ↑ Joseph, Noah (2009-04-05). "Mercedes slashes nearly $5k off the list price of a new E-Class — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  5. ↑ Shunk, Chris (2009-05-19). "2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath? — Autoblog". Autoblog.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  6. ↑ "2010 Mercedes E-Class Estate, Intelligent (E)state-of-the-art". Carthusiast.com. 2009-08-06. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  7. ↑ "2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet World Debut in Detroit". Worldcarfans.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  8. ↑ "The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé: Excitement can be this efficient" (Press release). Daimler AG. 2009-02-17. Retrieved 2009-02-17.
  9. ↑ MacKenzie, Angus (7 July 2009). "First Test: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe". Motor Trend. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  10. ↑ Mihnea Radu. "2014 W212 and 2017 W213 Mercedes E-Class Sedans Spied Together [Video]". autoevolution.
  11. ↑ Alex Oagana. "Mercedes-Benz E 350 W212 Facelift Gets Reviewed by Edmund's". autoevolution.
  12. ↑ Mihnea Radu. "2016 Mercedes E-Class (W213) First Interior Spy Photos: S-CLass Inspiration". autoevolution.
  13. ↑ "2016 Mercedes E Class (W213) rendered". indianautosblog.com.
  14. ↑ "Mercedes E-class (2016) spied: straight sixes are back!". CAR Magazine.
  15. ↑ "Mercedes E-class (2016) six features that transform Merc's new saloon". CAR Magazine.
  16. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz says autonomous technology is imminent, could debut on 2016 E-Class". Worldcarfans.
  17. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History. – Free Online Library". Thefreelibrary.com. 2003-01-03. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  18. ↑ "2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  19. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales". Theautochannel.com. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  20. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent In December 2008 | eMercedesBenz – The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog". eMercedesBenz. 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2010-03-21.
  21. ↑ "Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an... – MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/". New Jersey: Prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  22. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz China Homepage – 2010 News – A Record-Breaking Year: Mercedes-Benz Concludes 2009 with Unprecedented Sales". Mercedes-benz.com.cn. 2010-01-11. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  23. ↑ "Successful Year for Mercedes-Benz: Sales Up 15 Percent Worldwide in 2010 | Daimler > Investor Relations > Capital Market Releases". Daimler. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  24. ↑ "Mercedes-Benz China Homepage – 2011 News – 115% Growth – Mercedes-Benz Remains China's Fastest Growing Premium brand in 2010". Mercedes-benz.com.cn. Retrieved 2011-12-03.
  25. ↑ Mercedes-Benz USA (3 January 2013). "Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales Of 305,072". prnewswire.com.

Bibliography

General

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External links

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