The Mercedes-Benz E Class offers a range of sedans, wagons, couples, and convertibles with luxury equipment and a range of dynamic capabilities. From the base E350s to the massively powerful E63 AMG variants, the E Class range offers a wide mix of utility, performance, efficiency, and style. The E Class competes primarily with the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, and Cadillac's CTS and XTS.
Today's lineup includes the six-cylinder-powered E350 two-door luxury coupe; an E350 cabriolet; an E350 four-door luxury sedan; an E350 wagon; a high-powered E63 AMG performance sedan; an E350 BlueTEC sedan with turbodiesel power; an E400 Hybrid offering over 300 horsepower and 30 mpg highway; and the E550 coupe, E550 sedan, and E550 cabriolet, all with a powerful V-8 engine.
Tracing its roots, if not its name, back to just after World War II, the E Class has established itself as one of the leaders in the large/mid-size luxury segment, competing with cars like the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, and Lexus ES range. Priced between $48,000 and $65,000 base excluding the AMG range, the E Class is competitive in its segment on value as well as features.
See our 2013 Mercedes-Benz E Class review for pricing with options, specifications, and gas mileage ratings
Eight generations of E Class cars have graced the road, starting with the Mercedes 'Ponton' or W120, its internal designation. Built from 1953-1962, this car set the stage for the models to follow, its abundant interior space and mid-size exterior dimensions. Power ramped up over the model run, and a roadster was introduced in 1955. The second generation 'Fintail' or W110, saw the introduction of tail fins, but more importantly, a six-cylinder engine (up from four), front disc brakes and an automatic transmission. Again engine sizes grew, up to 2.3-liters in the 230, as did power and performance. Next came the 'Stroke-8', or W114/W115, which included both four- and six-cylinder engines, a new, elegantly simple exterior design that canned the tailfins, and an all-new chassis. It ran from 1968-1976.
In 1977, the 'Wedge' or W123 hit the streets, bringing a hint of the larger Mercedes 450SEL to the design, along with safety improvements such as a more protected fuel tank location. The W123 was also the first E Class to get fuel injection, then a relatively new technology. When the Wedge ended its run in 1986, the W124 arrived, sporting the 'E' name for the first time. Models were badged with numbers reflecting engine displacement, followed by the letter 'E', i.e. the 300E. In 1994, toward the end of the W123's run, the E was switched to the front of the name, officially creating the E Class. The 'Four-Eyed' W210 followed in 1996, bringing with it the seeds of the next two generations of E Class styling. Safety, performance and size all increased with this generation, which also saw the first high-performance AMG-tuned and branded E Class, the E55 in 1999.
The seventh-generation E Class, the 2003 W211, saw a rounder, more aerodynamic theme introduced to the styling, with a range of V-6 and V-8 engines powering the lineup. A new station wagon was introduced in 2004, and 4Matic all-wheel drive was once again available. The W211 was replaced in 2009 with the W212, which gained sharper, more modern styling, advanced safety features including Night View Assist, Attention Assist, Adaptive Main Beam Assist, seven standard airbags, and automatic emergency braking. A more rigid unibody, up-rated engines, improved fuel efficiency thanks to direct injection, and automatically adjusting shock absorbers all add up to a refined and capable luxury sedan. Coupe, cabriolet, wagon and sedan models are all available, each with a choice between an E350 V-6-powered version or an E550 V-8-powered model.
A range of engine upgrades have refreshed the current E Class lineup. The E350's 3.5-liter V-6 engine delivers 302 horsepower and fuel efficiency in the 21/32 mpg city/highway range. The E550's 4.6-liter V-8 engine generates a stout 402 horsepower, with fuel efficiency in the 20/30 mpg city/highway range. All cars are available with a seven-speed automatic. The E63 AMG's previous 451-horsepower, 6.2-liter V-8 engine has been replaced by a 5.5-liter twin-turbo V-8 rated at 518 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, but is still mated to a seven-speed SpeedShift Plus MCT transmission. All E63 AMG models get a more capable suspension package, while appearance upgrades lend the E63 AMG a more aggressive, distinguished look. Mercedes' 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is available on most models.
A new E400 Hybrid Sport Sedan model also made its debut in 2012 as a 2013 model, featuring a 302-horsepower gasoline V-6 engine paired with a 27-horsepower hybrid unit.
For 2013, the E Class moves forward with no other major mechanical changes, though upgrades to the new mbrace2 infotainment system, a new selection of alloy wheels, and upgraded features and options packages, as well as enhanced standard equipment levels, keep the car fresh until the 2014 model-year E Class arrives with a more thorough refresh.
In 2014, the E Class benefits from myriad changes, including a new nose with cleaner headlamp styling, a new hood, and a choice of grilles--one with the three-pointed star logo, one with simple chrome bars, as Benz does with its C Class. The creases stamped into the rear fenders of the sedan have been wiped clean, made more simple, though coupes retain the distinctive look.
For the 2014 model year, the V-6 and V-8 engines carry over, as does the Hybrid edition. The E350 BlueTEC, however, is retired in favor of the E250 BlueTEC, a four-cylinder turbodiesel that puts out nearly as much power as the outgoing unit, while earning significantly improved fuel economy numbers, Mercedes says. No official EPA numbers are in yet.
AMG models carry over into the new year, with newly standard all-wheel drive and "S" trim that boost power from the twin-turbo V-8 to 577 horsepower.
Among the safety updates are a front-mounted stereo camera system enables three-dimensional imaging of road obstacles and traffic at distances up to 55 yards, with overall system effectiveness stretching out to 550 yards. Together with driver drowsiness detection systems, forward-collision mitigation systems, braking assistance, and several flavors of lane-keeping assist, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E Class is primed to be one of the safest luxury sedans on the road.
The E Class sedan and wagon go on sale in May, with coupes are convertibles to follow in summer. But that's not all the news: in the 2015 model year, the E Class sedan drops its V-8 entirely, in favor of a new twin-turbo V-6 in the new E 400 model. It's due on sale by fall of 2014.
View the original article here
