2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Car Review

New E-Class Stakes A Claim for ‘World’s Best’ Title

When Mercedes-Benz launches a new model, the entire automotive world takes notice and with the E-Class lineup, the German company has legitimate credentials to be considered the global leader in the luxury mid-size sedan and coupe segments.

Code-named the W12, the latest E-Class is the ninth generation Mercedes-Benz mid-size model and is available in both sedan or coupe body styles, offers a choice of six engines (petrol and diesel) and comes with an armada of high-tech performance and safety features plus – of course – magnificent luxury.

In a masterstroke, Mercedes-Benz Australia has reduced the pricing of several variants compared to the superseded models and added significantly more equipment. For example the entry-level E220 CDI is priced at $80,900 (nearly $10,000 below its predecessor) and the E 350 is priced at $128,900 (significantly better equipped but still $2,965 below its predecessor). Three of the new sedan models are priced below $100K.

It’s a similar story with the Coupe which starts at $94,500 but carries substantially more standard equipment than the current CLK model lineup. Mercedes-Benz says the new range-topping E500 Coupe ($174,500) is only $18,695 more than the CLK500 but has additional standard equipment to the value of $28,000.

What You Get

For the E-Class sedan, the variants remain ‘Avantgarde’ and ‘Elegance’ with a comprehensive AMG sports package available by order.

Engines comprise three turbo-diesels (E 220 CDI; E 250 CDI and E 350 CDI) and three petrol engines (E 250 CGI; E 350 and E500).

The E-Class coupe is only available in Avantgarde or Avantagarde AMG specification and only one diesel engine – the E250. Petrol engines mirror the sedan - E250, E350 and E500.

The new models boast dramatic new styling with bold contours, rear wheel bulges reminiscent of the classic ‘Ponton Mercedes’ introduced in 1953.

There is a bewildering array of high-tech driver aids including Direct Control, Suspension, Air Suspension, Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Guidance and Attention Assist (a driver drowsiness detection system).

Interiors are absolutely stunning.

And with six wheel/tyre combinations, 12 paint colours and five upholstery colours, E-Class customers have many choices to individualize their vehicles.

Like automakers worldwide, Mercedes-Benz is sharply focused on environmental and fuel-saving technology. As you would expect from the German giant, results are already spectacular – for example the new E-Class sedan and coupe are the most aerodynamic mass production sedan and coupe with drag co-efficients of CD0.25 and CD 0.24 respectively. Mercedes-Benz calls its efforts in this vital area BlueEFFICIENCY and we will be hearing much more about this in the months and years ahead.

Under the Hood

New engines in the sedan range are fitted to the E220 CDI, E 250 CDI and E250 CGI while the V6 turbo-diesel and V6/V8 petrols are improved versions of those fitted to the previous generation E-Class models.

The complete sedan model engine lineup is:

Model	Engine	Capacity	Power	Torque	Consumption	CO2
Turbo-Diesel
E220 CDI	4-cyl	2143cc	125kW	400Nm	6.1l/100kms	162g.km
E250 CDI	4-cyl	2143cc	150kW	500Nm	5.3l/100kms	139g/km
E350CDI	V6	2987cc	170kW	540Nm	6.91l/100kms	182g/km
Petrol
E250CGI	4-cyl	1796cc	150kW	310Nm	7.31l/100kms	174g/km
E350	V6	3498cc	200kW	350Nm	9.4l/100kms	219g/km
E500	V8	5461cc	285kW	530Nm	11.0l/100kms	258g/km

New engines in the coupe range are the turbocharged petrol E250CGI and twin-turbo-diesel E250 CDI. The complete coupe engine range is:

Model	Engine			Capacity		Power	Torque	Consumption	CO2
Turbo-Diesel
E250 CDI		4-cyl		2143cc	150kW		500Nm	5.3l/100kms	158g/km
Petrol
E250 CGI			4-cyl	1796cc	150kW		310Nm	7.0l/100kms	164g/km
E350			V6	3498cc	200kW		350Nm	9.5l/100kms	222g/km
E500			V8	5461cc	285kW		530Nm	11.0l/100km	256g/km

V6 and V8-powered E-Class sedans drive the rear wheels via Mercedes-Benz’ 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with a steering column-mounted selector lever and steering wheel shift paddles. Four cylinder models drive via a five-speed automatic.

In the coupe, gear selection is a normal floor-mounted gear selector and repeats the same principle: 7G-TRONIC for V6 and V8 (petrols) and five-speed automatic for the two four cylinder engines.

The Interior

The interior of the new E-Class is a major change from its predecessor and it is simply stunning.

Sedan models come standard as five seaters but have an optional rear-seat comfort package comprising two individual seats (heated), a rear center console, comfort head restraints and roller sun shade blinds. Coupe models are only available as four seaters featuring two full-size rear seats in the rear (and coupe seats are a more sporting style to sedans).

Multi-contour seats with inflatable air cushions are options.

Typically M-Benz, the superbly-appointed interiors feature electronic front seat adjustments with memories, superb thick leather-wrapped steering wheels and the usual beautiful instrument binnacles and gauges.

Rear seats are outstanding and exit to the rear in the coupe is easy thanks to automatic electronic sliding. Rear seat legroom is segment-typical (which is to say not massive).

Exterior & Styling

Sedans and Coupes have different styling cues – particularly around the front end - but common across both models is a reinterpretation of the famous twin headlight design and a contoured rear end. Overall the new E-Class is much the same size as its predecessor but presents in a much more muscular and athletic stance.

Clearly the coupe takes another styling direction when compared to the CLK – a much more pronounced wedge silhouette.

The 18-inch alloy wheels on V8 models certainly enhance its presence.

Nine airbags are standard.

Boot capacity is one area where the previous E-Class received some criticism and ‘Benz has responded with the new model. Although largely the same size, its shape has been reconfigured and – for example - it can now accommodate four full-size golf bags

On The Road

Our test program started with two coupe models – the range-topping E500 and the E350V6.

The E500 comes standard with the AMG Sports Package and Dynamic Handling package (both optional on other models).

The latter is an electronically controlled damping system with driver-activated sport button (which also activates shorter transmission shift times and sportier steering and accelerator responses). It’s breathtaking technology and the E500 Coupe simply ripped through our mountain test route…in fact it felt pretty good on the comfort setting, perhaps just a tad more floaty around the rear end over mid-corner bumps.

The other Coupe was no slouch, in fact some felt the E350 V6 was slightly better balanced than the E500. Certainly its 200kW/350Nm is more than enough and it shifts smoothly through the seven-speed transmission.

We also tried both V6 and V8 sedan models and they’re also tremendous.

Of the new Driver Aid technologies, we were particularly impressed with Blind Spot Assist (red lights appear in the exterior mirrors when cars are in your blind spot – see the red light and don’t change lanes) and the Lane Keeping Assist which uses a roof-mounted camera to monitor road edges and transmits a sensory clunk via the steering wheel if you’re deviating.

Challenges

It’s a new product offensive coming out of Sindelfingen, Germany for the next 12 months or so. The E-Class is being rolled-out with different models becoming available between now and the end of the year – best to check with your Mercedes-Benz dealer on launch timings for individual models.

Verdict

We’ll need to drive the BMW 5-Series to refresh our memory, but there is no doubt the new E-Class is one of the world’s best. And we take our hats off to Mercedes-Benz for the aggressive pricing strategy.

A value-for-money E-Class? You bet!!

The Competition

Has to be the 5-Series.

Likes

Dynamics, technology, features, value…all brilliant

Dislikes

Model differentiation gets confusing