DETROIT SHOW: All-new Mercedes E-class revealed

Date: 11 January 2009   |   Author:

The new E-class will put Mercedes into the same low-CO2 ball park as its key BMW and Audi rivals with a 139g/km model more powerful than either of its German competitor's offerings.

The sub-140g/km E-class slots into the same company car tax band as the 136g/km BMW 520d and Audi A6 2.0 TDIe, but those models only offer 177 and 136PS respectively, compared with 204 from the Mercedes.

The new E-class saloon, complete with more distinctive nose and headlamp design, arrives in June, six months ahead of its estate partner. Mercedes claims tweaks under its Blue Efficiency eco banner including aerodynamic work, low rolling-resistance tyres and electronic efficiencies save a further 3mpg in fuel. The new E200 CGI petrol model will also get stop start technology.

Though some engines may not arrive until later this year, the full line up consists of 136PS E200, 170PS E220, 204PS E250 and 350PS E350 diesels, all offering a claimed 53.3mpg apart from the 40.9mpg E350, while the petrol engines run from 184PS E200 through 204PS E250, 292PS E350 and 388PS E500 to the range-topping 525PS E63 AMG. The E250 petrol scrapes just under the new CO2 capital allowance marker of 160g/km at 159g/km.

New technology on the latest E-class will include the company's Adaptive High Beam Assist that uses a windscreen-mounted camera to adjust the headlamps and avoid dazzling oncoming traffic, blind spot and lane keep assist systems and the night vision camera already offered with the S-class. Mercedes has also developed a drowsiness detection system launching with the new model and safety system including an active bonnet that raises the car's hood by 50mm when it detects an impact with a pedestrian to cushion the victim from the engine.

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