On April 12, 2006, Mercedes-Benz presented the new generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class at the New York International Automobile Show. As product enhancement the series was equipped with new engines, forward-looking safety technology, and the most up-to-date lighting equipment. In addition, the design engineers redeveloped or improved 2,000 parts.

The new generation of the E-Class demonstrated its dynamism, strength and effortless superiority mainly through a revised design. The sedan and station wagon appeared even more dynamic and commanding than before. Inside, the new generation was distinguished among other things by attractive color combinations, a new four-spoke steering wheel and a new control unit for the standard automatic climate control.

The vehicles went on sale in Europe in early June 2006, and a few weeks later also in the USA. A total of 29 model variants were available to choose from – 16 sedans and 13 station wagons. Compared with its competitors, Mercedes-Benz offered the largest and most varied model range in this market segment.

New engines for the new generation of E-Class

Six out of ten engines of the facelifted E-Class were new or advance developments. In particular the four-cylinder diesel engines of models E 200 CDI and E 220 CDI were optimized to further improve output, torque and smoothness. In the gasoline engine department the engineers concentrated mainly on the power plants with four and eight cylinders. In the future the top engine in the E-Class would be the newly developed V8 engine (M 273) from the S-Class with 5.5-liter displacement and 285 kW (388 hp).

Mercedes-AMG first presented the E 63 AMG at the New York International Auto Show. Powered by the new AMG naturally aspirated V8, which obtained peak output of 378 kW (514 hp) and maximum torque of 465 ft-lbs (630 Nm) with a displacement of 6.2 liters, the E 63 AMG model was the most powerful E-Class ever. From 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) the sedan needed just 4.5 seconds, the station wagon 4.6 seconds. The perfect partner for the 6.3-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine from AMG was the new AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7-speed automatic transmission with three individual shift modes.

BlueTEC: The future of the diesel

The decision taken by Mercedes-Benz to put its first BlueTEC passenger car on the North American market in autumn 2006 pointed the way ahead for the compression-ignition engine. Compared with the advanced CDI engines, BlueTEC diesel technology produced a further significant reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions in particular. Following the successful launch of the world’s first BlueTEC passenger car the E 320 BlueTEC was voted “World Green Car of the Year 2007″ in America.

The Mercedes-Benz E 320 BlueTEC also demonstrated its capabilities in 2006 in a long-distance run from Paris to Beijing. This symbolic bridging of Europe and Asia took in large parts of the route covered by the first transcontinental car race in history, which took its participants from Beijing to Paris in 62 days in 1907. Three Mercedes-Benz E 320 BlueTEC vehicles along with 30 E 320 CDI models made up the field of E-Class sedans that travelled from Paris to Beijing.

See more YouTube videos of the Paris Beijing 2006 run.

The new E 300 BlueTEC – Road to the future

In 2007 Mercedes-Benz began introducing the new BlueTEC diesel technology in Europe. At the IAA International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September 2007 the Stuttgart brand presented the new E 300 BlueTEC as the latest model in the 211 series. This cleanest and thriftiest EU5 diesel from the business class came onto the European market in December 2007. With these two models, the E-Class spearheaded a Mercedes-Benz offensive across all model series. Since the years ahead will see BlueTEC variants for models from C-Class to R-Class on the “Mercedes-Benz Road to the Future”.

The slightly lower peak output of the new BlueTEC model in the US version (155 kW/211 hp instead of 165 kW/ 224 hp) resulted from measures designed to improve emissions. Further optimization measures included special piezo injectors and selective fine-tuning of turbocharger and exhaust gas recirculation. The unchanged high peak torque of 398 ft-lbs (540 Nm) at 1,600 rpm guarantees effortlessly superior performance with low fuel consumption and very clean exhaust gases. The NEDC consumption of the E 300 BlueTEC is around 7.3 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers, which is about 32 miles per gallon (mpg.)

E 350 CGI: direct-injection gasoline engine in the E-Class

Parallel to the E 300 BlueTEC model, Mercedes-Benz introduced the E 350 CGI model. Its V6 gasoline engine was equipped with ultramodern gasoline direct injection featuring a spray-guided combustion process (CGI). The world’s first engine to feature this innovative combustion system and piezo injection came from the CLS 350 CGI model. The E 350 CGI model has been available as a sedan or station wagon since December 2007.

Compared with the E 350 model, which is still available, the 215 kW (292 hp) V6 engine offers 15 kW (20 hp) more output and 11 ft-lbs (15 Nm) more torque, combined with ten percent lower fuel consumption. The E 350 CGI sedan model, which accelerates from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.8 seconds, uses just 8.7 liters of premium gasoline per 100 kilometers (New European Driving Cycle, or NEDC average) or about 27 mpg. In both model variants the top speed is electronically governed at 155 mph (250 km/h.)

E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class will also assume the role of pioneer in the next series of E-Class. The year 2010 is expected to see the arrival of the first of three Mercedes-Benz models from the next generation of the intermediate range, equipped with a unique combination of BlueTEC, 7G-TRONIC (MB’s trademark name for its seven-speed automatic transmission) and hybrid technology. The modular technology concept of the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID model comprises the new four-cylinder diesel engine, which develops 150 kW (204 hp) and a maximum torque of 354 ft-lbs (480 Nm) from 2.2 liters, and a compact hybrid module that delivers an additional 15 kW (20 hp). Consumption of just 5.1 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers (46 mpg) and carbon dioxide emissions of only 134 grams per kilometer make the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID model the world’s thriftiest and cleanest business sedan.

BlueTEC Diesel hybrid E 300. No price announcement yet, but Benz fans are already salivating.

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