Design: new Mercedes hallmarks combined with E-Class styling features

The new Estate immediately makes an athletic and practical, but also effortlessly superior and safe impression. Its distinctive design character is based on the new Mercedes style, which had its debut in the S-Class and is now also represented in the C-Class. One of its main features is the interplay between concave and taut surfaces, which are delimited by dynamic edges and structured contours.

The side view reveals many new elements, leaving no doubt about the identity of the new Estate. The B- and C-pillars appear to merge into the background thanks to glossy, black trim panels, making the entire side window area look like a single entity. This leads to a taut arch leading from the filigree A-pillar to the dramatic roof line and the downward-tapering D-pillar, all resting on the athletic shoulder line of the Estate. The intriguing design of the door sill panels, which are visually understated in the center but feature a prominent light-catching contour towards the wheel arches, accentuates the dramatic overall effect of the side aspect. This is additionally emphasised by the muscular, sweeping line on the rear side panel in front of the rear wheel.

When shaping the rear end, the Mercedes designers took care to give expression to the high practicality of the new model. They did this by emphasizing horizontal lines, for example the band formed by the tail lights and the chromed tailgate handle. The new LED tail lights are based on a two-piece design, and create a visual continuation of the side wall into the tailgate. Both by day and night, their distinctive design is a major recognition factor for the E-Class Estate. This is the largest estate car in the premium segment, and it makes no secret of the fact.

Safety: nine airbags as standard, plus innovative driver assistance systems

Mercedes-Benz has consolidated its leadership in safety even further with the new E-Class. Around one dozen new or modified driver assistance systems help to prevent road accidents or at least reduce the severity of the impact. These include the standard ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, the optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control and the optional PRE-SAFE® Brake, which is able to initiate partial and full emergency braking autonomously. For the first time, PRE-SAFE® is also able to use only the information received from the short-range sensors in the front bumper to tension the front seat belts at the last moment before an accident recognized as unavoidable, thereby reducing the loads exerted on the driver and front passenger during the crash.

With nine airbags fitted as standard, four belt tensioners and belt force limiters, and NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger, the new E-Class offers an even more extensive package of safety equipment than its predecessor. The airbags, which can deploy in a matter of milliseconds in the event of an accident, include two adaptive airbags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag for the driver, two sidebags in the front-seat backrests and two large windowbags which extend from the A-pillar to the C‑pillar during a side impact. Pelvisbags for the front occupants are also included for the first time. These reduce the loads acting on the torso and pelvic area during a lateral collision.

Sidebags for the rear seat passengers can also be installed as optional extras. As a further safety innovation, Mercedes-Benz also offers optional, self-adaptive belt force limiters for the rear. These adjust to the size and weight of the passengers, and also become available for the Sedan with the introduction of the Estate.

Suspension: automatic self-levelling at the rear as standard

Outstanding comfort on long journeys in the Estate is ensured by the newly developed DIRECT CONTROL suspension, which features the adaptive damping system as standard. The likewise standard self-levelling rear suspension sees to it that the Estate always remains at the same level, even when fully laden. The Estate’s suspension setup has also been adapted to suit the modified body geometry, with slightly stiffer shock absorber settings and torsion bar stabilizers, making the Estate just as agile as the Sedan without having to make compromises in terms of road roar and tyre vibration characteristics.

Engines: considerable reduction in fuel consumption and emissions

The fuel consumption and emissions of the new Estate have been considerably reduced by new engines and numerous optimization measures (aerodynamics, weight, energy management, reduced resistances). One prime example is the E 250 CDI with an output of 150 kW and a peak torque of 500 Nm, achieving 41.3 mpg (5.7 litres per 100 km,) with CO2 emissions of 150 g per km.

The engine line-up available for the new Estate at launch comprises five units developing between 125 kW/170 hp and 285 kW/388 hp. Though with a lower displacement, the new and modified engines generate more output than their predecessors, while impressing with fuel consumption figures that were previously only found in the compact class. This was made possible by numerous innovations, for example spray-guided direct injection for the E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY gasoline model. The four-cylinder CDI engines partly owe their exceptional status to newly developed piezo injectors and two-stage turbocharging. All the powerplants meet the requirements of the EU5 emission standard. The E-Class Estate can be ordered now for Europe but no detail was given for U.S. market.

All of the engines available at launch, the accompanying transmissions installed as standard and the basic prices at a glance:

Diesel

• E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cc, 125 kW/170 hp, 40.6-41.3 mpg (5.7-5.8 l per 100 km,) CO2 150-153 g/km, 6-speed manual transmission, from US$ 64,266 (€ 44,803.50)
• E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cc, 150 kW/204 hp, 40.6-41.3 mpg (5.7-5.8 l/100 km,) CO2 150-153 g/km, 6-speed manual transmission, from US$ 68,449 (€ 47,719)
• E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 2987 cc, 170 kW/231 hp, 32.2-33.6 mpg (7.0-7.3 l/100 km,) CO2 185-192 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission, from US$ 77,751 (€ 54,204.50)

Gasoline

• E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 3498 cc, 215 kW/292 hp, 26.4-27.4 mpg (8.6–8.9 l/100 km,) CO2 200-208 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission, from US$ 79,116 (€ 55,156.50)
• E 500: V8, 5461 cc, 285 kW/388 hp, 21.0-21.2 mpg (11.1–11.2 l/100 km,) CO2 258-260 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission, from US$ 100,623 (€ 70,150.50)

The following additional models are available from the first quarter of 2010 onwards:

Diesel

• E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 2143 cc, 100 kW/136 hp, 41.3* mpg (5.7* l/100 km,) CO2 150* g/km, 6-speed manual transmission, from US$ 60,169 (€ 41,947.50)
• E 350 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY: V6, 2987 cc, 170 kW/231 hp, 30.5-30.9 mpg (7.6–7.7 l/100 km,) CO2 200-203 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission, from US$ 81,677 (€ 56,941.50)

Gasoline

• E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 1796 cc, 135 kW/183 hp, 30.6* mpg (7.7* l/100 km,) CO2 179* g/km, 6-speed manual transmission, from US$ 61,279 (€ 42,721)
• E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY: 4-cylinder in-line, 1796 cc, 150 kW/204 hp, 28.7-29.4 mpg (8.0-8.2 l/100 km,) CO2 185-191 g/km, 5-speed automatic transmission, from US$ 68,448 (€ 47,719)
• E 350 4MATIC: V6, 3498 cc, 200 kW/272 hp, 22.8-23.0 mpg (10.2-10.3 l/100 km,) CO2 238-241 g/km, 7-speed automatic transmission, from US$ 81,677 (€ 56,941.50)

* Provitional figures

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