After four years in production and around a million vehicles sold, Mercedes-Benz has announced the new generation of its world beating E-Class has arrived in Australia. The new E-Class is now available from authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers around Australia.

Some 2000 parts in the E-Class are new or further developments. The Saloon and Estate boast new body styling, which is even more dynamic, poised and assured than before. The E-Class is once again setting the benchmark as the technology trendsetter. No other car in this market segment can match the range of safety innovations including PRE-SAFE® and NECK-PRO head restraints. These extensive safety features make the E-Class the safest car in its class. The DIRECT CONTROL package, with more direct steering and a retuned suspension, and three new or enhanced engines take agility and driving pleasure to new heights. Maintaining the same level of fuel economy, these engines develop up to 26 per cent more output and 18 per cent more torque. The prices for the four and six-cylinder models have minimal increases despite the more extensive standard specification.

The E-Class was the No. 1 archetypal executive saloon in Western Europe in 2005, accounting for 30 percent of the market. In Germany 38 percent of all buyers of premium models chose the E-Class Saloon, helping maintain the Saloon’s position as German market leader for four years running. Worldwide Mercedes-Benz has sold around a million vehicles from the current E-Class line-up since spring 2002 -- 860,000 Saloons and 140,000 Estates.

Since 1976 almost 50,000 (48,164) E-Class models have been sold in Australia.

For over 60 years the E-Class and its predecessors have been the “heart” of Mercedes-Benz, representing basic brand values like safety, comfort, innovation, economy and quality. Since 1946 Mercedes-Benz has delivered some ten million luxury sedans to customers all over the world.

The new generation E-Class is an even more dynamic concept, includes additional pioneering innovations and an upgraded standard specification. In Australia, 11 model variants will be available -- six Saloons and five Estates. As such, Mercedes-Benz will be offering the largest, most varied model range in this market segment. With outputs ranging from 135 kW to 378 kW, the new generation E-Class outpaces the previous model range (120 kW to 350 kW) and its competitors.

A revamped front-end design reflects the dynamism, power, poise and assurance of the new generation E-Class. The bumper and radiator grille feature a pronounced V-shape, which epitomises power and forward motion. Mercedes Benz has enhanced the familiar twin-headlamp face of the E-Class by adding transparent louvres to the top section of the headlamps, producing a striking light effect when switched on. Mercedes-Benz has further accentuated the dynamic appearance of the E Class on all model variants with side skirts and rear bumper in the AVANTGARDE design.

Inside, the new generation model differs from the outgoing model with new eye-catching colours, a new four-spoke steering wheel from the CLS featuring elliptical thumb-operated buttons and a digital display for the standard-fit THERMATIC automatic climate control. The Mercedes designers have also redefined the coordinated colour schemes, upholstery and materials; for the AVANTGARDE line in particular there are two new colours (cognac brown and sahara beige), which add an extra touch of refinement in conjunction with the black roof lining.

Safety: setting the standards in the premium segment with PRE-SAFE® and other innovations

Pioneering innovations help the E-Class continue to set the pace of passenger car safety in its market segment: Saloon and Estate are equipped as standard with the anticipatory PRE-SAFE® system whose “reflexes” respond before an impending collision by activating protection measures for the driver and front passenger. As a result, the seatbelt and airbag provide maximum protection in the event of a collision. PRE-SAFE®, a world first, which went into series production in the S-Class in 2002 has received numerous international awards, heralding the start of a new era in vehicle safety. No other premium-class model can offer this kind of anticipatory protection system.

The standard-fit NECK-PRO head restraints on the E-Class are equally unique. During a rear impact the sensor-controlled head restraints are moved forward to provide protection for the driver’s and front passenger’s heads within milliseconds. The crash-responsive head restraints prevent the upper spinal column from bending as a result of the accident, reducing the risk of whiplash injuries, one of the most common accident injuries costing around eight billion euros annually in the European Union.

Mercedes-Benz has also consistently fine-tuned the occupant safety features on the E-Class. The Saloon and Estate meet the most stringent international crash standards such as the U.S. 80 km/h rear impact test or the new U.S. side crash test, which simulates a collision with a heavy off-road vehicle. To date, the E-Class has completed some 330 crash tests as part of ongoing improvements to vehicle safety.

Engines: noticeably more output, more powerful supercharged engine and new eight-cylinder engine

Three of the five engines in the new generation E-Class are new or further developments. They provide up to 60 kW more output and up to 70 Nm more torque. Nonetheless the fuel consumption figures remain on a par with the exemplary level of the outgoing models: As such, the E Class will continue to build on one of its outstanding features: economy.

When it came to the petrol engines, the Mercedes engines paid particular attention to the four and eight-cylinder variants. The four-cylinder engine in the E 200 KOMPRESSOR delivers 12.5 per cent more output than before: 135 kW. At the same time, maximum torque has been increased to 250 Nm.

The E-Class engine range will be headed by the newly developed 5.5-litre eight-cylinder engine adopted from the S-Class with an output of 285 kW. Compared with the previous V8, the new engine delivers 26 per cent more output. At 530 Nm the torque also comfortably exceeds the maximum for the preceding engine by around 15 per cent. The new E 500 delivers the performance profile of a sports car: the Saloon accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds, 0.7 seconds faster than the previous E 500.

The new E 63 AMG from the Mercedes-AMG stable is fitted with a naturally aspirated V8 engine delivering 378 kW and maximum torque of 630 Nm. The E 63 AMG is the most powerful E-Class of all times.

DIRECT CONTROL: package for even more dynamic driving pleasure

The new generation of the successful Mercedes model series looks more dynamic, delivers more power and also offers even more agile handling. DIRECT CONTROL makes this possible: with this standard-fit package the Mercedes engineers have made remarkable progress in terms of handling dynamics, without compromising the combination of safety and long-distance comfort, the consistent hallmark of the E-Class Saloon and Estate.

Increasing the direct steering ratio by around 10 per cent makes the E Class more responsive to steering movements. Nonetheless the E-Class continues to reassure drivers with its superb handling safety and stability. Newly developed spring link bearings also support lateral forces more effectively when cornering and enhance the neutral cornering characteristics of the Saloon and Estate still more. The ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models also come with rebound buffer springs, which effectively limit body roll when cornering.

The ADAPTIVE BRAKE system is taken from the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and provides new safety and comfort features thanks to the electronic control of the hydraulic dual-circuit brakes. An automatic tyre pressure loss warning system also forms part of the extended standard equipment on the E-Class.