THERE is plenty riding on the new E-Class for Mercedes-Benz, especially in current times, but the company has made a huge commitment to the new generation model which is due here mid-year.
Rather than go all out for performance and luxury, the focus of the new model is on fuel economy and safety.
To that end, the new E-Class ushers in a brace of new engines, including a pair of 2.5-litre fours and a new direct injection V6 petrol (which we don’t get because of poor fuel quality).
The Aussie range will comprise diesels in 2.2litre turbo and 2.5litre (twin-turbo) fours, a 3.5litre V6 turbo diesel, and in petrol, a 2.5litre turbo four cylinder, 3.5litre V6, 5.5litre V8 and 6.3litre V8.
Initial mid-year shipments will be of the 3.5litre petrol and diesel V6s and the 5.5litre petrol V8.
All the fours have a five-speed manual only and at this stage are a chance to get the fuel saving engine stop/start system. The V6s and V8s get a seven-speed auto only.
All transmissions offer sequential change mode. The diesel fours consume a mere 5.3litres/100km.
All engines in the range comply with the stringent Euro 5 emissions regulations planned for 2014. Australian cars still only pass the equivalent of Euro 3.
The new model features Benz ‘family’ styling with squared-off headlights and rectangular driving lights.
A line of LED daytime running lights is fitted to some models. Large LED tail lights with that familiar Benz look dominate the chunky rear end.
The body has sleek lines accentuated by styling highlights such as a curving crease over the rear wheel and a pronounced bonnet bulge.
Mercedes-Benz has pulled out all the stops for safety on the new E-Class with life saving electronic features including: speed limit assist, attention assist (standard on all cars), lane keeping assist, blind spot warning system, adaptive high beam with automatic high and low beam operation, night vision and intelligent light system.
Some will make it into the Australian cars. The speed limit assist won’t be coming because we don’t have standardised signage.
We were able to experience most systems at the international preview to new E-Class last week in Madrid and were stunned.
The attention assist measures how many steering corrections a driver makes due to drowsiness and advises rest periods if necessary. On a series of drives in the mountains outside Madrid, the new E-Class, in most variants we will see here, proved impressive to say the least.
Of particular interest were the two 2.5litre fours, both of which you would happily own thanks to high power and torque outputs and low fuel consumption.
Ride and handling proved exemplary on all cars due to their adaptive dampers.
A BlueEfficiency package may be available here that optimises fuel efficiency and further lowers emissions.