German Car Zone

so any new news on when the new E-Class will come out? Will it be in 2008 as a 2009 model or in 2009 as a 2010 model a la new 5 series?

In the U.S it will be a MY 2010 vehicle. It may debut in Europe at the end of next year and come to the U.S. in early 09' as an 10'.

M

September 08 is the date according to my calculations

Let me guess – the new Mercedes E-class estate?

Very good. Yes, Mercedes is working flat out to ready its new E-class range – known internally by its W212 chassis number – for its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. That’s some way off, but our spies already have most of the key features of Mercedes’ big saloon and estate in the bag. Prices should start around the £33,000 mark for the entry-level E250, rising to an anticipated £75,000 for the hotshoe E63 AMG. Click next for the full story…

What’s underneath all that cladding?

As you’d expect, both saloon and estate will be larger in all directions but lighter overall. Our sources say Mercedes’ stylists have gone for chunkier and more angular styling to evoke the solidity and robustness of the E-class ranges from the late 1980s and early 1990s. And of course, it will be bristling with scalpel-sharp integrated safety features, and will be powered by advanced Bluetec diesel and hybrid technology.

What’s carried over from the outgoing range?

The new E-class will sit on brand new chassis architecture. As well as a longer wheelbase and slightly wider front and rear tracks to boost cabin and luggage space, the E-class will employ a number of weight-saving elements including the extensive use of lightweight alloys and composites in the chassis and suspension to keep weight down and economy up.

Unwilling to face another embarrassing climb-down, Mercedes has ditched its steer-by-wire and four-wheel steering systems. The alloy-intensive suspension will be new, but will adhere to Mercedes’ trusted multilink rear axle and four-link front axle layout, complemented by next-generation ABC Active Body Control systems and Airmatic suspension.

Tell me about the cabin

Although we have yet to see the new car’s cabin layout, expect it to mimic the layout and architecture of the bigger S-class, with an integral high-mounted colour screen alongside the backlit instrument panel, sleek and clean button-light dash and the Comand multi-controller. Further options will include a high-speed DVD-based sat-nav system, hard-drive based MP3-compatible audio system and infrared-based night vision.

Mercedes has also paid particular attention to ensuring perceived build quality and outright reliability will be above reproach. Hurt by less than impressive customer satisfaction ratings both in Europe and America, the E-class programme engineers have been told to deliver a car that doesn’t understand the concept of breaking down.

What’s this Bluetec stuff all about – mobile phones or something?

Er, no. That's Bluetooth. Bluetec uses a post-combustion urea treatment to further cleanse exhaust emissions and cut NOx levels in particular. And all diesels in the new E-class range will feature this technology, although there’s still internal debate at Mercedes UK about Bluetec’s arrival in the UK. Although emissions are cleaner, CO2 levels climb slightly which has higher cost implications for our CO2-based tax system. We expect Mercedes UK to bite the bullet and go fully Bluetec when the E-class arrives.

The diesel range will be headlined by an E300 Bluetec-hybrid that will emit just 134g/km, a CO2 figure more akin to a family hatchback than a large family saloon. All petrol engines will be direct injection CGI units and both diesel and petrol powerplants will be hooked up to a revised version of Mercedes’ 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic box. Here’s the line-up in detail…


Petrol............................... Diesel
E250, 2.5 V6 CGI, 214bhp E280 CDI, 3.0 V6, 190bhp
E300, 3.0 V6 CGI, 243bhp E320 CDI, 3.0 V6, 225bhp
E350, 3.5 V6 CGI, 272bhp E350 CDI, 3.0 V6 biturbo, 313bhp
E400, 4.0 V8 CGI, 320bhp E400 CDI, 4.0 V8, 354bhp.
E63 AMG, 6.3 V8, 514 bhp E300 CDI Hybrid 2.2, 225bhp


New Mercedes E-Class Scooped - Secret New Cars - Carmagazine.co.uk


The emphasis on quality and a link to the W124 are really encouraging, but we'll see. CAR seems to think the current 5.5L V8 won't be included next time? Uh...wrong I'd say.


M

Now that's ballsy comment to fulfil!

Vee are testing 4Matic?



You get your prototype and follow me!



Such a large arse you have my dear.

M

*** that cant be right...
09 frankfurt??
isnt this supposed to debut at 08 paris?

Frankfurt 09 is too far away. My guess is GLK Detroit 09, CLK Paris 08 and E-class Geneva 09. Remember that the facelift was introduced last year, so 09 makes it 6 years on the market.

Yep, I'm with Luw on this. This is most likely Geneva, Frankfurt just wouldn't make sense.