German Car Zone

Here is the Link:
2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - First drive of the new E-Class - Motor Trend

This line struck me as pretty odd, I've never heard of M-B doing this before?

"The bodyshell uses high-strength steel to produce better crash results than ever without adding weight. Indeed, the shell is optimized for the V-6 models: The V-8 and AMG editions get reinforcements, so that the base-engine cars aren't unnecessarily heavy. To protect pedestrians who stray into its path, the rear of the hood pops up on impact to give their heads a cushioned landing."

Yeah I noticed that as well. I am pretty sure MB has done it before but without releasing any information to the media. Gullwing might know a bit more about this.

The magazine is referring to the new pedestrian-friendly bonnet that will pop up at near the windscreen to increase the space between the bonnet and the top of the engine to minimise the impact of the pedestrian and the hard point (the top of the engine).

The bonnet is popped up by a new mechanical hinge device.

That's interesting. And the kind of engineering finesse I expect from MB.
The pop-up bonnet is something else, KA is wondering about the shell reinforcement for the V8 models (heavier and bigger motor, more likely to penetrate the passenger's cell in case of a big crash, higher performances).

Interesting. I also noticed this:

"A switch to a three-link front suspension improves crash performance, though it required a lot of development driving to ensure the dynamics weren't compromised compared with the more complex previous design. The new suspension also improves component commonality with the C-Class. In fact, Mercedes engineers no longer talk of the C and E being separate platforms."

I'm not too tech-savvy, can someone explain how a simpler 3-Link setup offers better crash protection to the more complex previous generations?

Looks like M-B found a way to save some $$ with the C and E having virtually interchangeable components and possibly modified versions of the same chassis.