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…
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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.
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.