Benz is also aiming to make the E the safest vehicle in its class with
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| Headlamps now have five different modes which automatically adjust to the conditions. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
new technologies to help the driver and drivers of other vehicles avoid accidents. The 2007 E-Class will feature M-B's new Intelligent Light System, a five-mode program for the standard bi-xenon headlamps. Depending on vehicle speed, the beam adjusts in order to provide enhanced visibility without creating excessive glare and dazzle from oncoming drivers. Likewise, the E-Class also features flashing rear brake lamps, which are present to reduce the reaction time of drivers behind the vehicle. Benz claims a shortening of 0.2 seconds for reaction time, which works out to an amazing 5.5 metres of distance when traveling at 100 km/h.
Benz
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| Striving for passenger safety: Pre-Safe is Standard, as are many other active and passive safety features. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
also hopes that in the event of an accident the new E will also be one of the safest automobiles to be in. Aside from having a safety pedigree, the E-Class is fitted with numerous new passive safety features that include the Pre-Safe system, which 'primes' all safety systems (including raising reclined seats, pretensing the seatbelts and even closing the sunroof) in the event of an unavoidable collision in order to allow the passive safety features to provide maximum protection. Also new, the Neck-Pro whiplash prevention system is standard on all models, as are a full count of airbags which include side impact airbags and side curtain airbags.
Part of what made the E-Class so successful in Europe, and to a
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| From four to eight cylinders, gasoline, diesel, naturally aspirated, supercharged or turbocharged... you pick. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
certain degree, North America, is its extensive model lineup. The range could only be described as expansive, and stretched from small but efficient four-cylinder turbodiesels to supercharged V8s capable of warp-speed-like acceleration. Out of the ten engines offered on the E-Class, six were heavily revised or completely new for the '07 E. These motors include the '200 Kompressor', a supercharged, four-cylinder engine that is used in the base model (unavailable in U.S.), a new 5.5-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine as featured in the new S-Class, and a whole host of turbodiesels.
Out
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| If the 5.2 s 0-100 km/h time of the E 550 isn't good enough, try the new E 63 AMG. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
of all of these new engines, there are two that really stand out; interestingly, they come from opposite ends of the spectrum. First is the powerplant fitted to the new, top of the line AMG model; as its name suggests, the E 63 is powered by a 6.3-litre naturally-aspirated engine, tuned and hand-built by AMG's craftsmen. This engine, which debuted in Mercedes' SUV range, features a thoroughly impressive 514 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, which makes it the most powerful E-Class ever, surpassing the likes of the old 5.5-litre supercharged V8.
The other engine is of a completely different nature, and will make
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| Bluetec and modern common rail turbodiesel technology ensure that from here, you'll never know the engine's a diesel - unless watching the fuel gauge. (Photo: Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
its world debut in the North American marketplace. As was promised at this year's NAIAS in Detroit, Bluetec Diesel technology is on its way, and will be featured first on the E. The principle behind this new technology is nitrogen oxide emission abatement to a level that clears the world's most stringent emissions standards. This, of course, comes with no penalty to power or fuel consumption; while performance figures have yet to be released, Benz claims that the E 320 CDI Bluetec consumes between 20 to 40 percent less fuel than the equivalent gasoline model.
