E350 sedans and wagons will replace E320 models in the Mercedes-Benz Canada lineup beginning immediately, the company has announced.
The 39 Canadian Mercedes-Benz dealers will be selling the 2006 E350 sedan and wagon powered by a new-generation 3.5-litre V-6 that produces 268 hp, which is a 20 percent increase over the 3.2-litre V-6 that's already in the line.
A 2006 E350 sedan will retail for $74,300, an E350 4Matic (i.e. all-wheel-drive) sedan for $78,350, and an E350 wagon for $79,550, says JoAnne Caza, marketing manager for the Toronto-based firm.
The E320 CDI ($74,400) will stay in the E-Class lineup, but the E320 sedan ($73,000), E320 4Matic sedan ($76,950), and E320 4Matic Wagon ($78,150) will disappear when the dealers sell the ones that are already in their inventories.
Other models in the E-Class lineup include the E500 sedan ($84,600), the E500 4Matic sedan ($88,550), the E500 4Matic wagon ($92,150), the E55 AMG sedan ($115,650), and the E55 AMG wagon ($120,950).
The rear-drive models of the new E350 will be connected to this new engine through a seven-speed automatic transmission, while the 4Matic will use a five-speed automatic with the Touch Shift feature.
The 3.5-litre, all-aluminum engine features variable valve timing for both intake and exhaust valves, and is the first V-6 to use double-overhead camshaft technology.
For those all-important launches and passing moves, the new engine delivers 87 percent of its maximum torque level -- 258 lb-ft -- at 1,500 rpm and from 2,400 to 5,000 rpm all of the torque is available.
An AMG Sport package will be available on the rear-wheel drive E350, though that price has not yet been announced.
The AMG package includes an AMG-design sculpted front air dam and rear apron, dual polished chrome exhaust tips, staggered-width 18-inch (8J x 18 front, 9J x 18 rear) AMG ultra thin-spoke monoblock wheels with high-performance 245/40 ZR 18 tires in front, and 265/35 ZR 18 tires at the rear.
An Appearance Package for the E350 and E500 sedans and wagons includes sculpted side skirts, front and rear aprons, bi-xenon headlights and headlamp washers, blue tinted glass, LED brake lights, and 17-inch sport wheels. Other equipment in the package varies, Caza says. The E350, for example, gets Airmatic DC air suspension as well as the larger 245/45 R 17 tire size, which are already standard on the E500.
The E350 and E500 rear-drive models come equipped with the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission, which improves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h by up to 0.3 seconds and allows significantly quicker acceleration in highway passing situations.
''At the same time,'' says Caza, ''shifting is even smoother than with the previous five-speed, and using seven gears allows the individual gears to be spaced closer together, which allows the engine to run in its most favorable rev range more often.''
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| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 (photo : Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
A 2006 E350 sedan will retail for $74,300, an E350 4Matic (i.e. all-wheel-drive) sedan for $78,350, and an E350 wagon for $79,550, says JoAnne Caza, marketing manager for the Toronto-based firm.
The E320 CDI ($74,400) will stay in the E-Class lineup, but the E320 sedan ($73,000), E320 4Matic sedan ($76,950), and E320 4Matic Wagon ($78,150) will disappear when the dealers sell the ones that are already in their inventories.
Other models in the E-Class lineup include the E500 sedan ($84,600), the E500 4Matic sedan ($88,550), the E500 4Matic wagon ($92,150), the E55 AMG sedan ($115,650), and the E55 AMG wagon ($120,950).
The rear-drive models of the new E350 will be connected to this new engine through a seven-speed automatic transmission, while the 4Matic will use a five-speed automatic with the Touch Shift feature.
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| 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350 (photo : Mercedes-Benz Canada) |
For those all-important launches and passing moves, the new engine delivers 87 percent of its maximum torque level -- 258 lb-ft -- at 1,500 rpm and from 2,400 to 5,000 rpm all of the torque is available.
An AMG Sport package will be available on the rear-wheel drive E350, though that price has not yet been announced.
The AMG package includes an AMG-design sculpted front air dam and rear apron, dual polished chrome exhaust tips, staggered-width 18-inch (8J x 18 front, 9J x 18 rear) AMG ultra thin-spoke monoblock wheels with high-performance 245/40 ZR 18 tires in front, and 265/35 ZR 18 tires at the rear.
An Appearance Package for the E350 and E500 sedans and wagons includes sculpted side skirts, front and rear aprons, bi-xenon headlights and headlamp washers, blue tinted glass, LED brake lights, and 17-inch sport wheels. Other equipment in the package varies, Caza says. The E350, for example, gets Airmatic DC air suspension as well as the larger 245/45 R 17 tire size, which are already standard on the E500.
The E350 and E500 rear-drive models come equipped with the world's first seven-speed automatic transmission, which improves acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h by up to 0.3 seconds and allows significantly quicker acceleration in highway passing situations.
''At the same time,'' says Caza, ''shifting is even smoother than with the previous five-speed, and using seven gears allows the individual gears to be spaced closer together, which allows the engine to run in its most favorable rev range more often.''