Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 News

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.

The new generation E63 is still at least two years away but the German car maker is in the middle of development.In the US, the E63 is sold exclusively with all-wheel-drive and in Germany, where both rear-drive and all-wheel-drive are available, more than 90 per cent of customers opt for all-wheel-drive.“Where we have both (rear-drive and all-wheel-drive) on sale, the demand is so tremendous that we have 94 to 96 per cent all-wheel-drive,” said the boss of Mercedes-Benz AMG Tobias Moers, speaking at the European media preview of the new C63 AMG.“In the US we just have the (all-wheel-drive) system and it was a story of success, and if we see what happened in Germany, where we had both variants in the market, then you have to move business-wise into one variant.”He said this meant “there is no argument to have both variants any more”.There is no argument to have both variants any more.But he said fans should not worry that the next E63 will lose its character.“If we have a sophisticated all-wheel-drive system in the car which provides a nice drifting behaviour then it’s ok,” he said. “All-wheel-drive systems are getting better and better … we have a lot ideas for the future.”Previously, all-wheel-drive versions of the E63 were not available in Australia as it was developed for left-hand-drive only.“The future architecture is feasible for right-hand-drive all-wheel-drive,” said Moers.

Benz has sent the performance community into a spin with news this morning that it will bring its top of the line 430kW E63 AMG sedan to Australia, despite the fact it can't offer the car with four-wheel drive.The high performance, 5.5-litre Bi-Turbo V8 engined car will not be quite as quick off the line as the four-wheel drive, 4MATIC version in Germany, but in all other respects it will be the same - Aussie buyers won't miss out.Just like the compact GLK off-roader, which has never been offered here, the 4MATIC model is not engineered for right-hand drive countries - a decision that has probably cost Benz millions in lost sales over the past few years. You'd think they would have learned from their mistakes?Although it offers larger, four-wheel drive off-roaders like the M and GL-Class, four-wheel drive versions of its passenger cars are still a couple of years away. That's unfortunate, because in the case of the E63 AMG 4MATIC S model, four-wheel drive is required to get all that power to the ground.With a whopping 430kW of power and 800Nm of torque, it is capable of blasting from 0-100km/h in a Ferrari-like 3.6 seconds. While the rear-wheel drive version of the car that we have been promised will struggle, Benz claims it will still be good for 3.8-3.9 seconds - it hasn't been tested yet.This compares with the standard, 410kW/720Nm rear-wheel drive E63 AMG that will also be sold in Australia which does the dash in 4.2 seconds. Benz describes the new and improved version of its engine as the most efficient series production V8 engine in the world.Along with other design and technological changes to the E-Class range, it should cement the car's place as a leader in the market. A spokesman for Benz Australia says the E63 AMG is an important car to Australia, which has one of the highest up-takes of high performance AMG models in the world - at 7.6 per cent of sales.But they are not for everyone, not at a starting price of $240,000. There's no word on prices for the new model at this stage, except to say the figures will be “assertive.” This also applies the rest of the E Class range which arrives in August.Benz also confirmed this morning that the lineup will include the E300 hybrid diesel, which offers fuel consumption of an incredible 4.1 litres/100km - with no sacrifice in performance. The hybrid with diesel and electric motors produces a combined 170kW of power and 750Nm of torque and is expected to replace the both the E350 and E500 petrol models.The small volume wagon will also continue to be offered, in E250CDI and E400 petrol form, as well as an AMG. No word yet on the coupe and cabriolet which are due later in the year.The spokesman told Carsguide this morning the company was convinced the large car market was far from dead in Australia. He said people were attracted by the size of cars like the E-Class, but wanted smaller, more efficient engines - provided of course they did not have to sacrifice anything in terms of performance.He said they were also popular as they benefited from an effective $6000 discount,  because all of the four cylinder models consume less than 7.0 litres of fuel per 100km. Surprisingly, 80 per cent of E Class sales last year were four cylinder models, either petrol or diesel engines. “It's almost a case of build it and they will come,” he said.This reporter is on Twitter: @IamChrisRiley 

The performance sedan was shown in a group photo of the whole E-Class range, shot on Merc’s test track in Stuttgart. The few details released with the image confirm earlier reports that the E63 AMG will offer the brand’s 4Matic all-wheel drivetrain, however it’s too early to determine if this will make it to Australia. The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG will arrive here around the third quarter, powered by the current 5.5-litre twin-turbo engine developing 386kW of power and 700Nm of torque – upped to 410kW and 800Nm if you option the Performance Pack – mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. There’s no indication of whether there will be a considerable price rise over the current starting tag of $240,985, but even at the performance end of the range Mercedes will be keen to stay competitive against their German rivals.  

The new standard for mid-sized and mid-priced luxury, even if the bottom end is out of reach for most Australians, is a must-have contender for COTY. It's not as fast as Godzilla or as economical as the Prius, but the E is the car which will set the bar for luxury and comfort and overall refinement.Price: from $96,900Output: 150kW/4200revs, 500Nm/1600-1800revs, 5.3L/100km, 139g/kmMercedes-Benz E-Class: reviewMercedes-Benz E350 E500: reviewMercedes-Benz E63 AMG: reviewMercedes-Benz E-Class coupe: first driveMercedes-Benz E-Class 2009 price and specsACT dealer locationsNSW dealer locationsNT dealer locationsQLD dealer locationsSA dealer locationsTAS dealer locationsVIC dealer locationsWA dealer locations

Mercedes-Benz dealers across the country already hold 30 orders for the hot-shot $234,900 E63 AMG sports sedan and order books are running hot. Deliveries start later this month and Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman, David McCarthy, says many of the orders came in even before pricing was announced."A lot of our clients were expecting prices around $250,000," he says. McCarthy says the E63 is $4056 cheaper than the outgoing model. "That's partly to do with exchange rates and partly because of the hard bargaining with Mercedes-Benz Germany," he says. McCarthy says the lower price, combined with additional equipment and features totalling $28,100, delivers "a net customer advantage of $32,156".The E63 has been tailored to the Australian market. It is the only market to get 19-inch wheels as standard, along with a rear spoiler and sun protection package. Based on the new E-Class sedan, the E63 gets a powerful AMG-inspired 6.3-litre V8, AMG Ride Control sports suspension with electronically controlled damping and a new front axle. The high-revving naturally aspirated engine develops 386kW/630Nm and slingshots the car to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.Mercedes-Benz Australia sold about 950 AMG cars last year and is expecting a similar number this year. "Give the economy and the global financial crisis, that's an excellent result," McCarthy says. "AMG in Australia, in terms of market penetration, is continually in the top five markets globally. "I think our customers love the V8s and the AMG brand really resonates with our buyers."

The latest E-Class sedan and coupe are already on the road, the go-fast E63 AMG is confirmed for later in the year, and now comes the station wagon. There will also be an E-Class cabriolet, which should land in the first quarter of 2010 at almost the same time as the E-Class Estate revealed this week.First pictures of the wagon show very little change from the sedan, apart from the obvious stuff around the tail. Still, the car is smoother than the E Estate it replaces, with some innovations including a system which allows the rear seat backs to be folded using handles inside the rear tailgate.The new wagon extends a family line stretching back 30 years and, even with small sales in Australia, it is expected to do well. "The Estate is traditionally around six per cent of E-Class sedan sales, but we have a very strong, loyal buyer group who come to us specially for the E-Class Estate,” says Peter Fedayev of Mercedes- Benz Australia."History has shown they much prefer an estate version of a sedan car as opposed to a luxury SUV. There are some strong concentrations of Estate buyers in particular cities, to the north in Sydney and the East in Melbourne."The new wagon has a carrying capacity of up to 1950 litres and also picks up the increases in passenger space from the E sedan. Nine airbags are standard and, although Benz is yet to confirm the local specification, everything from a drowsiness warning and automatic emergency braking to luxury cabin equipment is available in Europe.The mechanical setup of the wagon is almost identical to the sedan, apart from standard self-levelling suspension at the rear, although the engine choices will be limited. "Customers can expect a choice of four and six-cylinder engines," Fedayev says, without mentioning petrol or diesel power.But he is keener on the overall package. "The Estate gets all the technologies the new sedan gets. The difference between the sedan and the Estate is the luggage space and the availability of a third row of seats," he says."We're expecting it around February next year as part of the introduction phase of the whole new range. The Cabriolet is also expected in the first quarter." There is no news yet on pricing, although the starting price for the new E220 sedan was cut by more than 20 per cent from the previous model.

So Mercedes-Benz has responded by trimming the entry price into its new E-Class sedan range and adding more equipment.The newest range opener is also now a 2.1-litre turbo diesel, the 220 CDI, which arrives in September with a pricetag of $80,900, about $10,000 cheaper than the outgoing 1.8-litre 200 Kompressor model. The CDI also becomes the first modern four-cylinder turbo-diesel E-Class to be sold here. The 220 CDI will be joined in two months by the $93,900 E250 CGI petrol four, $96,900 E 250 CDI diesel four and $131,900 E350 CDI V6.These engines are all part of the company's Blue Efficiency technologies designed to reduce aerodynamics, fuel consumption and emissions. The range initially kicks off with the $128,900 E350 V6 and $178,900 E500 V8. The new 3.5-litre V6 E350 costs $2965 less than the outgoing model, yet adds more than $10,000 in additional standard equipment. Of all the models, only the 5.5-litre V8 E500 sedan is more expensive, increasing by $11,232. However, it too gets an equipment lift with about $21,000 worth of extra standard equipment.Buyers can also specify the $5700 AMG sports pack which adds 18-inch AMG alloys, body kit, firmer suspension, sports seats, three-spoke steering wheel and brushed alloy pedals.Apart from a lavish level of safety, the E350 gets front and rear parking sensors with parking guidance, 7-speed G-tronic automatic, lane keeping package with blind-spot alarm, 18-inch alloys, bi-Xenon headlights, cruise control, split/fold rear seats, cupholders, cable for the iPod input, multi-contour front seats and multi-zone climate control air-conditioning.The E500 ups the ante with keyless entry and go, more luxurious front seats, alarm and sunblinds in the rear and side rear seats. The car has grown slightly in all directions except height. The wheelbase is 20mm longer at 2874mm, which has helped liberate more interior room. The sedan's boot capacity remains at 540-litres but it has been redesigned to improve its shape so it can take four golf bags. Every E-Class now also gets a split fold rear seat to increase luggage room.Visually, one look at the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan shows that the design team has taken some cues from the famous 1950s Pontoon models. The E-Class shares that car's bulging rear wheel arches, incorporated into the ninth-generation car's 21st century design. Apart from a passing nod to the Pontoon, the newest Merc gains a modern interpretation of the E-Class's quad headlight treatment.As expected, it bristles with safety and technology. Mercedes boldly describes it as the safest car in the world. Apart from the added features, service intervals have also been lifted to 25,000km.Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director, passenger cars, Horst von Sanden, says the introduction of an entry turbo-diesel reflects the growing acceptance of modern diesel technology by Australian customers. He says adding more gear into the cars was also a direct reaction to market demands.The luxury segment had become more price sensitive, he says. “We saw that with the run-out of the old car,” he says. “Even luxury buyers are expecting more.”Apart from the sedan, Mercedes-Benz also launched the E-Class coupe, which effectively replaces the CLK.Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan: E 220 CDI sedan - $80,900E 250 CGI sedan - $93,900E 250 CDI sedan - $96,900E 350 CDI sedan - $131,900E 350 sedan - $128,900E 500 sedan - $178,900Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé: E 250 CGI coupé - $94,500E 250 CDI coupé - $97,500E 350 coupé - $127,500E 500 coupé - $174,500

Benz execs are not talking about the Brabus version of the Coupe because it's not officially sanctioned. But the company has partnered with Brabus in the past to produce other high-performance models including one of the tiny Smart. It makes us wonder whether there may in future be room for two performance lines in the Benz lineup — a move that would surely add much-needed sales? Drivetrain A 6.1-litre Brabus V8 replaces the standard 5.5-litre unit in the top of the line E500 that will be fitted with an AMG kit as standard when it arrives in our showrooms in July. The bigger V8 puts out 340kW of power and boasts an impressive top speed of 315km/h. The 6.1-litre engine is a bored and stroked version of the E500's 5.5-litre V8, with a maximum 340kW of power and 615Nm of torque — the latter available from 3100 revs. It'll do the dash from 0-100km/h in just 4.7 seconds. The increase in engine displacement has been achieved through the installation of a billet crankshaft with longer stroke and larger pistons. The four-valve cylinder heads have also been machined and fitted with custom camshafts. Contributing to the higher power output, the engine management system has been reprogrammed and a sports exhaust system fitted with high-performance metal catalysts. Appearance The Brabus model has also been fitted with an aero kit developed after extensive wind tunnel testing. Further highlights include custom wheels up to 20 inches in diameter, sporty yet comfortable suspension solutions and exclusive interior options. Exterior enhancements include a Brabus front spoiler with LED daytime runners that not only gives the car a more striking appearance, but also reduce lift at high speed. New aluminium front sport quarter panels with integrated clear-coated carbon-fibre inserts have also been added. Together with new rocker panels that incorporate LED entrance lights into their undersides, it give the coupe a lower and sleeker stance. You can also option rockers with an integrated illuminated BRABUS logo. Down the back the Brabus rear apron features a centrally mounted reflector and custom-tailored cutouts either side for the quad tailpipes. One-piece or multi-piece monoblock light-alloy wheels round out the look, ranging in size from 17 to 20 inches. The larger 20-inchers are fitted with Pirelli or Yokohama rubber, shod with 235/30 ZR 20 in front and 265/25 ZR 20 on the rear axle. The list of interior options includes stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and an entirely new interior crafted from especially soft yet durable Brabus Mastik leather and Alcantara. Platform A variety of suspension solutions are offered, tailored to the various engines available in the new E-Class. The kits range from simple lowering springs to complete height-adjustable coil-over sport suspension. Brabus even offers a high-performance brake package, with six-piston aluminium fixed calipers and 360mm vented and cross-drilled discs on the front axle. The rear axle stops with four-piston aluminium fixed calipers.

The almost unbelievable move of prestige cars carrying small-car engines is being sparked by punishing global fuel and emission regulations. As performance is becoming replaced with economy, Mercedes-Benz is even admitting high-efficient four-cylinder engines may be seen in its S-Class flagship range. For now, the German won't timetable an S-Class four, but has confirmed its new E-Class will hit Australia this year with its entry-level E220 sporting a turbo-diesel four. It is the first time Mercedes has announced a diesel as the base model. The 125kW E220 CDI is expected to arrive in September, three months after the first wave of E-Class sedans led by the petrol-engined E350 and E500, priced at a bit more than the $75,000 green luxury threshold. Regardless, the E220 will save buyers about $5000 compared with the old luxury car threshold that didn't favour low-emission cars. The E220 will not be the only turbo-diesel four on offer in the E-Class range. It will be accompanied by the 150kW/500Nm E250 that has a 2.1-litre turbo-diesel engine. This engine, rated at a hybrid-busting 5.1 litres/100km yet capable of a 0-100km/h sprint of 7.4 seconds, is also being picked up by the E-Class Coupe which from October this year replaces the long-standing CLK range. The use of this engine in the performance-styled Coupe says it all about the change in thinking of European car makers. It comes as the January 2012 deadline draws closer for the European Union-mandated 120 grams per kilometre of carbon-dioxide emissions. Mercedes smartly believes that collecting a band of low emission models will allow it to continue developing and making its big-bore AMG models. With its family of cars including the 90g/km CO2 Smart MHD and a sub-90g/km CO2 Smart diesel, Mercedes may be on its way to fulfiling the EU demand. The E250 is the engine that is being talked up by Mercedes. Quietly, it is plausible that the engine could be the first four-cylinder to be slotted into the S-Class —- though that won't happen for the Mercedes-Benz 2010 S-Class range being unveiled now. Rather, it could be on the cards within five years.