Mercedes Benz’s E-Class Sedan to Get Major Updates
Part of what made the E-Class so successful in Europe, and to a 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 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 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.
Oddly, out of the hundreds of markets the E-Class is sold in, those in ‘diesel-hating’ North America will received the E-Class CDI with Blutec first. Europe, which for the most part functions on diesel, must wait until model year 2008. As for all other E-Class models, the car will go on sale this June in Europe, with North American models hitting showrooms just a few weeks later. Though pricing has not been announced, Benz says that all four and six cylinder cars will sticker for the same amount as in 2006, despite the increase in equipment. The V8 models - E 550 and E 63 AMG, will move up in price.