Mercedes-Benz E-Class Explained

Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Production:1953–present (E-Class nomenclature adopted since 1993)
Class:Executive car (E)
Layout:Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive
Predecessor:Mercedes-Benz W124 (pre-facelift models, 1984–1993)

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive cars manufactured by German automaker Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. Produced since September 1953, the E-Class falls as a midrange in the Mercedes line-up, and has been marketed worldwide across five generations.

Before 1993, the E in Mercedes-Benz nomenclature was a suffix following a vehicle's model number which stood for Einspritzmotor (German for fuel injection engine). It began to appear in the early 1960s, when that feature began to be utilized broadly in the maker's product line, and not just in its upper-tier luxury and sporting models. By the launch of the facelifted W124 in 1993 fuel injection was ubiquitous in Mercedes engines, and the E was adopted as a prefix (i.e., E 220). The model line is referred to officially as the E-Class (or E-Klasse). All generations of the E-Class have offered either rear-wheel drive or Mercedes' 4Matic four-wheel drive system.

The E-Class is Mercedes-Benz' best-selling model, with more than 13 million sold by 2015.[1] The first E-Class series was originally available as four-door sedan, five-door station wagon, two-door coupe and two-door convertible. From 1997 to 2009, the equivalent coupe and convertible were sold under the Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class nameplate; which was based on the mechanical underpinnings of the smaller C-Class while borrowing the styling and some powertrains from the E-Class, a trend continued with the C207 E-Class coupe/convertible which was sold parallel to the W212 E-Class sedan/wagon. With the latest incarnation of the E-Class released for the 2017 model year, all body styles share the same W213 platform.[2]

Due to the E-Class's size and durability, it has filled many market segments, from personal cars to frequently serving as taxis in European countries, as well special-purpose vehicles (e.g., police or ambulance modifications) from the factory.[3] In November 2020, the W213 E-Class was awarded the 2021 Motor Trend Car of the Year award, a first for Mercedes-Benz.[4]

Predecessors

W120 (1953)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz W120/W121.

The first modern midsize Mercedes was the W120 'Ponton' 180 of 1953 and was produced until 1962. Sharing its engineering with the R121 190 SL of 1955, the Ponton was a stylish sedan with a four-cylinder engine. A larger-engined W121 190 appeared in 1958.

W110 (1961)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz W110.

Mercedes added tailfins to both the big S-Class and the new W110 'Fintail' 190 of 1962. In the 1965 230 model a Straight-6 engine appeared for the first time, and the four-cylinder engine grew in displacement.

W114, W115 (1968)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz W114/W115.

The midsize Mercedes was redesigned in 1968 as the W114/W115 'Stroke-8'. This time, the 6-cylinder models (The W114s) were most prevalent, with the W115 line making up the bottom of the company's offerings with four- and five-cylinder power. Diesel engines joined the line-up, as did a coupé body.

W123 (1975)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz W123.

The popular W123 quickly became a best-seller on its launch in 1976. Especially in diesel powered 200D and 240D (also the five-cylinder 300D) guises, the cars enhanced the company's reputation for product quality. Over 2.6 million were produced until the end of production in 1986. Saloon/Sedan, Coupé, and Estate body configurations were offered.

W124 (1984)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz W124.

The W124 was presented in November 1984 and introduced several new standards for a mid-size Mercedes. It was the third car to inherit the company's new design theme since the late 1970s, following the flagship W126 and compact W201.

Similar to its predecessors, the W124 also offered a coupé and estate body styles. A new convertible (internally A124) was also available, making it the first mid-size Mercedes convertible.

E-Class

First generation (W124; 1993)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz W124. The "E-Class" name first appeared with the facelifted W124 in 1993 for the model year 1994 (the W124 was introduced in 1984 but continued with the older naming convention until 1993 when all Mercedes-Benz models switched to a new system, e.g. E 320 instead of 300 E). The diesel versions continued to be the fuel economy option over the four and six-cylinder gasoline engines, and the gasoline V8 engines (available after 1992) increased gasoline power outputs further. Four-cylinder gasoline models were not marketed in the United States. The V8-powered sedans/saloons were named 400 E/500 E from 1990 to 1993, and E 420/E 500 after 1993. Likewise, the 3.0-liter cars (e.g. 300 E) were also re-badged to E 320 with the new 3.2-liter M104 engines and naming rationalization of 1994. For the diesel models, the name change was less elegant, with the 250 D becoming the E 250 Diesel for example.

Sedan (W124), Coupé (C124), Convertible (A124), and Estate (S124) body configurations were offered.

Second generation (W210; 1994)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210). The W210 E-Class, launched in January 1995, brought the line firmly into the upper end of the mid-size luxury market.

The E-class made major changes compared to the earlier version of the E-class, including four large oval headlights, which gave Mercedes an updated image intended to attract more younger buyers and women. The new E-class was 1.6inches longer and 2.3inches wider and offered significantly more interior room but was still considered mid-size.[5] [6]

In September 1999, the W210 E-class was facelifted. This included visual, mechanical, and quality improvements over the earlier versions.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1996.

While the W210 sedan was replaced by the W211 in 2002, the wagon version continued to be sold until March 2003 when the S211 wagon returned the S210 wagon.

Third generation (W211; 2002)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211). Launched in 2002, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model.

The W211-based C219 CLS-Class 4-door coupe was introduced as a niche model in 2005, primarily to attract a younger demographic.

The W211 E-Class was facelifted in June 2006 for the 2007 model year to address quality and technical issues raised by earlier models, Sensotronic was dropped, while Pre-Safe (w/o brake support) was made standard. The largest factory-built engine in the E-class range is the E500, which had its engine size increased from 5 liters to 5.5 liters in 2006 along with the facelift. There are also AMG models badged E55 and E63, AMG as well as other tuning house installations.

Fourth generation (2009)

Sedan and wagon (W212)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212). The W212 replaced the W211 in 2009 (as a 2010 model). Official photos of the W212 were leaked on the internet on 9 December 2008 ahead of its 2009 Geneva Motor Show unveiling.[7] Scans of a leaked brochure were posted onto the internet in January 2009, detailing the whole E-Class range including the new E 200 CGI and E 230 CGI with direct injected forced induction engines. New features included a blind spot monitor, Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-safe with Attention Assist, and Night View Assist Plus. In the United States the E-Class was priced nearly US$4,600 less than the previous model.[8] The W212 estate was also announced and available from November 2009.[9]

In 2013, the E-Class was comprehensively facelifted, featuring significant styling changes, fuel economy improvements, and updated safety features. Daimler invested close to €1 billion into the development of the extensive refresh, making it likely the most expensive mid-life facelift in the history of the automobile.[10] [11] The biggest change was the singular front lights replacing the twin headlamp design (marking the end of Mercedes's dual headlamps use) with integrated LED DRLs.[12] Although not an all-new model, the W212 facelift was the only mid-cycle refresh featured on a family portrait of several generations of the E-Class side by side by Mercedes-Benz for the unveiling of the W213 E-Class.[13] [14] While the factory has rated the E63S model at 577 hp/590 lb-ft, there is significant real-world dynamometer testing that indicates the AMG-tuned S model exceeds 600 hp at the flywheel.

Coupe and convertible (C207/A207)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (C207). The coupé (C207) was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, while the convertible (A207) was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.[15] [16] Both models replaced the previous C209/A209 CLK-Class models. The C207/A207 E-Class is based on the W204 C-Class platform, and is produced alongside each other in the Bremen plant.[17]

Fifth generation (W213; 2016)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W213). The fifth generation E-Class was unveiled at the 2016 North American International Auto Show.[18] This generation E-Class has design cues from the larger W222 S-Class and the smaller W205 C-Class.[19] While the W212 E-Class has tighter surface and harder edges, the new model is curvier and more flowing.[20]

Engine options for the W213 E-Class saw a major update, thanks to the switch to inline six-cylinder engines from the previous V6 engines,[21] along with a new generation of four-cylinder diesel engines, codenamed OM654, and existing four-cylinder petrol engines.[22]

The W213 E-Class is the second-most technologically advanced Mercedes after the new S-Class. The E-Class received the latest in autonomous driving technology for use at highway speeds, capable of piloting itself up to speeds of 130mph for up to 2 minutes. The system uses a complex array of motion sensors, radars, and cameras to scan the road ahead, and requires the driver's hands to be placed on the wheel at all times.[23] [24] This feature was also available on the fourth-generation Mercedes-AMG E 63 model.

In 2020, Mercedes-Benz introduced a facelift to the W213.

Sixth generation (W214; 2023)

See main article: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214).

The sixth generation E-Class debuted on April 25, 2023. Starting from this generation, coupés and convertibles will no longer bear the E-Class name. E-Class and C-Class coupés and convertibles will be spun off into their own CLE vehicle.[25]

Production and sales

YearProduction (sedan/estate/coupe/convertible) Sales
U.S.EuropeChina[26]
200144,445[27] 128,208
200242,598156,317
200355,683[28] 191,809
200458,954171,071
200550,383[29] 125,348
200650,195110,494
200748,950[30] 109,872
200838,57677,661
200943,072[31] 100,9478,200[32]
2010323,200 (208,400 / 44,400 / 49,600 / 20,800)[33] 60,922139,19240,760[34]
2011338,386 62,736[35] 129,96344,738
2012310,408 65,171 98,14236,385
201369,803 106,55936,836
2014- (257,571 / - / -)66,400[36] 99,56543,708
2015232,453[37] 55,888 84,771 57,853
2016304,200[38] 50,896 99,494
201751,312 127,638
201846,422117,906
2019107,453
202070,171
202153,654
202239,782

References

Bibliography

General

Workshop manuals

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: First new E-Class rolls off the production line in Sindelfingen.. 4 March 2016. 5 March 2016. 16 January 2017. https://archive.today/20170116141843/https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/mercedes-benz/classic/history/frist-new-e-class-rolls-off-the-production-line-in-sindelfingen/. live.
  2. Web site: The 2018 Mercedes E400 Coupe Is a Modern Take On an Old Formula. 15 March 2017. 16 March 2017. 17 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170317054728/http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/a32939/2018-mercedes-e400-coupe-first-drive/. live.
  3. Web site: Mercedes-Benz Deutschland – Sonderfahrzeuge – Taxi – E-Klasse . 2008-08-05 . . de . https://web.archive.org/web/20080917033105/http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/germany/mpc/mpc_germany_website/de/home_mpc/sonderfahrzeuge0/home/products/branch-solutions/taxi0/e-klasse.html . 2008-09-17 . dead .
  4. Web site: 2020-11-16. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Is the 2021 MotorTrend Car of the Year. 2020-11-20. MotorTrend. en. 2021-06-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20210619142814/https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/2021/mercedes-benz-e-class-2021-car-of-the-year/. live.
  5. News: 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Roadtest. Paul. Rik. Motor Trend. January 1, 1996. August 20, 2020. November 18, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181118102045/https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercedes-benz/e-class/1996/1996-mercedes-benz-e-class/. live.
  6. Web site: 1996-02 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. consumerguide.com. 22 July 2014. August 20, 2020. March 17, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190317014947/http://consumerguide.com/used/1996-02-mercedes-benz-e-class/. live.
  7. Web site: Mercedes E-Klasse: de eerste foto's . Autoscoops.eu . 2011-12-03 . dead . https://archive.today/20120718133502/http://www.autoscoops.eu/nieuws/2008/mercedes-e-klasse-de-eerste-fotos . 2012-07-18 .
  8. Web site: Joseph . Noah . Mercedes slashes nearly $5k off the list price of a new E-Class – Autoblog . Autoblog.com . 2009-04-05 . 2010-03-21 . 2010-07-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100729172622/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/04/mercedes-slashes-nearly-5k-off-the-list-price-of-a-new-e-class/ . live .
  9. Web site: 2010 Mercedes E-Class Estate, Intelligent (E)state-of-the-art . Carthusiast.com . 2009-08-06 . 2010-03-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110708122537/http://www.carthusiast.com/2010-mercedes-e-class-estate-intelligent-estate-of-the-art-1877.html . 2011-07-08 . dead .
  10. Web site: 2014 W212 and 2017 W213 Mercedes E-Class Sedans Spied Together [Video] ]. Mihnea Radu . autoevolution . 8 November 2014 . 2014-12-23 . 2014-12-23 . https://archive.today/20141223182705/http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2014-w212-and-2017-w213-mercedes-e-class-sedans-spied-together-video-88669.html . live .
  11. Web site: Mercedes-Benz E 350 W212 Facelift Gets Reviewed by Edmund's . Alex Oagana . autoevolution . 9 October 2013 . 2014-12-23 . 2014-12-23 . https://archive.today/20141223182610/http://www.autoevolution.com/news/mercedes-benz-e-350-w212-facelift-gets-reviewed-by-edmund-s-68614.html . live .
  12. Web site: New Mercedes E-Class promises to give rivals a rough ride . 13 June 2013 . 2015-12-15 . 2015-12-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151222103430/http://www.thechauffeur.com/new-mercedes-e-class-promises-to-give-rivals-a-rough-ride/ . live .
  13. Web site: 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exterior Inadvertently Shown in Official Pics . Cristian Gnaticov . 11 December 2015 . Carscoops . 15 December 2015 . 15 December 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151215035510/http://www.carscoops.com/2015/12/2017-mercedes-benz-e-class-exterior.html . live .
  14. Web site: 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class styling revealed in interior promo shots . CarAdvice.com.au . 2015-12-15 . 2015-12-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151215210911/http://www.caradvice.com.au/403102/2016-mercedes-benz-e-class-styling-revealed-in-interior-promo-shots/ . live .
  15. News: Geneva Motor Show debut for Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe. Motor Authority. 2018-05-05. en. 2018-05-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035001/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1032208_geneva-motor-show-debut-for-mercedes-benz-e-class-coupe. live.
  16. News: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet World Debut in Detroit. Motor1.com. 2018-05-05. en. 2018-05-05. https://web.archive.org/web/20180505205923/https://www.motor1.com/news/19514/2010-mercedes-benz-e-class-cabriolet-world-debut-in-detroit/. live.
  17. News: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath?. Autoblog. 2018-05-05. en. 2018-05-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20180506035011/https://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/19/2010-mercedes-benz-e-class-coupe-a-c-class-underneath/. live.
  18. Web site: Next generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan will likely debut in January 2016 at NAIAS [spy video] ]. Motor1.com . 2015-05-12 . 2015-05-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150513194251/http://www.worldcarfans.com/115051193606/next-generation-mercedes-benz-e-class-sedan-will-likely . live .
  19. Web site: 2016 Mercedes E-Class (W213) First Interior Spy Photos: S-CLass Inspiration . Mihnea Radu . autoevolution . 3 December 2014 . 2014-12-23 . 2014-12-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141223214649/http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2016-mercedes-e-class-w213-first-interior-spy-photos-s-class-inspiration-89573.html . live .
  20. Web site: 2016 Mercedes E Class to world debut at NAIAS 2016 . 11 May 2015 . 2015-05-12 . 2015-05-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150512163851/http://indianautosblog.com/2015/05/2016-mercedes-e-class-naias-2016-178443#ixzz3ZsnOcVNY . live .
  21. Web site: Mercedes E-class (2016) spied: straight sixes are back! . CAR Magazine . 2015-04-22 . 2015-04-22 . https://archive.today/20150422175722/http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/spy-shots/mercedes-benz/mercedes-e-class-2016-spied-straight-sixes-are-back/ . live .
  22. Web site: 2016 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - engines and launch date . Greg Kable . autocar.co.uk . 2015-10-16 . 2015-07-26 . https://archive.today/20150726151952/http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/2016-mercedes-benz-e-class-spotted-engines-and-launch-date . live .
  23. Web site: 2016 Mercedes E-Class will be capable of autonomous driving . PerformanceDrive . 10 June 2015 . 2015-06-29 . 2015-06-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150615011411/http://performancedrive.com.au/2016-mercedes-e-class-will-be-capable-of-autonomous-driving-1020/ . live .
  24. Web site: Mercedes-Benz says autonomous technology is imminent, could debut on 2016 E-Class . Worldcarfans . 2015-04-22 . 2015-04-23 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150423130327/http://www.worldcarfans.com/115042292626/mercedes-benz-says-autonomous-technology-is-imminent . live .
  25. Web site: 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class teased ahead of April 25 debut . 2023-04-11 . Motor Authority . en . 2023-04-10 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230410211424/https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1139285_2024-mercedes-benz-e-class-teased-ahead-of-april-25-debut . live .
  26. 2011-2014 China sales only include locally produced versions, exclude imported versions.
  27. Web site: Mercedes-Benz USA Records Highest Sales in Its History. – Free Online Library . Thefreelibrary.com . 2003-01-03 . 2011-12-03 . 2014-02-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140221202108/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/403.htm . live .
  28. Web site: 2004 Highest Year on Record for Mercedes-Benz USA . Theautochannel.com . 2010-03-21 . 2013-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130801083017/http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2005/01/04/313903.html . live .
  29. Web site: Mercedes-Benz Rings in the New Year with Record 2006 Sales . Theautochannel.com . 2010-03-21 . 2013-08-01 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130801081817/http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2007/01/03/032870.html . live .
  30. Web site: Mercedes-Benz USA's Sales Drop 32.1 Percent in December 2008 | eMercedesBenz – The Unofficial Mercedes-Benz Weblog . eMercedesBenz . 2009-01-05 . 2010-03-21 . https://archive.today/20120729125348/http://www.emercedesbenz.com/Jan09/05_001548_Mercedes_Benz_USA_Sales_Drop_32_Percent_In_December_2008.html . 2012-07-29 . dead .
  31. Web site: Highest Sales Month for the Year at 21,469 Brings Mercedes-Benz to an... – MONTVALE, N.J., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ . New Jersey . Prnewswire.com . 2011-12-03 . 2013-06-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130604224056/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/highest-sales-month-for-the-year-at-21469-brings-mercedes-benz-to-an-18-percent-increase-for-2010-112881769.html . live .
  32. Web site: Mercedes-Benz China Homepage – 2010 News – A Record-Breaking Year: Mercedes-Benz Concludes 2009 with Unprecedented Sales . Mercedes-benz.com.cn . 2010-01-11 . 2011-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407115337/http://www.mercedes-benz.com.cn/content/china/mpc/mpc_china_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/passengercars_world/news/2010news/A_Record-Breaking_Year.html . 2014-04-07 . dead .
  33. Web site: Successful Year for Mercedes-Benz: Sales Up 15 Percent Worldwide in 2010 | Daimler > Investor Relations > Capital Market Releases . Daimler . 2011-12-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20111002044940/http://www.daimler.com/dccom/0-5-7171-1-1359454-1-0-0-0-0-0-12037-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0.html . 2011-10-02 .
  34. Web site: Mercedes-Benz China Homepage – 2011 News – 115% Growth – Mercedes-Benz Remains China's Fastest Growing Premium brand in 2010 . Mercedes-benz.com.cn . 2011-12-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407115341/http://www.mercedes-benz.com.cn/content/china/mpc/mpc_china_website/enng/home_mpc/passengercars/home/passengercars_world/news/2011_News/115_Growth_Mercedes-Benz_Remains_China_s_Fastest_Growing_Premium_brand_in_2010.html . 2014-04-07 . dead .
  35. Web site: Mercedes-Benz USA Hits Its Highest-Ever U.S. Volume With Sales of 305,072 . Mercedes-Benz USA . 3 January 2013 . prnewswire.com . 10 March 2013 . 9 January 2017 . https://archive.today/20170109120838/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-usa-hits-its-highest-ever-us-volume-with-sales-of-305072-185567602.html . live .
  36. Mercedes-Benz Delivers Record-Breaking 2014 Sales Volume of 330,391, Up 5.7% . . . 2015-01-05 . 2015-06-18 . 2015-01-12 . https://archive.today/20150112014859/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mercedes-benz-delivers-record-breaking-2014-sales-volume-of-330391-up-57-300015788.html . live .
  37. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-07 . 2016-12-27 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161227130826/https://www.daimler.com/documents/investors/nachrichten/kapitalmarktmeldungen/daimler-ir-release-en-20160108.pdf . dead .
  38. Web site: Archived copy . 2017-05-07 . 2017-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170329035241/http://www.daimler.com/documents/investors/reports/annual-report/daimler/daimler-ir-annualreport-2016.pdf . live .

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