The first new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estates have arrived in Australia and
local deliveries have now commenced. The Estate launch follows on from the
successful local release of the E-Class Sedan and Coupe in August 2009. The
E-Class range will be complete in April 2010 with the release of the E-Class
cabriolet.
The first Australian 212-series E-Class estate model to be
released is the petrol V6-powered E 350. With a manufacturer’s list price of
$138,100 before on road costs, it is priced 2.4 percent lower than the model
it replaces and gains $8,400 in new standard equipment.
With
Mercedes-Benz, like many manufacturers, maintaining diligence with stock
post global financial crisis combining with Mercedes-Benz Australia enjoying
success with improved sales volumes, the entire first shipment is already
sold out.
Functional: top marks for load capacity and ease of
operation
One particularly special feature of the load
compartment management system is the option of opening the standard-fit
EASY-PACK tailgate automatically by using the ignition key or pressing the
handle if the car needs to be loaded from behind.
The
innovative "quickfold" system enables the rear 1/3:2/3-split seat backrests
to be folded down by a cable pull from the load compartment. Neither the
head restraints nor the rear-seat cushions need to be adjusted or folded
down beforehand in order to be able to do this and create a level loading
surface.
As another useful feature, either the left or right backrest
sections, or both together, can be folded down. This enables the rear seat
unit to be used also by passengers even when long and bulky items are being
carried. The backrest sections can also be unlocked and folded down from the
side, inside on the C-pillar.
It is now also much easier to use the
combined luggage compartment cover and retaining net, which is fitted as
standard. This has been attached at beltline level for the first time,
making it far simpler to install and remove in various positions, both from
within the luggage compartment itself as well as from the interior. At the
same time, it no longer interferes with the folding forward of the rear seat
backrests. When transporting large loads, the combined luggage compartment
cover and retaining net can also be secured to the folded backrests,
enabling the retaining net and cover to continue to be used.
With a
load capacity of up to 1950 litres, the new E 350 Estate
(length/width/height: 4895/1854/1512 millimetres) sets the standard in its
class. Apart from the load compartment capacity itself, other dimensions of
great practical importance, such as the rear aperture, rear sill height or
maximum load length, demonstrate the expertise of Mercedes-Benz in estate
car engineering.
It
is not only in the load compartment that the generous dimensions of the
preceding model have been improved even further in many respects. Two
examples in the interior illustrate this: the elbow width in the rear has
been increased by 51 millimetres to 1505 millimetres. Rear headroom with the
large tilting/sliding sunroof installed has also improved by 46 millimetres
to 1010 millimetres, and is almost as generous as in versions with no
sunroof (1012 mm).
An exemplary load management system is specified
as standard; for example, the automatically opening tailgate with automatic
lifting of the load compartment cover. When the tailgate is opened, the load
compartment cover is automatically raised to allow unobstructed loading and
unloading.
Also fitted as standard is the EASY-PACK folding load
compartment floor, which considerably increases the usable height of the
load compartment. It can be folded up and secured in various positions.
Standard equipment also includes the load securing net, which is
combined with the load compartment cover and secured discreetly at beltline
level. The optional folding bench seat for the load compartment - designed
to accommodate two additional passengers up to 50 kg in weight and 140 cm in
height - is also unique in this vehicle segment.
Safety: nine
airbags as standard, plus innovative driver assistance systems
Mercedes-Benz has consolidated its leadership in safety even further with
the new E-Class. Around one dozen new or improved driver assistance systems
help to prevent accidents or at least reduce the severity of the impact.
These include the standard ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, the
optional DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control and the PRE-SAFE®Brake, which is
able to initiate partial and full emergency braking autonomously. For the
first time, PRE-SAFE® is also able to use only the information received from
the short-range sensors in the front bumper to tension the front seat belts
at the last moment before an accident is recognised as unavoidable, thereby
reducing the loads on the driver and front passenger during the crash. In
addition, with the all-electric seats with memory function (standard
equipment) the front passenger seat is also adjusted into an optimum
position.
With
nine airbags fitted as standard, four seat-belt tensioners and belt-force
limiters plus NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints, the new E-Class
offers an even more extensive package of safety equipment than its
predecessor. The airbags, which can deploy in a matter of milliseconds in
the event of an accident, include two adaptive airbags for the driver and
front passenger, a kneebag for the driver, two sidebags in the front-seat
backrests and two large windowbags which extend from the A-pillar to the
C-pillar during a side impact. Pelvisbags for the front occupants are also
included for the first time. These reduce the loads acting on the pelvic
area, especially during a lateral collision. Sidebags are also fitted for
the rear seat passengers.
As a further safety innovation,
Mercedes-Benz equips the new E-Class Estate with self-adaptive belt force
limiters for the outer rear-seat passengers.
Like the Saloon and
Coupé, the Estate combines its own, elegant design with leadership in
safety, comfort, quality and practicality. A number of technical innovations
have been incorporated into the new E-Class which no other car in this class
is able to offer - from drowsiness detection and automatic emergency braking
when an accident is recognised as imminent, to Adaptive Highbeam Assist and
the active bonnet. Naturally the E 350 Estate also features all these
innovations. Self-levelling air suspension and unique new load compartment
management features are also highlights of the new Estate. This area also
comes equipped with a third row of seats, something unique among the
competition.
The E-Class Estate is seen as the founder of the premium
lifestyle estate segment, commencing more than 30 years ago. Since the
launch of the first Estate in 1977, more than one million customers have
discovered their enthusiasm for this most practical way of driving a
Mercedes luxury saloon. This success story is set to be continued by the
fifth generation of the E-Class Estate – at the same time following up on
the successful launch of the Sedan.
The performance of the Sedan and
Coupé in the 2009 AutoBild Design Awards shows how well the striking lines
of the E-Class have been received: more than 100,000 readers of the German
motoring publication voted the four-door model the most beautiful car in the
world, and gave the two-door model first place in the Coupé/Convertible
category.
Design: new Mercedes handwriting combined with
E-Class styling features
The new Estate immediately makes an
athletic and practical, but also serene and safe impression. Its distinctive
design character is based on the new Mercedes style, which had its debut in
the S-Class and is now also represented in the C-Class.
One of its
characteristics is the interplay between concave and taut surfaces, which
feature dynamic edges and structured contours.
The side view reveals
many new features, leaving no doubt about the identity of the new Estate.
The B- and C-pillars appear to merge into the background thanks to glossy,
black trim panels, making the entire side window area look like a single
unit. This leads to an expressive arch leading from the A-pillar to the
dramatic roof line and the downward-tapering D-pillar, all resting on the
athletic shoulder-line of the Estate.
The intriguing design of the
door sill panels, which are visually understated in the centre but feature a
prominent light-catching contour towards the wheel arches, accentuates the
dramatic overall effect of the side aspect. This is additionally emphasised
by the muscular, sweeping line on the rear section in front of the rear
wheel.
When forming the rear end, the Mercedes designers took care to
give expression to the great practicality of the new model. They did this by
emphasising horizontal lines, for example the band formed by the tail lights
and the chromed tailgate handle. The new LED tail lights are of two-part
design, and create a visual continuation of the side wall into the tailgate
itself. Both by day and night, their distinctive design is a recognition
factor for the new Estate. The D-pillar, which tapers downwards from the
roof to the beltline, contributes to the particularly large tailgate. The
E-Class Estate is the largest estate car in the premium segment, and it
makes no secret of the fact.
Suspension:
automatic self-levelling at the rear as standard
Outstanding
comfort on long journeys in the E 350 Estate is ensured by the newly
developed DIRECT CONTROL suspension, which features the adaptive damping
system as standard. The likewise standard self-levelling rear suspension
ensures that the Estate always remains at the same level, even when fully
loaded. The suspension setup of the Estate has also been adapted to suit the
modified body geometry, with slightly stiffer shock absorber settings and
torsion bar stabilisers. Without any penalty in road roar and tyre vibration
characteristics, this makes the Estate just as agile as the Sedan.
In
the interests of favourable axle kinematics, superior vibrational comfort
and improved safety, the lower link of the three-link front suspension with
McPherson struts consists of two separate elements which act as torque and
cross struts. In addition to precise wheel location, this design has the
particular advantage of compensating vibrations caused by tyre imbalances or
fluctuating brake forces better than rigid wishbones.
In the
interests of greater comfort and agility, the multi-link independent
suspension so successful for more than 25 years was re-engineered for use in
the new E-Class. Modifications included the front cross-bar of the axle
housing, which is now supported by the vehicle body over a wider area. This
reduces the forces transmitted into the passenger compartment, a comfort
feature that is particularly noticeable when crossing transverse joints in
the road surface.
Engine: strong and efficient performance
Powering the all-new E 350 Estate is the popular 3.5-litre V6
engine. This petrol-powered unit will be familiar to Australian customers;
it is available in both the E-Class sedan and Coupé. The engine produces
200kW of power and 350Nm of torque, consuming 9.9-litres/100km (according to
ADR 81/02).
Pricing
The all-new E 350 Estate has
a manufacturer’s list price of $138,100, 2.4 percent lower than the outgoing
E 350 Estate. In addition, the new model gains $8,400 in new standard
equipment.
The manufacturer's list price includes GST and luxury car
tax but excludes dealer delivery and on road costs such as registration
fees, stamp duty etc. Please contact your preferred authorised Mercedes-Benz
dealer for exact drive away pricing.
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