|
|
|
|
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
|
| |
|
| |
- E-Class redirects here. For Chrysler's rebadged version of the Dodge 600 sold from 1983-1984, see Chrysler E-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive-size cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood for Einspritzung, (German for fuel injection); a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the engine nomenclature (e.g.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Mercedes-Benz E-Class' Start a new discussion about 'Mercedes-Benz E-Class' Answer questions from other users |
Encyclopedia
- E-Class redirects here. For Chrysler's rebadged version of the Dodge 600 sold from 1983-1984, see Chrysler E-Class.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive-size cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood for Einspritzung, (German for fuel injection); a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the engine nomenclature (e.g. 220E) in the 1950s. It was not until the launch of the facelifted W124 that the E was used as a prefix (i.e. E220) and the model referred to officially as the E-Class (or E-Klasse). Due to the E-Class' size and durability, the cars also frequently serve as taxis in European countries, and Mercedes-Benz offers a taxi specification as well as other special-purpose vehicles (e.g. police or ambulance modifications) from the factory.
General information
The 400E and 500E went into production on August 6, 1991, as 1992 models.
The 1994 E500 production ended on June 24, 1994.
Production of the 1995 E-Class W124 ended on May 23, 1995.
Production of the 1996 E-Class began on July 17, 1995.
Production of the 2002 E-Class ended on February 20, 2002.
Production of the 2003 E-Class began on May 13, 2002.
Through time the E-Class has been built in:
- RWD: Sindelfingen, Germany
- 1993-????, 2005-present: Thailand (by Thonburi Automotive Assembly Plant Co., Ltd.)
- 1995-present: Pune, India (for the Indian market) Joint-venture signed in 1994 with TELCO, India for manufacture of Mercedes Cars in India. First Indian made E220 bowed in 1995.
- 2006-present: Pekan, Malaysia (by Malaysia Truck and Bus Sdn Bhd (MTB) of DRB-HICOM)
- 2006-present: Iran (by Top Khodro, a joint venture with Iran Khodro Diesel, for the Iranian market)
History
W120 'Ponton'
- See Mercedes-Benz W120 for details
The first modern mid size Mercedes was the W120 'Ponton' 180 of 1953. Sharing its engineering with the R121 190SL of 1955, the Ponton was a stylish sedan with four-cylinder power. A larger-engined W121 190 appeared in 1958.
W110 'Fintail'
- See Mercedes-Benz W110 for details
Mercedes added tailfins to both the big S-Class and the new W110 'Fintail' 190 of 1962. Straight-6 power appeared for the first time in the 1965 230 model, and the fours grew in displacement that year as well.
W114/W115 'Stroke-8'
- See Mercedes-Benz W114 for details
The mid size 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
- See Mercedes-Benz W123 for details
The popular W123 quickly became a best-seller on its launch in 1977. Especially in Diesel 240D (and later 300D) guises, the cars enhanced the company's reputation for product quality. Over 2.3 million examples were produced until the end of production in 1985.
Saloon/Sedan, Coupé and Estate body configurations were offered.
W124
- See Mercedes-Benz W124 for details
The 'E-Class' name first appeared in the USA with the face-lifted W124 in 1994 (the w124 was introduced in the US in 1986 but continued with the older models naming convention until 1994, when all Mercedes Benz models switched to a new system i.e. E320 instead of 300E). The 300D continued to be the fuel economy option over the 4 and 6 cylinder gasoline engines, and the gasoline V8 engines (available after 1992) increased gasoline power outputs further. The V8 powered sedans/saloons were named 400E/500E from 1992-1993, and E420/E500 after 1993. Likewise, the 3-liter cars (e.g., '300E') where also re-badged to 'E320' with the new 3.2 litre engines and naming rationalization of 1994. For a short period Mercedes offered a limited production sport version of the W124, created with and assembled by Porsche. This was called the 500E.
Saloon/Sedan, Coupé, Convertible and Estate body configurations were offered.
W210
- See Mercedes-Benz W210 for details
The W210 E-Class, launched in 1996, brought the mid-size Mercedes firmly into the upper end of the luxury market. Though six-cylinder models were still offered for a time, the four-light front end and high prices moved the car upmarket.
In September 1999 the W210 E-class was facelifted. This included visual, mechanical and quality improvements over the earlier versions.
W211
- See Mercedes-Benz W211 for details
Launched in 2002, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model and was considered by the motoring media as an even more competitive offering to the long term rival BMW 5-Series (which previously was the preferred choice of the motoring media). Before North American sales began, the car was shown in the 2002 movie Men In Black II.
The W211-based W219 CLS-Class 4-door coupé was introduced as a niche model in 2005, primarily to attract a younger demographic.
The W211 E-Class was face lifted in 2006 to address quality and technical issues raised by earlier models. The largest factory built engine in the E-class range is the E500 (badged E550 in the U.S.) which had its engine size increased from 5 litres to 5.5 litres in 2006 along with the facelift. There is also an AMG model badged E63 AMG and other tuning house installations.
Mercedes-Benz introduced their BlueTec Diesel system to the E-Class at the 2006 North American International Auto Show as the E320 CDI BlueTec. BlueTec is a two-phase system for cleaning diesel emissions. The first phase makes the E320 CDI legal in 45 of the 50 United States (plus the District of Columbia). The second phase uses urea for further reductions to meet the more stringent standards of California, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont. Sales of E320 CDI BlueTec began in autumn 2006 as a 2007 model, but 50-state legal models with urea injection will not be introduced until the 2009 model year.
W212
- See Mercedes-Benz W212 for details
http://www.mercedes-benz.de/content/germany/mpc/mpc_germany_website/de/home_mpc/passengercars/home/new_cars/models/e-class/w212.flash.html#chapter=1
The W212 will replace the W211 in 2009. Official photos of the W212 have been leaked on the internet on the 9th December, 2008 ahead of its 2009 Geneva Motor Show unveiling. Scans of a leaked brochure have been 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 inducted engines.
Awards
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1996.
The Brabus E V12
German automotive tuner Brabus makes a modified E class with a modified version of the S600's V12 engine powering it. Sold as the Brabus E V12, it is the fastest four-door sedan in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records, until the introduction of the Brabus Rocket based on the CLS which is now the fastest four-door car in the world. The E V12 has a top speed of and a 0-60 mph acceleration time of 4.1 seconds.
US sales
| US Calendar Year | Sales |
|---|
| 2003 | 55,683 | | 2004 | 58,954 | | 2005 | 50,383 | | 2006 | 50,195 | | 2007 | 48,950 | | 2008 | 38,576 |
External links
|
| |
|
|
