Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is an automobile made by DaimlerChrysler and sold under the Mercedes-Benz brand. The range, in Europe, starts with a 1.8 litre supercharged badged E200 Kompressor, followed by a 2.6 litre V6 badged E240. Other models include an E320 with a 3.2 litre V6, followed by an E500 with a 306 bhp (228 kW) 5.0 litre V8. The range is topped by a supercharged 5.5 litre 476 bhp (355 kW) V8 badged E55 AMG. There are also four diesel engines E200 CDI, E220 CDI, E280 CDI and E320 CDI.

On the American continent the range starts with the E320 CDI and E320 petrol followed by the E500 and E55 AMG. All these models are available in saloon and estate versions.

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.

The 300/E-Classes were built in:

• RWD: Sindelfingen, Germany
• 1986–1995 Wagons: Bremen, Germany
• 500E/E500/E55 AMG: Zuffenhausen, Germany
• 1998-present 4Matic- Magna Steyr, Graz, Austria

History

Ponton

See Mercedes-Benz W120 for details

The first modern midsize 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.

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.

Stroke-8

See Mercedes-Benz W114 for details

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 lineup, as did a coupe 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 as a purveyor of rugged and reliable cars. Over 2.3 million examples were produced through 1985.

W124

See Mercedes-Benz W124 for details

The "E-Class" name first appeared with the W124, launched in 1986. Though earlier gasoline models bore the "E" designator, the entire line was officially "the E-Class" now. The 300D continued to be the high-mileage option, but V8 engines (available after 1992) brought newfound power to the line. The cars were renamed from "300E" to "E300" with the naming rationalization of 1994.

W210

See Mercedes-Benz W210 for details

The W210 E-Class, launched in 1996, brought the midsize 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.

W211

See Mercedes-Benz W211 for details

Launched in 2003, the W211 E-Class continues the line's push upmarket. The W211-based W219 CLS-Class was new for 2005.

US 2005 E-Class Models

E-Class Sedans

All prices are MSRP for the US market in US Dollars

• 2005 E320 Sedan
  • $49,220
  • 3.2 L 18-valve V6
  • 221 hp (164.8 kW) @ 5600 rpm

• 2005 E320 CDI
  • $51,770
  • 3.2 L 24-valve I6 diesel
  • 201 hp (149.9 kW) @ 4200 rpm

• 2006 E350 Sedan (replaces gasoline E320 sedan starting early 2005)
  • $50,770
  • 3.5 L 24-valve V6
  • 268 hp (199.8 kW) @ 6000 rpm

• 2005 E500 Sedan
  • US$58,520
  • 5.0 L 24-valve V8 306 hp (228.2 kW) @ 5600 rpm

• 2005 E55 AMG
  • $81,520
  • AMG-built intercooled supercharged SOHC 5.4 L 24-valve V8
  • 476 hp (355 kW) @ 6100 rpm

E-Class Wagons

• 2005 E320 Wagon
  • $51,470
  • 3.2 L 18-valve V6
  • 221 hp (164.8 kW) @ 5600 rpm

• 2006 E350 Wagon (replaces the E320 wagon from early 2005-on)
  • $53,020
  • 3.5 L 24-valve V6
  • 268 hp (199.8 kW) @ 6000 rpm

• 2005 E500 4MATIC Wagon
  • $62,120
  • 5.0 L 24-valve V8
  • 302 hp (225.2 kW) @ 5600 rpm

• The E55 AMG wagon, previously only available in Europe, is being impoted into the United States on an extremely limited basis begining in the 2005 model year. Built per customer for the U.S. to gauge initial demand, it is expected that 20–80 will be brought to the United States for 2005

Competitors

The E-Class' market competitors include:

• Acura TL
• Audi A6
• BMW 5-Series
• Jaguar S-Type
• Lexus GS

Awards

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

External links

• Official site