MERCEDES-BENZ could be back with a vengeance with the all-new, W212-series E-class range. Following the template set by the highly successful current-generation C-class launched in 2007, the lower-end W212 models’ prices have been cut significantly while equipment, safety, efficiency and technology levels soar. With the opposition all fielding ageing large luxury sedans dating from the earlier part of this decade, the Stuttgart crew have created a new segment leader that promises to banish the reliability and quality woes of the previous E-class. And early signs are promising indeed
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E-class
Released: September 2004
Ended: June 2009
Family Tree: E-classSTUNG by mounting criticism and souring sales as a result of the earlier, post 2002 E-class’ reliability and quality woes, Mercedes introduced hundreds of changes designed to improve the range at the W211’s first and only facelift. More equipment was also added. The range included diesels (140kW/400Nm 3.0-litre E280 CDI), supercharged four-cylinder petrol (135kW/250Nm 1.8-litre E200 Kompressor), V6 petrol (170kW/300Nm 3.0-litre E280 and 200kW/350Nm 3.5-litre E350) and V8 petrol models (285kW/530Nm 5.5-litre E500 and 378kW/630Nm 6.2-litre E63 AMG), in sedan and Estate wagon varieties. The lower-end cars had their rear wheels driven via a five-speed automatic gearbox, while the V6, V6 CDI and V8s featured the improved 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission.
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