New models - Mercedes-Benz - E-class - sedan rangeAIMS: Mercedes lifts E-class efficiencyBenz cuts E-class diesel thirst by up to 16 per cent with new auto and idle-stop4 Jul 2011 MERCEDES-Benz has trimmed the fuel consumption of its E-class four-cylinder BlueEfficiency sedan models by up to 16 per cent by upgrading to a new seven-speed automatic transmission and introducing idle-stop in a powertrain update. Announced at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne, the changes bring the E-class into line with the newly released C-class powertrains, but also result in a lift in prices on some models to cover the cost of the slicker shifter – replacing the current five-speeder – and other tweaks. The most efficient E-class, the 2.2-litre 150kW diesel E250 CDI BlueEfficiency, now gets a claimed combined fuel economy rating of 5.1 litres per 100km, down from 5.9L/100km. This pips the best BMW 5 Series fuel performance, 5.2L/100km by the 520d with its eight-speed auto, while also beating the majority of Australia’s most fuel-efficient petrol light cars, such as the Holden Barina Spark (5.6L/100km) and Toyota Yaris (6.0L/100km). Mercedes’ entry-level E-class diesel, the 125kW E220 CDI BlueEfficiency, also gets a reduced thirst, now achieving 5.2L/100km – an improvement of 0.7L/100km over the superseded powertrain. Both of these engines get idle-stop, along with other fuel-saving technologies such as a self-regulating turbo compressor and optimised oil pressure control and engine belt drive. The entry-level four-cylinder petrol E-class, the 1.8-litre E250 BlueEfficiency, also benefits from the new seven-speeder, cutting the combined fuel consumption by five per cent to 7.2L/100km (previously 7.3L/100km). Mercedes-Benz claims the new transmission – 7G-Tronic Plus – is not only more efficient, partly due to low-viscosity transmission oil and low friction bearings and seals, but also smoother. The only other changes to these three models are a new steering column-mounted transmission selector and gear-change paddles, and a full-colour LCD display in the instrument cluster capable of showing three-dimensional graphics. All four-cylinder power and torque outputs remain the same at 125kW/400Nm for the E220 CDI, 150kW/500Nm for the E250 CDI and 150kW/310Nm for the E250. The price of the E220 CDI goes up from $83,300 to $84,800, while the E250 CDI rises from $89,400 to $101,005. The petrol E250 climbs from $95,300 to $97,780. New V6 and V8 powertrains are also in the pipeline for the E-class in September. Also at the motor show, Mercedes showed a special-build CLS 63 AMG, loaded with more than $50,000 of options that lift the potential price to about $330,000 (plus on-roads). Cloaked in stunning Designo red paint – about $30,000, if you can convince Benz to do one for you – and carbon-fibre exterior trim – another $10,800 – the one-off car is representative of what cashed-up Benz buyers can achieve with the long options list of the new second-generation CLS four-door ‘coupe’ that is making its public debut at the show. Among the other extras applied to the CLS 63 AMG – which has a standard list price of $263,500 – are the extra-oomph AMG Performance Package ($17,900), carbon-fibre interior trim ($6900), Night View Assist Plus safety device ($3500), special 19-inch forged alloy wheels (price unknown) and tyre-pressure monitoring ($850). Other Benz models getting their first Australian show airing in Melbourne are the C-class coupe – including the 63 AMG version – and new third-generation SLK roadster that arrives in Australian showrooms in August with a starting price lopped by $10,000.
Read moreAll new modelsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chery Brabham Chrysler Chevrolet Cupra Citroen DS Dodge Fiat Ferrari Foton Ford Great Wall FPV Haval GWM Honda Holden Hyundai HSV Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Pagani Opel Porsche Peugeot Ram Proton Rolls-Royce Renault Saab Rover Smart Skoda Subaru SsangYong Tesla Suzuki Volkswagen Toyota Volvo E-class pricing
Motor industry news |
|
Facebook Twitter Instagram