Mercedes-Benz E-Class Facelift

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More dynamic, safer, more powerful and even better value-for-money

After four years in production and around a million vehicles sold, Mercedes-Benz is presenting
the new generation of its world-beating E-Class. Some 2000 parts in the E-Class are new or
further developments. The Saloon and Estate boast new bodystyling, which is even more
dynamic, poised and assured than before. The E-Class is once again setting the benchmark
as the technology trendsetter. No other car in this market segment can match the range of
safety innovations including PRE-SAFE®, Intelligent Light System, NECK-PRO head restraints
and adaptive brake lights. These extensive safety features make the E-Class the safest car in
its class. The DIRECT CONTROL package, with more direct steering and a retuned
suspension, and six new or enhanced engines take agility and driving pleasure to new
heights. Maintaining the same level of fuel economy, these engines develop up to 26 percent
more output and 18 percent more torque. The prices for the four and six-cylinder models
remain unchanged despite the more extensive standard specification.

The E-Class was the No. 1 archetypal executive saloon in Western Europe in 2005,
accounting for 30 percent of the market. In Germany 38 percent of all buyers of premium
models chose the E-Class Saloon, helping maintain the Saloon’s position as German market
leader for four years running. Worldwide Mercedes-Benz has sold around a million vehicles
from the current E-Class line-up since spring 2002 - 860,000 Saloons and 140,000 Estates.

For over 60 years the E-Class and its predecessors have been the “heart” of Mercedes-Benz,
representing basic brand values like safety, comfort, innovation, economy and quality. Since
1946 Mercedes-Benz has delivered some ten million luxury sedans to customers all over
the world.

In June 2006 the E-Class will be unveiled with an even more dynamic concept, additional
pioneering innovations and an upgraded standard specification.



29 model variants will be available - 16 Saloons and 13 Estates. As such, Mercedes-Benz will
be offering the largest, most varied model range in this market segment. With outputs ranging
from 100 kW/136 hp to 378 kW/ 514 hp, the new generation E-Class outpaces the previous
model range (90 kW/122 hp to 350 kW/476 hp) and its competitors.



A revamped front-end design reflects the dynamism, power, poise and assurance of the new
generation E-Class. The bumper and radiator grille feature a pronounced V-shape, which
epitomises power and forward motion. Mercedes Benz has enhanced the familiar twin-
headlamp face of the E-Class by adding transparent louvres to the top section of the
headlamps, producing a striking light effect when switched on. And for the first time white
LEDs have been used as parking lights. Mercedes-Benz has further accentuated the dynamic
appearance of the E Class on all model variants with side skirts and rear bumper in the
AVANTGARDE design.



Inside, the new generation model differs from the outgoing model with new eye-catching
colours, a new four-spoke steering wheel featuring elliptical thumb-operated buttons and a
new control unit for the standard-fit THERMATIC automatic climate control. The Mercedes
designers have also redefined the coordinated colour schemes, upholstery and materials; for
the AVANTGARDE line in particular there are two new colours (cognac brown and sahara
beige), which add an extra touch of refinement in conjunction with the black roof lining.



Safety: setting the standards in the premium segment with PRE-SAFE® and other innovations

Pioneering innovations help the E-Class continue to set the pace of passenger car safety in its
market segment: Saloon and Estate are equipped as standard with the anticipatory PRE-
SAFE® system whose “reflexes” respond before an impending collision by activating
protection measures for the driver and front passenger. As a result, the seatbelt and airbag
provide maximum protection in the event of a collision. PRE-SAFE®, a world first which went
into series production in the S-Class in 2002 and since then has received numerous
international awards, heralds the start of a new era in vehicle safety. No other premium-class
model can offer this kind of anticipatory protection system.



The standard-fit NECK-PRO head restraints on the E-Class are equally unique. During a
rear impact the sensor-controlled head restraints are moved forward to provide protection for the driver’s and front passenger’s heads within milliseconds. The crash-responsive head
restraints prevent the upper spinal column from bending as a result of the accident, reducing
the risk of whiplash injuries, one of the most common accident injuries costing around eight
billion euros annually in the European Union.



Mercedes-Benz is fitting the new generation E-Class with flashing brake lights to prevent
rear-end collisions. They warn the drivers behind more effectively than conventional brake
lights when there is a risk of an accident. Tests conducted by Mercedes engineers show that
the drivers’ braking reaction time can be shortened on average by up to 0.2 seconds if a
flashing warning light is used during emergency braking. As a result, the braking distance can
be reduced by 5.50 metres at 100 km/h.

Mercedes-Benz has also consistently fine-tuned the occupant safety features on the E-
Class. The Saloon and Estate meet the most stringent international crash standards such as
the U.S. 80 km/h rear impact test or the new U.S. side crash test, which simulates a collision
with a heavy off-road vehicle. To date, the E-Class has completed some 330 crash tests as
part of ongoing improvements to vehicle safety.



Intelligent Light System: world premiere of new headlamp technology

The new generation E-Class is the first vehicle to feature adaptive headlamps, which respond
to the prevailing driving and weather conditions providing a significant improvement in driving
safety. The Intelligent Light System, available as an option for the Saloon and Estate, is
based on the powerful bi-xenon headlamps and includes five different lighting functions: the
new country mode provides brighter, further illumination of the offside verge than the previous
low-beam headlamps. Here the driver’s range of vision is increased by around ten metres,
which allows him to recognise other road users or obstacles earlier in the dark. The motorway
mode, activated automatically at speeds above 90 km/h, produces an even light cone that
extends to a range of up to 120 metres, illuminating the entire road width. In the centre of this
light cone the driver can see around 50 metres further. Thanks to the enhanced fog lamps,
also part of the new Intelligent Light System, Mercedes-Benz has also improved orientation in
fog whilst reducing backglare.

The engineers in Sindelfingen have further developed and improved the Active Light System,
which Mercedes-Benz unveiled in the E-Class in spring 2003. Another component of the
Intelligent Light System is the cornering light function, which provides enhanced safety when
turning at intersections or taking bends slowly.

Diesel engines: noticeably more output from the four-cylinder engines

Six of the 10 engines in the new generation E-Class are new or further developments. They
provide up to 60 kW/82 hp more output and up to 70 Nm more torque. Nonetheless the fuel
consumption figures remain on a par with the exemplary level of the outgoing models: one
in three Mercedes models sporting an “E” on the model badge uses less than eight litres of
fuel per 100 kilometres; the average fuel consumption of all body and drive variants in the line-
up from the E 200 CDI to the E 500 is just nine litres per 100 kilometres. As such, the E Class
will continue to build on one of its outstanding features: economy.

The Mercedes engineers have optimised the four-cylinder diesel engines in the E 200
CDI and E 220 CDI right down to the last detail. Over 90 components in the CDI engines are
new or further developments. All these measures add up to a substantial advance in terms of
output, torque and smoother running. While fuel consumption remains consistently low at just
6.3 litres per 100 kilometres, the output of the E 200 CDI has been increased by 10 kW/14 hp
to 100 kW/136 hp. Maximum torque has been increased from 270 to 340 Nm.

Balancer shafts in the crankcase, standard specification also on the E 200 CDI, provide the
sort of smooth-running characteristics more readily associated with a six-cylinder engine.

The new E 220 CDI develops a maximum output of 125 kW/170 hp and maximum torque of
400 Nm, around 14 and 18 percent respectively more than the outgoing model. Fuel
consumption remains at the same low level of 6.3 litres per 100 kilometres (Estate: 7.1 l/100
km). Meanwhile the new six-cylinder diesel engine in the E 320 CDI (165 kW/ 224 hp)
now provides even more torque: peak torque has been increased from 510 to 540 Nm.

In the USA the E-Class in the guise of the E 320 CDI since 2004 is the first diesel model in the
premium-class segment in the USA. From model year 2007 Mercedes-Benz intends to launch
the first diesel production vehicle in the USA with the trailblazing BLUETEC technology,
which will provide further remarkable reductions in nitrogen oxide emissions. The future E 320
BLUETEC will be the world’s cleanest diesel, using 20 to 40 percent less fuel than
comparable petrol-engined vehicles. In Europe Mercedes-Benz plans to launch BLUETEC in a
passenger car model by 2008.

Petrol engines: more powerful supercharged engine and new eight-cylinder engine

When it came to the petrol engines, the Mercedes engines paid particular attention to the
four and eight-cylinder variants. The four-cylinder engine in the E 200 KOMPRESSOR
delivers 12.5 percent more output than before: 135 kW/184 hp. At the same time, maximum
torque has been increased to 250 Nm.

From mid-2006, the E-Class engine range will be headed by the newly developed 5.5-litre
eight-cylinder engine from the S-Class with an output of 285 kW/388 hp. Compared with
the previous V8, the new engine delivers 26 percent more output. At 530 Nm the torque also
comfortably exceeds the maximum for the preceding engine by around 15 percent. The new E
500 delivers the performance profile of a sports car: the Saloon accelerates from 0 to 100
km/h in just 5.3 seconds, 0.7 seconds faster than the previous E 500.

The new E 63 AMG from the Mercedes-AMG stable is fitted with a naturally aspirated V8
engine delivering 378 kW/514 hp and maximum torque of 630 Nm. The E 63 AMG is the most
powerful E-Class of all times.

DIRECT CONTROL: package for even more dynamic driving pleasure

The new generation of the successful Mercedes model series looks more dynamic, delivers
more power and also offers even more agile handling. DIRECT CONTROL makes this
possible: with this standard-fit package the Mercedes engineers have made remarkable
progress in terms of handling dynamics, without compromising the combination of safety and
long-distance comfort, the consistent hallmark of the E-Class Saloon and Estate.

Increasing the direct steering by around 10 percent makes the E Class more responsive
to steering movements. Nonetheless the E-Class continues to reassure drivers with its
superb handling safety and stability. Newly developed spring link bearings also support lateral
forces more effectively when cornering and enhance the neutral cornering characteristics of
the Saloon and Estate still more. The ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE models also come with
rebound buffer springs, which effectively limit body roll when cornering. The DIRECT
CONTROL package also includes a new gearshift linkage system for the six-speed manual
transmission for high gearshifting comfort and precision.

The ADAPTIVE BRAKE system is taken from the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and
provides new safety and comfort features thanks to the electronic control of the hydraulic dual-
circuit brakes. An automatic tyre pressure loss warning system also forms part of the extended
standard equipment on the E-Class.