German luxury car maker Mercedes Benz, on Tuesday, launched its
new E-Class sedan in the country, within six months of its global launch.The
new E-Class, which comes with 2,000 new parts and components, will be available
in petrol and diesel options. While the 200 CGI (petrol) will be priced at
Rs.41.5 lakh, the E 250 CDI Avantgarde (Diesel) will be available for Rs.44.48
lakh.The company is also offering a special launch edition of the new E-Class
at Rs.49.9 lakh. E-Class has been the company’s flagship model and with the
launch of the new model, the company expects sales to grow further.Globally, 11
million units have been sold across five generations of the E-Class and in
India about 23,000 units already on the roads since it was launched here in
1995While Mr. Kern did not comment on the exact numbers expected from the new
E-Class, he said Mercedes-Benz India had been able to grow total sales by 5.3
per cent in the first quarter of 2013 to over 2,000 units.Overall, the company
was targeting a double-digit growth in sales this year from a total of 7,138
units sold last year, he added.Stating that India was an important market for
the company, Mercedes-Benz said it was also looking at reducing the time gap
between global showcase of a new model and its launch in India.There is nothing quite subtle about the design evolution of
the new Mercedez benZ-Class,
and this becomes evident right up front. The aggressively styled front bumper,
a softer nose and that split headlamp design (now dotted with daytime running
LED lamps), adds further flair to this mainstream luxury sedan. Available
in three variants, the new E-Class sports a starting price of Rs 41.5 lakh for
the E200 CGI petrol variant, Rs 44.48 lakh for the E250 CDI and Rs 49.9 lakh
for a special launch edition.
What’s New
For the first time E-Class buyers can opt for a grille with the Central Star design. At the rear, the LED tail lights with fibre optics integration are a significant improvement from the earlier version. The interiors have been further refined. Nappa leather upholstery, a trapezoid-shaped high-gloss information display as part of its re-designed centre console, a panoramic sunroof and even a new multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles has made the revised E-Class cabin one to envy even amidst its core competitors.Overall safety standards have been raised a fair bit on the newer E-Class model, offering a combination of eight airbags, brake assist system, standard pre-safe technologies, an active bonnet mechanism, acceleration skid control (ASR) and electronic stability program. The active parking assist feature however is a significant new addition to the E-Class in 2013, and this will certainly improve the overall convenience factor, especially within city limits.
All The Same
What does remain largely untouched on the new E is the standard 2.2 litre 4 cylinder diesel engine producing 204PS @4,200 rpm and 500Nm torque @1,600-1,800 rpm. A top speed of 242 km/h (acclaimed) and 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds means its 1,800 kg kerb weight isn't exactly slowing it down.
Market Wise
The launch of the Mercedes-Benz E200 CGI model at a price of Rs 41.5 lakh and E250 CDI Rs 44.48 lakh should help the German car maker further improve its domestic sales and in doing so perhaps even provide the necessary boost for it to retain the No 1 spot in India's burgeoning luxury car space.Mercedes-Benz said it expects India to be among its top 10 global markets by 2020, as it continues to bring latest models and spread sales network in the country. "Today the Indian market is not in the top 10 global markets in terms of volumes for Mercedes, but we believe in the potential of the market. Our expectation is that it will be in the top 10 by 2020," Mercedes-Benz India managing director and CEO Eberhard Kern said. Of the total, the share of the luxury segment will be 4 per cent by 2020, as compared to 1.2 per cent last year, he added. "So the potential is huge in India and we are preparing ourselves for the future, although 2013 will not be a good year for the auto sector here," Kern said. Mercedes-Benz' E-Class lineup combines all of the virtues typically associated with the three-pointed star brand - luxury, performance and cutting-edge technology - in an appealing midsize package. Notable in the past for its understated visual presence, the E-Class was recently updated with sleeker styling, impressive new safety systems and more.Along with the sedan discussed herein, the E-Class is available in wagon, cupe and convertible bodystyles.Hybrid E400 and High performance E63 derivatives are also offered, and an ultra-efficient four-cylinder turbodiesel will be added to the model range in the coming months.While it continues to feature a formal roofline and a traditional three-box sedan shape, the E-Class has been updated with a number of stylistic revisions that give it a more-eye catching appearance than before. In place of the quad headlights that have adorned every E-Class since the W210, the facelifted model sports simplified single-piece units with a more streamlined look. The vintage-inspired but busy "pontoon" rear fenders have also been axed in the name of simplicity.Two different front-end treatments are available - the old-school Luxury model wears an elegant three-slat grille with a small Mercedes emblem protruding from the hood, while the Sport variant receives a more aggressive two-slat unit with an oversized badge. Sport models also use an AMG-designed body kit and sit on a stiffened and lowered suspension.Inside, things are as plush and refined as ever, with generous amounts of wood and chrome trim creating a decadent environment. Notable new touches include a revised steering wheel, a classy, Art Deco-inspired clock and a reworked center stack with more intuitive controls. Mercedes' COMAND infotainment system remains; controlled either by voice commands, a central knob or steering wheel-mounted buttons, it integrates the sedan's audio, navigation and Bluetooth-based connectivity functions into a single unit - a seven-inch display screen mounted on the dashboard.An optional mbrace system adds a host of cloud-based goodies, including a concierge service, location-based traffic and weather updates, stolen vehicle location assistance, automatic collision notification and more. Available apps add internet browsing, Google local search with street view, Yelp reviews, Facebook access and news reports. Owners can even use an mbrance smartphone app to remotely lock, unlock or locate their E-Class.A wide variety of optional extras can be spec'd to enhance the E-Class experience, including premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 14-speaker Harman/kardon surround sound system and a rear seat video entertainment system.
Powertrains and Handling
The standard E-Class sedan can be had in E350 or E550 forms.The entry-level E350 utilizes a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the E550 packs a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 with 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.Both engines hook up to a smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission. The E350 comes with rear-wheel-drive as standard with Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel-drive available as an option; all E550s are fitted with AWD.Fuel economy is rated at 21 city/30 highway mpg for the E350, 21 city/29 highway for the E350 4MATIC and 17 city/26 highway mpg for the E550.As one would expect, Luxury models feature comfort-focused suspension tuning, while a tauter setup is used for the Sport. Updates to both result in a slightly firmer ride with better body control, although the E-Class remains more of a coddling cruiser than a sport sedan.
Standard and Optional Features
Notable standard features include a power sunroof, real wood trim, MB Tex leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control 14-way power adjustable front seats and a COMMAND infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen.There is no lack of optional features available on the E-Class for those seeking an extra touch of luxury.The Premium One Package nets a navigation system with a 10 GB music register, a harmon/kardon surround-sound audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, an iPod/MP3 media interface, a power rear sunshade, a rear-view Camera, SIRIUS satellite radio with real-time traffic service, enhanced voice control, ZAGAT Survey restaurant guide and Gracenote media database.The Lighting Package brings full-LED headlamps with Active Curve Illimination, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, LED front turn indicators, a headlamp washing system and corner-illuminating front lamps.The Sport Styling Package adds an aggressive body kit, a two-bar grille, a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels and sport interior trim.Safety-focused kit includes the Lane Tracking Package, which includes Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, and the Driver Assistance Package, which includes Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, an active cruise control system with steering assist and Pre-Safe with Cross-Traffic Assist. For more info on these safety systems, scroll down to the "Occupant Safety" section.Highlights from the stand-alone options list include mbrace, a rear entertainment system with dual headrest-mounted LCD screens, a electronic trunk closer, a proximity key, a household-type 115V power outlet, an active multicontour driver's seat, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery and premium Nappa leather upholstery.
Occupant Safety
Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its safety features, and the E-Class will only add to that reputation. In addition to traction and stability control systems, the car boasts nine supplemental restraints including two-stage front air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags which work together with full-length side curtain and front side air bags (rear side units are optional) to provide extra protection for front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions.Also standard is an "ATTENTION ASSIST" system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.New for the latest model year is Collision Prevention Assist, which uses radar to determine whether the E-Class is in danger of colliding with a vehicle or object up ahead. Active at speeds above 20 mph, it automatically prepares the brakes to apply the ideal leveling of stopping power once the driver hits the pedal.Optional safety gear includes Active Lane Keeping Assist, a new technology that warns the driver if it detects that the E-Class is drifting into an adjacent lane and can apply steering inputs to remain on the proper course. Also available is Active Blind Spot Assist, which uses radar to detect if a vehicle is in the blind-spot area. It provides driver alerts and can also steer the car out of harm's way if the driver accidentally starts to merge into a vehicle.Pre-Safe Brake detects impending collisions and can automatically apply 100 percent of the E-Class' braking force to avoid or mitigate the severity of the crash. It also includes Cross-Traffic Assist, which can detect potential collisions with vehicles approaching from either side of an intersection. Both are part of the Distronic Plus with Steering assist system, an active cruise control setup that can maintain a set distance from the car ahead and also keep the vehicle centered on straight roads or in gentle curves.
Key Competitors
Competing against the E-Class for the checkbooks of mid-size luxury sedan buyers are the MBW 5series, Audi A6, Jaguar Xs, Lexus Gs 350 and the Infinity M37 and M6
What’s New
For the first time E-Class buyers can opt for a grille with the Central Star design. At the rear, the LED tail lights with fibre optics integration are a significant improvement from the earlier version. The interiors have been further refined. Nappa leather upholstery, a trapezoid-shaped high-gloss information display as part of its re-designed centre console, a panoramic sunroof and even a new multifunction steering wheel with shift paddles has made the revised E-Class cabin one to envy even amidst its core competitors.Overall safety standards have been raised a fair bit on the newer E-Class model, offering a combination of eight airbags, brake assist system, standard pre-safe technologies, an active bonnet mechanism, acceleration skid control (ASR) and electronic stability program. The active parking assist feature however is a significant new addition to the E-Class in 2013, and this will certainly improve the overall convenience factor, especially within city limits.
All The Same
What does remain largely untouched on the new E is the standard 2.2 litre 4 cylinder diesel engine producing 204PS @4,200 rpm and 500Nm torque @1,600-1,800 rpm. A top speed of 242 km/h (acclaimed) and 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds means its 1,800 kg kerb weight isn't exactly slowing it down.
Market Wise
The launch of the Mercedes-Benz E200 CGI model at a price of Rs 41.5 lakh and E250 CDI Rs 44.48 lakh should help the German car maker further improve its domestic sales and in doing so perhaps even provide the necessary boost for it to retain the No 1 spot in India's burgeoning luxury car space.Mercedes-Benz said it expects India to be among its top 10 global markets by 2020, as it continues to bring latest models and spread sales network in the country. "Today the Indian market is not in the top 10 global markets in terms of volumes for Mercedes, but we believe in the potential of the market. Our expectation is that it will be in the top 10 by 2020," Mercedes-Benz India managing director and CEO Eberhard Kern said. Of the total, the share of the luxury segment will be 4 per cent by 2020, as compared to 1.2 per cent last year, he added. "So the potential is huge in India and we are preparing ourselves for the future, although 2013 will not be a good year for the auto sector here," Kern said. Mercedes-Benz' E-Class lineup combines all of the virtues typically associated with the three-pointed star brand - luxury, performance and cutting-edge technology - in an appealing midsize package. Notable in the past for its understated visual presence, the E-Class was recently updated with sleeker styling, impressive new safety systems and more.Along with the sedan discussed herein, the E-Class is available in wagon, cupe and convertible bodystyles.Hybrid E400 and High performance E63 derivatives are also offered, and an ultra-efficient four-cylinder turbodiesel will be added to the model range in the coming months.While it continues to feature a formal roofline and a traditional three-box sedan shape, the E-Class has been updated with a number of stylistic revisions that give it a more-eye catching appearance than before. In place of the quad headlights that have adorned every E-Class since the W210, the facelifted model sports simplified single-piece units with a more streamlined look. The vintage-inspired but busy "pontoon" rear fenders have also been axed in the name of simplicity.Two different front-end treatments are available - the old-school Luxury model wears an elegant three-slat grille with a small Mercedes emblem protruding from the hood, while the Sport variant receives a more aggressive two-slat unit with an oversized badge. Sport models also use an AMG-designed body kit and sit on a stiffened and lowered suspension.Inside, things are as plush and refined as ever, with generous amounts of wood and chrome trim creating a decadent environment. Notable new touches include a revised steering wheel, a classy, Art Deco-inspired clock and a reworked center stack with more intuitive controls. Mercedes' COMAND infotainment system remains; controlled either by voice commands, a central knob or steering wheel-mounted buttons, it integrates the sedan's audio, navigation and Bluetooth-based connectivity functions into a single unit - a seven-inch display screen mounted on the dashboard.An optional mbrace system adds a host of cloud-based goodies, including a concierge service, location-based traffic and weather updates, stolen vehicle location assistance, automatic collision notification and more. Available apps add internet browsing, Google local search with street view, Yelp reviews, Facebook access and news reports. Owners can even use an mbrance smartphone app to remotely lock, unlock or locate their E-Class.A wide variety of optional extras can be spec'd to enhance the E-Class experience, including premium Nappa leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, a 14-speaker Harman/kardon surround sound system and a rear seat video entertainment system.
Powertrains and Handling
The standard E-Class sedan can be had in E350 or E550 forms.The entry-level E350 utilizes a direct-injected 3.5-liter V6 produces 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, while the E550 packs a twin-turbocharged 4.7-liter V8 with 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.Both engines hook up to a smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic transmission. The E350 comes with rear-wheel-drive as standard with Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel-drive available as an option; all E550s are fitted with AWD.Fuel economy is rated at 21 city/30 highway mpg for the E350, 21 city/29 highway for the E350 4MATIC and 17 city/26 highway mpg for the E550.As one would expect, Luxury models feature comfort-focused suspension tuning, while a tauter setup is used for the Sport. Updates to both result in a slightly firmer ride with better body control, although the E-Class remains more of a coddling cruiser than a sport sedan.
Standard and Optional Features
Notable standard features include a power sunroof, real wood trim, MB Tex leatherette upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control 14-way power adjustable front seats and a COMMAND infotainment system with a 7-inch display screen.There is no lack of optional features available on the E-Class for those seeking an extra touch of luxury.The Premium One Package nets a navigation system with a 10 GB music register, a harmon/kardon surround-sound audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, an iPod/MP3 media interface, a power rear sunshade, a rear-view Camera, SIRIUS satellite radio with real-time traffic service, enhanced voice control, ZAGAT Survey restaurant guide and Gracenote media database.The Lighting Package brings full-LED headlamps with Active Curve Illimination, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, LED front turn indicators, a headlamp washing system and corner-illuminating front lamps.The Sport Styling Package adds an aggressive body kit, a two-bar grille, a sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels and sport interior trim.Safety-focused kit includes the Lane Tracking Package, which includes Blind Spot Assist and Lane Keeping Assist, and the Driver Assistance Package, which includes Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, an active cruise control system with steering assist and Pre-Safe with Cross-Traffic Assist. For more info on these safety systems, scroll down to the "Occupant Safety" section.Highlights from the stand-alone options list include mbrace, a rear entertainment system with dual headrest-mounted LCD screens, a electronic trunk closer, a proximity key, a household-type 115V power outlet, an active multicontour driver's seat, a panoramic sunroof, leather upholstery and premium Nappa leather upholstery.
Occupant Safety
Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its safety features, and the E-Class will only add to that reputation. In addition to traction and stability control systems, the car boasts nine supplemental restraints including two-stage front air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags which work together with full-length side curtain and front side air bags (rear side units are optional) to provide extra protection for front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions.Also standard is an "ATTENTION ASSIST" system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.New for the latest model year is Collision Prevention Assist, which uses radar to determine whether the E-Class is in danger of colliding with a vehicle or object up ahead. Active at speeds above 20 mph, it automatically prepares the brakes to apply the ideal leveling of stopping power once the driver hits the pedal.Optional safety gear includes Active Lane Keeping Assist, a new technology that warns the driver if it detects that the E-Class is drifting into an adjacent lane and can apply steering inputs to remain on the proper course. Also available is Active Blind Spot Assist, which uses radar to detect if a vehicle is in the blind-spot area. It provides driver alerts and can also steer the car out of harm's way if the driver accidentally starts to merge into a vehicle.Pre-Safe Brake detects impending collisions and can automatically apply 100 percent of the E-Class' braking force to avoid or mitigate the severity of the crash. It also includes Cross-Traffic Assist, which can detect potential collisions with vehicles approaching from either side of an intersection. Both are part of the Distronic Plus with Steering assist system, an active cruise control setup that can maintain a set distance from the car ahead and also keep the vehicle centered on straight roads or in gentle curves.
Key Competitors
Competing against the E-Class for the checkbooks of mid-size luxury sedan buyers are the MBW 5series, Audi A6, Jaguar Xs, Lexus Gs 350 and the Infinity M37 and M6
From @leftlanenews
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