2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: Fresh make-up for the star

Unlike many rival German brands, the most popular and best-selling model at Mercedes-Benz is in the intermediate category. Over the last 60 years, it has sold more than 10 million E-Class vehicles. The Stuttgart-based manufacturer decided to update its star for 2010 by producing progressive models that feature aesthetic touch-ups and mechanical refinement along with a more elegant, more modern, and definitely more comfortable passenger compartment. The engineers also took this opportunity to improve or offer electronic control systems that aim to reduce accidents.

Family resemblance

Model design generally follows a fairly strict rule with this manufacturer. First, the redesigned C-Class adopts many of the visual components of the luxurious S-Class. Then, once these two models are adapted to the current trends, an amalgam of their visual features are used to modify the E-Class sedan. In fact, the front wheel overhang has been substantially reduced on this model, its lateral panel lines have been accentuated and the rear bumper has been redesigned. Getting back to the front end, high beams are at the edges of the body while the regular headlights flank the also newly redesigned front grille. Moreover, there is a pretty sizable air intake under the bumper while the hood features a prominent central section that extends to the grille.

Basically, like the C-Class model, this sedan now has a much sportier shape than before. And it wasn’t just the exterior appearance of this car that received a makeover. A great deal of effort was made to design and create a passenger compartment that gives the impression of luxury while being simultaneously welcoming and comfortable. The dashboard has been redesigned to include a high resolution LCD screen linked to the COMAND system that controls not only the climate and audio systems but also the satellite navigation system. A great deal of care was taken to ensure high quality materials, with exotic woods and fine leathers. On several models, the steering wheel is even covered with Nappa leather. The seats, as always with this manufacturer, are still very comfortable and time was even taken to include special stitching in order to reduce fatigue on long trips. The three-spoke steering wheel is provided by AMG and either comes standard depending on the E550 model, or on option on the E350.

The steering wheel also features wheel-mounted gearshift buttons as part of the Direct Select system on all models except the E63 AMG.

To round out this tour of the passenger compartment, we should mention that the ambient lighting comes standard, as it does with the S-Class. As you’d expect, the driving position is flawless and the ergonomics practically set the standard. It is also noteworthy that the rear seats were more comfortable than before.

A new platform

Although the shape has not been transformed dramatically, it must be said that this sedan features a brand new platform, which helped the engineers lengthen the wheelbase by 20 mm, thereby adding precious millimetres to the rear leg room, while the overall length has grown by 16 mm. Moreover, the body is 32 mm wider, a figure that explains why shoulder and knee room has been improved at the same time. For the record, the front overhang is 24 mm smaller. Trunk capacity is 540 litres, just like it was for the previous model.

While the platform is brand new, the power trains have been brought back, but not before undergoing several modifications in order to improve their fuel consumption. All of the engines now have an alternator management system that helps to save a few millilitres while the power steering pump now works only when the steering wheel is engaged. There is a variable flow fuel pump and the axle ratios have been optimized for more favourable fuel consumption. Three engines will be offered initially: a 3.5-litre, 268-hp V6, a 5.5-litre, 382-hp V8, and finally, a thunderous 6.2-litre, 507-hp AMG engine.

And in the spring of 2010, the 3.0-litre, V6 turbodiesel with 210 horses and 400 lb-ft of torque will be available. The E350 and E550 models are equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission. The all-wheel drive 4Matic transmission comes standard, except on the E63. As for the E63 AMG, it is the only model to feature the AMG Speedshift MCT transmission with “dry clutch” technology borrowed from the SL 63, which lets you choose from four driving modes: Comfort (C), Sport (S), Sport + (S+) and Manual (M). This transmission is ultra quick with gear changes of less than one millisecond. The new generation of the E-Class will call upon the fourth generation of the 4Matic system already used in the S-Class, the C-Class and the GLK. This mechanism is lighter than the previous versions, works with a 7-speed transmission and is also more compact. Thus, it helps torque distribution to the tune of 45% to the front and 55% to the rear wheels.

All aboard for safety

As with any self-respecting Mercedes-Benz car, the models of the new generation of the E-Class possess several sophisticated systems that look to improve both active and passive safety. For starters, there are 10 airbags – including one for the hips – that all come factory standard, just like Attention Assist, which detects driver drowsiness. This mechanism evaluates the driver’s behaviour during the first 20 minutes of driving. If the driver’s behaviour is significantly modified thereafter, the system will activate a signal in the centre of the speedometer to indicate that it is time to take a break.

Still on the subject of standard equipment, the car comes with Adaptive Main Bean Assist to control the intensity of the high beams, while the PARKTRONIC system facilitates parking. Among the features offered on option that are also new to this model, the Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control and the Pre-Safe brakes must be mentioned from the get-go. These two mechanisms help control the distance between your car and those ahead of you and can even immobilize your vehicle completely in order to avoid an impact with another object. As for the Pre-Safe system, it adjusts various settings in order to limit injuries in case of impact. This system tenses the safety belts, moves the front seats into optimal position, closes the windows and the sunroof as well as increases the vehicle’s normal brake power by more than 40%.

And that’s not all! You can also order Lane Keeping Assist, a system that inspects the lanes on the road’s surface based on the white lines and then issues a warning if the driver is veering off course. I had the chance to put this mechanism to the test during the launch and it works wonderfully. This slight vibration in the steering wheel is much better than Infiniti’s similar system’s infernal sound. Mercedes-Benz also offers a lateral proximity sensor that helps detect the presence of cars in the driver’s blind spot. Add to that a night vision system with a central LCD screen that shows the environment outside the car as well as a rear-view backup camera. And still with the goal of reducing driver fatigue, not only are the seats more comfortable, but you can order a massage function on option to keep you fresh as a daisy as long as possible.

Still a great touring car

This glut of technical and mechanical refinements would be useless if the car’s handling, quiet ride, stability at high speed and braking power didn’t measure up. The verdict on this newcomer is in, and it is quite simply of superior quality on all counts. Behind the wheel, comfortably seated in an optional automated lateral support seat, you can do almost anything without having to worry. And if the quality of the chassis doesn’t do it for you, there are numerous electronic assistance components that step up to the plate. And it’s tough to complain about comfort. There are low resistance tires that adhere to the road very well, at least when it’s dry. However, I am still against the combined control of the turn signals and the windshield wipers. If I had a nickel for every time I turned on the wipers instead of the turn signals... On the other hand, the navigation system is more efficient and simple than before. As for the night driving screen, I find it more of a distraction than anything else.

We tried three of the four engines offered, with only the E63 AMG’s V8 unavailable. The 5.5-litre, 382-hp V8 is notable for its extreme smoothness and its very linear accelerations, but its higher weight makes it a just a little bit front heavy. As for the 3.5-litre, 268-hp V6, its accelerations are less incisive, but its gentle and smooth ride makes it easy to forget the V8. Finally, after a 100 kilometre ride behind the wheel of the version with the diesel engine, we can say that this 3.0-litre, 210-hp V6 turbodiesel with 400 lb-ft of torque performs as strongly as the other two while its greater torque makes for more muscular accelerations and pick-up.

All in all, this new generation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class should be even more popular than the model it is replacing.