Before the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class even hit the showrooms in Europe, there were 50,000 orders. Impressive.
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The new star in the luxury segment made its first appearance on the eve of the 2009. In Detroit, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche presented the latest version of the luxury sedan in front of more than 650 journalists. With more than 20 new or further technical developments, this sedan further consolidates the leading position of Mercedes-Benz in the luxury class. They include trailblazing innovations for safe driving that are available from no other manufacturer worldwide in this combination. Mercedes-Benz has improved the already fantastic comfort of the E-Class, including intelligent body shell technology with up to 30 percent greater rigidity, further improved seats and a newly developed suspension whose shock absorbers automatically adjust to the current driving situation.
The outstanding safety and comfort of the E-Class are matched by its environmental compatibility and economy: the four- and six-cylinder engines are direct-injection units, and consume up to 23 percent less fuel than before. The combined NEDC consumption of the new four-cylinder diesel engines is just 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres, which corresponds to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre. All the engines for the new E-Cass meet the EU5 emission standard, and in the case of the E 350 BlueTEC the emissions are already below the EU6 limits planned for 2014.
The work done in the wind tunnel is fascinating: a drag coefficient is only 0.25, making the new E-Class the world's most aerodynamically efficient luxury sedan. It betters the already good Cd figure of the preceding model by another four percent, which represents a fuel saving of around 0.25 litres per 100 kilometres when driving at a motorway speed of 130 km/h.
The range of engines available for the new E-Class comprises four, six and eight-cylinder units with outputs from 100 kW/136 hp to 386 kW/525 hp. The new four-cylinder diesel engine also powers the E 220 CDI with 125 kW/ 170 hp and the E 200 CDI with 100 kW/136 hp, also with a fuel consumption of only 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres.
The active multi-contour seat package - which is optional - includes newly developed multi-contour seats with comfort head restraints and a two-stage massage function in the backrest that has proven highly successful in the S-Class. Mercedes-Benz has developed a climate control system for the E-Class which not only allows individual temperatures to be set in three zones - for the driver, front passenger and rear passengers - but also offers different "climatization modes".
With typical Mercedes attention to detail, the designers have also given great attention to the interior of the new E-Class, ensuring that every feature appeals in both emotional and functional terms with its form, color or material. The result is a harmonious whole - an atmosphere in which the car's occupants immediately feel safe and protected, and long journeys can be taken without any feeling of effort or stress.
Predominant upper-level ridging stretching from the Southwest to the southern High Plains will allow for another day of record-breaking heat across parts of Nevada and Arizona today.