Kuala Lumpur, 24 March 2008 - The Mercedes-Benz E 280 Avantgarde is now enhanced with the ultimate expression of sports credentials in the form of an AMG Sports Package. To further emphasise on the luxurious capabilities of the Mercedes-Benz E 280 Avantgarde, the new Mercedes-Benz E 280 AMG Sports Package now comes with COMANDS APS and mobile phone pre-installation.

Besides the above, the Mercedes-Benz E 280 AMG Sports Package also comes standard with 18-inch 5-spoke AMG alloy wheels in titanium grey, AMG bodystyling of front and rear aprons, AMG exhaust system, sports-tuned suspension, AMG Sports steering wheel with gearshift paddles, sports pedals and foot rest in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs, and 7G-TRONIC sport automatic transmission, among others.

Pioneering innovations help the Mercedes-Benz E-Class continue to set the pace of passenger car safety in its market segment. The Mercedes-Benz E 280 AMG Sports is 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 Mercedes-Benz 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 NECK-PRO head restraints on the Mercedes-Benz E 280 AMG Sports 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, which is one of the most common accident injuries.

Mercedes-Benz has also consistently fine-tuned the occupant safety features on the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class meets 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class has completed some 330 crash tests as part of ongoing improvements to vehicle safety.

The new generation of the successful Mercedes model series looks more dynamic, and delivers 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 new Sports Package reassures 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

The ADAPTIVE BRAKE system is also taken from the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class, thus providing 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 Mercedes-Benz E-Class.