Bangkok, 24 August 2009 – Mercedes-Benz Thailand launched its first preview of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W 212) with the stunning top-of-the range model E 500 under the slogan “The new E-Class, Engineered around you”, at the Grand Hyatt Erawan Bangkok.

The new E-class represents the pacemaker when it comes to safety, comfort and environmental compatibility in this market segment. With its unique combination of driver assistance systems, this saloon further consolidates the leading position of Mercedes-Benz in the luxury class. Its features include the latest technologies such as ATTENTION ASSIST – a drowsiness detection system with highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor more than seventy different parameters, Adaptive Highbeam Assist to adapt automatically with driving situation and detects other vehicles and adjusts headlamps without dazzling other drivers, Blind Spot Assist to help drivers change lanes safely by monitoring the area to the side and behind the new E-Class and warns when a vehicle is in the rear-view mirror’s blind spot,  Lane Keeping Assist to detect car leaving its lane unintentionally and Night View Assist – pedestrian detection function to prevent accident which may occur to pedestrians ahead of the car. All of these latest technologies are equipped to help prevent all kinds of accidents which make in the new E-Class the “world’s best business sedan.”

The new E-Class appears in sophisticated interplay between lines and surfaces as an expression of effortless superiority and status, complimented with widely acclaimed twin-headlamp face – a highly symbolic design of the E-Class have now been reinterpreted in rectangles that comes with radiator grille with three-chrome-tipped louvers in high gloss-black radiates presence by virtue of its dynamic V-shape.

Prof. Dr. Alexander Paufler, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz (Thailand) Limited said that for the past 60 years, we have sold over 12 million E-Class saloons worldwide making the E-Class the best seller among all Mercedes-Benz models. In Thailand the current generation – is also one of our top performers – achieved market leadership with a share of 77 percent on the first seventh month operating result. Now, with our new E-Class, we’re raising the bar yet again – be it fuel efficiency or environmental compatibility, be it comfort, safety, or product quality. At the same time – and despite all innovation – we stuck firmly to our philosophy that an E-Class is focused not on short-lived hypes, but on lasting values.

The new E 500 comes with V8 petrol engine of 5,462cc, 8-cylinders, 7-speed automatic transmission provides the outputs of 285kW (388hp) at 6,000rpm, rated torque 530Nm at 2,800rpm – 4,800rpm, acceleration 0 – 100km/hr at 5.2 seconds, top speed at 250km/h. In addition, the resulting drag coefficient of only 0.28 makes the new E-Class the world’s most aerodynamic efficient luxury saloon.

In comfort, Mercedes-Benz has improved the already exemplary long-distance comfort of the E-Class even further in the new saloon, principally through the use of intelligent bodyshell technology with up to 30 percent rigidity, further improved seats and a newly developed suspension whose shock absorbers automatically adjust to the current driving situation. The air suspension now works in combination with an electronic damping system.

One of the key aspects the Mercedes engineers focused on to create this exceptional level of comfort was the new dimensional concept for the body and the interior, which differs from that of the outgoing model in many respects and thus allowed a new form of “spatial planning.” More space equals more comfort was the principle product planners applied to design a body that is 12 millimetres longer and 32 millimetres wider than previously. Measured against the outgoing E-Class model, the wheelbase length has been increased by 20 millimetres to 2,874 millimetres, which is a major factor behind the enhanced ride comfort and interior spaciousness.

The new E 500 comes in AVANTHARDE style with Black ash wood trim elements, 4-spoke steering wheel made of nappa leather and wood trim, and a new design of active multicontour seats with luxury head restraints and a two-stage massage function in the backrest.

The new E 500 equipped with sophisticated infotainment devices that deliver outstanding performance and, above all, are easy to use. The arrival of the new E 500 coincides with newly expanded NTG 4 telematics generation. COMAND AP multimedia system features high-speed hard-disc navigation and a high-resolution map display includes 6-disc CD/DVD changer, surround sound system by Harman/Kardon Logic 7, 7-inch colour display, TV tuner, eight speakers, Bluetooth telephony and developed Rear Seat Entertainment System with a DVD player and two large colour displays (8-inch) in the rear of the front head restraints.

Furthermore, COMAND APS includes a Music Register for around 1,000 compressed music tracks in MP3. WMA or AAC format, which can be downloaded from PC memory cards. The system has a saved database (“Gracenote”), enabling it to recognize music tracks played from a CD, DVD or the Music Register and then display the title of the track and the artist on the display. Mercedes-Benz combines COMAND APS with LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control and a text-to-speech function as standard, allowing the driver to listen to route-specific traffic reports, SMS messages, address book entries or station names. New traffic reports relevant to the current route are read out automatically by the system.

The new E-Class is equipped with tried-and-trusted technology in the shape of ABS, ESP and Brake Assist as well a around a dozen of new driver assistance systems which are specially configured to help prevent frequent causes of accidents such as lane changes, drowsiness, darkness and lane departure. This combination of safety technologies, which is unique in the world, make the E-Class an “intelligent partner” – a car that is capable of seeing clearly, reacting instinctively and acting autonomously thanks to radar, cameras and sensors.

Standard equipment for the new E 500 includes rack and pinion power steering with a variable ratio helps to improve directional stability and road adhesion at high speed.

Mercedes-Benz offers the Direct-Steer System that has proven by providing the driver with more direct response when cornering even more agile handling. In short, it delivers driving enjoyment while enhances handling dynamics.

Standard specifications include 18-inch light-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design, 245/40 R 18 (front) tyres and 265/50 R 18 (rear) tyres.

For further information about the new E-Class, please contact authorised Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlets nationwide.

Source: Fleet-asia.com’s correspondent in Bangkok