Kuala Lumpur , 25 November 2009 - The new E-Class stands for status, quality, highly advanced technology and driving pleasure – and it also reflects these attributes in its self-confident design.  With its allured character and bold, distinctive design, the new E-Class promises to be a real trend-setter.

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 standard features include a drowsiness detection system – ATTENTION ASSIST, Adaptive High Beam Assist, Parking Guidance System and Pre-Safe.

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 greater rigidity, further improved seats and a newly developed suspension “DIRECT CONTROL” 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. A sophisticated technology package is also the secret behind the 6-cylinder V-engine in the new E300. All four camshafts, for example, feature variable adjustment across the entire engine speed range – ensuring that high torque is available from low revs on up. Optimised fuel combustion also results in lower consumption, while a balancer shaft ensures smooth operation. New technologies in the new E-Class reduce fuel consumption by up to 22%, while CO₂ emissions are lower than ever.
                                                         
Along with the engines, the BlueEFFICIENCY package for the E-Class is in large part responsible for the considerable fuel savings. Engineers from every development department have worked together to optimise assemblies and components, to save fuel by means of reduced weight, a new form, improved functioning or efficient energy management.

The work done in the wind tunnel was particularly successful, as the resulting drag coefficient of only 0.25 makes the new E-Class the world’s most aerodynamically efficient luxury saloon. 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. One of the measures taken to improve the aerodynamics is the adoption of automatically adjustable fan louvres which control the airflow to the engine compartment in line with the engine's cooling requirements.

Other BlueEFFICIENCY measures include newly developed tyres with up to 17 percent lower rolling resistance, energy-saving control of the alternator, fuel pump, air conditioning compressor and power steering. Displays in the speedometer inform the driver how much fuel is being consumed (per 100 kilometres), and when the next higher gear should be selected in order to maintain an economical and environmentally conscious style of driving.

Safety: "Intelligent” partner thanks to unique combination of assistance and protection systems

Thanks to an innovative technology, the new E-Class is very sensitive to its driver’s attention level, and warns him or her of drowsiness in good time. This new ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, which is standard equipment, is equipped with highly sensitive sensors that continuously monitor more than 70 different parameters. Observing the driver’s steering behaviour has proved to be a particularly strong indicator: several years of practical research by Mercedes engineers have shown that drowsy drivers make minor steering errors which they often correct very rapidly in characteristic ways. These corrections are recognised by a highly sensitive steering angle sensor.

Eight airbags and PRE-SAFE® as standard

During the course of its development, the new E-Class was subjected to more than 150 high-speed crash tests. The crumple zone principle invented by Mercedes safety pioneer Béla Barényi has been continuously improved by the engineers in Sindelfingen. The front-end deformation zone of the E-Class acts on four independent levels, and is even more effective than before. The increased use of extra-high-strength steel alloys also helps to ensure that the bodyshell is able to withstand high impact forces. Around 72 percent of all the body panels are made from these high-tech steels -- yet another unrivalled figure in passenger car development.

With  eight  airbags  as  standard,  belt tensioners,  belt  force limiters, crash-responsive head restraints  and  ISOFIX  child  seat  attachments, the new  E-Class  has  even  more  extensive safety features than the preceding model.

Another standard feature is the preventive occupant protection system PRE-SAFE®. In potentially hazardous situations this reflexively activates precautionary protective measures for the vehicle occupants, so that the seat belts and airbags are able to fulfil their protective function to the full during an impact.

Comfort: Further progress through adaptive shock absorbers and improved air suspension

As well as being a trendsetter in the safety field, the E-Class has been setting the standards for long-distance comfort in this vehicle class for several decades. Bettering the already high level of the preceding series, Mercedes engineers have achieved further advances with the new saloon -- especially where ride, seating and climate comfort are concerned. 

Standard equipment includes a further improved suspension with adaptive shock absorbers. These automatically adapt to the current driving situation by reducing the damping forces when driving normally, thereby noticeably improving ride comfort. When taking bends at speed or during rapid evasive action, the system switches to the maximum damping effect so that the saloon is stabilised to best effect.

A version with dynamic damping characteristics and a lowered suspension is also available as standard for the E300 AVANTGARDE.

Well-proven seat technology with a new design

When it came to developing the seats for the new E-Class, Mercedes-Benz chose a new, enhanced version of a well-established Mercedes concept, namely padded seat piping -- a sophisticated and demanding upholstery technique that is only used by Mercedes-Benz. This involves the insertion of an additional foam filling under the fabric or leather cover, and gives an immediate feeling of comfort and well-being when sitting in the car.

Individual climatisation modes at the touch of a button
 
Mercedes-Benz has developed a climate control system “multi-zone THERMOTRONIC 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 "climatisation modes". The occupants of the new E Class are able to select "Diffuse", "Medium" or "Focus" modes at the touch of a button, and so adapt the air volume and distribution to their personal preferences without sacrificing the convenience of automatic mode.

Design: Distinctive lines as an expression of effortless superiority and status

A sophisticated interplay between lines and surfaces is one of the hallmarks of today’s Mercedes design. Large concave or convex surface areas are structured by taut, clearly defined lines. This design concept has been perfected down to the last detail in the new E-Class. The side contours become connecting features that influence the entire body design, that is to say not just the side aspects but also the front and rear-end styling.

At the rear, this harmonious flow culminates in a new feature: a graceful line that follows the rear wheel arches and lends a clear shape to the imposing, muscular contours of the rear wings. Here Mercedes aficionados will recognise styling features reminiscent of the famous "Ponton Mercedes". Introduced in 1953, this model underlined its self-assured character by means of similarly striking contours. In addition to this symbolic role, the rear styling treatment is also a hallmark of the E-Class which well illustrates how tradition is made to harmonise with the future in this model series.

Typical Mercedes attention to detail has also been lavished on the interior of the new E-Class where the designers have ensured that every feature appeals in both emotional and functional terms with its form, colour 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 enjoyed without any feeling of effort or stress. In short: typically E-Class; welcome home!

In contrast the AVANTGARDE line shows the E-Class in a decidedly modern and innovative light. This is ensured by additional standard features such as bi-xenon headlamps with the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights, LED technology for all the rear lights, 17-inch light-alloy wheels in a five-twin-spoke design, a special, lowered suspension setup, ambient lighting and the instrument cluster in a sporty tubular design. This model variant can also be distinguished by its different bumper design and a chrome-plated radiator grille with three high-gloss, black louvres.

Market position: with ten million models sold over a period of sixty years, the E-Class is the world's most successful business saloon.

To welcome home the legendary New E-Class further, 16 Mercedes-Benz dealers will open its doors nationwide on 28 & 29 November 2009 and 5 & 6 December 2009 respectively for customers to view the new E-Class. A comprehensive line-up of Mercedes-Benz models will be available for test drives. For more details, contact your preferred authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers or Mercedes-Benz customer care centre at 1-800-88-1133.

“We have already received bookings for 600 units of this model and soon, the E200 and E250 will be launched,” said Florian Muller, Vice-President, Sales & Marketing, Passenger Cars, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

The new locally assembled Mercedes-Benz E300 Avantgarde is priced at RM455,888.00.

At the same event the E250 Coupe CGI and the E350 V6 Coupe were also introduced.