Mercedes-Benz at the 2010 Detroit Autoshow - PART III

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Detroit, USA, Jan 11, 2010

The E-Class range: four attractive models: An innovative family at the heart of the brand

- Complete: the Cabriolet is the fourth model in the E-Class range
- Innovative: all variants are characterised by ground-breaking new products and features
- Successful: the E-Class is the clear leader in its market segment

In March 2009 Mercedes-Benz embarked on the renewal of the E-Class model family - one year later, with the market launch of the Cabriolet, the portfolio will be complete. A number of technical innovations have been incorporated into the new E-Class which no other car in this class is able to offer - from drowsiness detection to automatic emergency braking when an accident is recognised as imminent, and from Adaptive Highbeam Assist to the active bonnet. The E-Class is one the safest vehicles in its segment, a fact which has also been proven by independent crash tests and the specialist press.


In addition, there is a wide selection of powerful and efficient engines which is set to be systematically extended over the coming months. Depending on model, these range from the innovative E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 100 kW (136 hp) up to the E 500 producing 285 kW (388 hp). There are also AMG versions producing 386 kW (525 hp) and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC. Exemplary aerodynamics are yet another feature of the model range: with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, the saloon is the most aerodynamically efficient four-door car in the world, while the model range's Coup� achieves the best overall figure for a series-production car with a Cd figure of just 0.24.

"The renewal of the E-Class model family at the heart of the Mercedes brand has come at precisely the right time. The success of the new E-Class shows that even in what are now economically turbulent times, Mercedes brand values such as safety and efficiency, combined with exciting design, enjoy particular significance among discerning customers", explains Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

As such the E-Class is the clear leader in its market segment: in Germany the E-Class Saloon enjoys a market share of around 60 percent in its respective segment, while in Western Europe (excluding Germany) its share is more than 40 percent.

The four models in the current Mercedes luxury class series:

- The E-Class Saloon: the benchmark in the luxury class. Market launch: March 2009
- The E-Class Coup�: excitement can be this efficient. Market launch: May 2009
- The E-Class Estate: intelligent (E)state-of-the-art. Market launch: November 2009 and
- The E-Class Cabriolet: the 4-seater for all 4 seasons.

Market launch: March 2010

Besides the innovations which all of the models of this family share, the individual variants have a number of new products and features to enhance the comfort, safety and appeal which are specific to this model. With the new AIRCAP� feature, enhanced AIRSCARF� and also the standard acoustic soft top, the new E-Class Cabriolet for example provides all-year-round comfort which is unique in the segment of open-top vehicles. "The development of AIRCAP� is an example of the perseverance and tenacity of our engineers and technicians: convinced of the customer benefit of an automatic draught-stop, our specialists have finally found the Mercedes solution, which at the press of a button helps to significantly reduce turbulence in the car's interior for all passengers � it is easy to use and always there. In this way we are enabling our customers to enjoy comfortable, open-top driving all year round", says Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Corporate Research and Head of Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

For its part, in addition to air suspension with self-levelling at the rear as standard, the Estate model also provides unique new load compartment management features.

"Never before have we had such an effective presence with our E-Class model series as we have with today's range. Saloon, Estate, Coup� and Cabriolet all share the same winning gene, yet appeal to our customers in a very individual way. This mixture has been extremely well received by our customers. With the new Cabriolet we are complementing our successful E-Class family with yet another particularly emotionally appealing model, in which our customers can continue to enjoy the Cabriolet season even longer thanks to the unique automatic draught-stop", confirms Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars.






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