Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211)

The Mercedes-Benz W211 is the third generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class made from 2002 to 2009 in sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate configurations – replacing the W210 E-Class models and superseded by the Mercedes-Benz W212 in 2009.

The C219, marketed as the CLS, was introduced as a niche model in 2005, based on W211 mechanicals.

Launched in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model. Before North American sales began, the car was shown in the 2002 movie Men in Black II.[7][8][9] The W211 development program began in 1997, followed by design work. The final designs were chosen in 1999, and German patents were filed on December 18, 2000 utilizing an E 500 prototype. Development ended in 2001 after 48 months, at a total cost of €2 billion. Pilot production went into testing in the summer of 2001, and the W211 E-Class debuted at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2002.[10]

2003–2005

layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / four-wheel drive (4Matic)

engine	Petrol 1.8 L M271 supercharged I4 2.6–3.2 L M112 V6 2.5–3.5 L M272 V6 5.0 L M113 V8 5.4 L M113k supercharged V8 5.5 L M273 V8 6.2 L M156 V8 Petrol / CNG: 1.8 L M271 supercharged I4 Diesel 2.1 L OM646 turbo I4 2.7 L OM647 turbo I5 3.0 L OM642 turbo V6 3.2 L OM648 turbo I6 4.0 L OM628/OM629 turbo V8

transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed Sequentronic automated manual‡R6R‡ 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic

wheelbase	2854 mm

length	2003–06 Sedan: 190.3 in 2007–09 Sedan: 191.0 in 2004–06 Wagon: 191.7 in 2007–09 Wagon: 192.3 in

width	2003–04: 71.3 in 2005–09: 71.7 in

height	2003–06 Sedan: 57.0 in 2007–09 Sedan: 58.4 in 2007–09 Wagon: 59.3 in 2004–09 Wagon: 58.9 in AMG: 57.2 in

weight	1560-1819 kg

related	Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C209) Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219) Chrysler 300 Dodge Charger (LX/LD) Dodge Magnum SsangYong Chairman (Second generation)

designer	Hartmut Sinkwitz (1999)

model code	W211 (Saloon) S211 (Wagon)

The W211 E-Class was unveiled at the January 2002 European Motor Show Brussels featuring twin-headlights, angled slightly rearward.[13] The 2003 E-Class was larger than its predecessors while offering less interior space, particularly in the estate version, than the W210 it replaced. It offered petrol or diesel engines with a choice of rear or four-wheel drive.

Mercedes-Benz claimed to have reduced the fuel consumption of the new E-Class by up to 0.9 litres per 100 km compared with the outgoing model.[13] The redesigned 2003 model featured electrohydraulic braking system marketed as Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC), which was standard equipment in the E-Class. Options included multicontour front seats and dual control air suspension system marketed as Airmatic DC.

Air suspension was standard equipment in the top-of-the-range E 500 V8 model and was available as an option on all other E-Class models.[13] The W211 is a more complex car than its predecessor, with a programmable serial bus and many automated systems.

The 2003 E-Class was offered in sedan and 5-door station wagon configurations in three trim lines, marketed as Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde.[13] The W211 was the first E-Class since 1985 equipped with two windshield wipers.

The transmission options were 5 or 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. V6, V8, inline-4, and supercharged inline-4 engines were offered. Engine outputs of E 240 and E 270 models from the previous W210 E-Class were given a 5 kW increase to 130 kW, while the E 500 uses the 225 kW 5.0-litre V8 from the W220 S-Class to supersede the W210 E 430. The E 320 remained unchanged, producing 165 kW of power.[13]

E 320 CDI

The E 320 CDI used the 3222 cc in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine, OM648, that made 204 PS at 4,200 rpm and 500 Nm at 1,800–2,600 rpm.

Engines were updated as part of the facelift, and the new 320 CDI was powered by a 2987 cc OM642 V6 engine delivering 224 hp at 3,800 rpm and 540 Nm at 1,600–2,800 rpm.

E 400 CDI

The E 400 CDI used Mercedes-Benz's OM628 3996 cc V8 diesel engine, that made 260 PS at 4,000 rpm and 560 Nm at 1,700–2,600 rpm.

E 55 AMG (2003–2006)

The second generation E 55 AMG debuted in September 2002 at the Paris Motor Show.[14] It debuted as the fastest production sedan in the world.[15] The E 55 AMG was also offered in an estate version for later model years.

E 55 Powertrain

2006–2009 (mid-generational refresh)

The W211 was updated in 2006 for the 2007 model year.[23] There was new standard and optional equipment, which enabled the W211 to hold its own against its competitors. Sensotronic was dropped due to customer complaints about its software, while Pre-Safe (w/o autonomous braking) was made standard. The announced vehicle was unveiled at the 2006 New York International Auto Show.[24] In total, 29 model variants were available, with 16 Saloons and 13 Estates. New standard equipment included PRE-SAFE active protection, NECK-PRO head restraints, flashing brake lights, tyre pressure monitor. The optional Intelligent Light System included bi-xenon headlamps and 5 different lighting functions. The bodies were restyled including the front grill, rear view mirror, side mirrors, redesigned headlamps, front spoiler, rear lights, gear knob and steering wheel.[25]

Coinciding with the minor model update, the largest factory built engine in the E-class range, the E 500 (badged E 550 in some countries), had its engine size increased from 5 litres to 5.5 litres in 2006.

E 63 AMG (2007–2009)

The E 63 AMG was the refreshed high-performance model of the W211, replacing the E 55 AMG. Besides the Saloon, it was also offered in the Estate body style similarly to the E 55 AMG estate model to compete with the new wagon versions of the BMW M5 (E61) and Audi RS 6 (C6), though those two high-performance wagons were never sold in North America.

This engine had a high-pressure die-cast alloy cylinder block with twin-wire arc spray coated running surfaces. Compression ratio is 11.3:1. According to many auto journalists, the E 63 AMG was one of the quickest production sports sedans in the world. Both the sedan (saloon) and wagon had a 0–60 mph acceleration time of 4.3 seconds. Compared to the previous E 55 AMG, the E 63 AMG had more horsepower but less torque, enabling it to be mated to the newer 7G-Tronic automatic transmission.

While the E 500 and E 550 had the standard Mercedes Airmatic DC suspension with adaptive damping, the E 63 AMG had the AMG-tuned Airmatic suspension which with the stability control turned off gave it far better driving dynamics than its non-AMG predecessors.[26]

The AMG Performance package P030 added electronic speed limiter deletion, limited-slip rear differential, Alcantara sports steering wheel, stiffer valving Airmatic suspension over the standard AMG tuned Airmatic, AMG 18 in, 5-spoke multi-piece wheels, and optional AMG carbon fibre trim.

body style
manufacturer	DaimlerChrysler (2002–2007) Daimler AG (2007–2009)
production	January 2002‡R1R‡ – April 2009 (sedan) February 2002‡R2R‡ – June 2009 (station wagon) 1.5 million built
model years	2003–2009 (sedan) 2004–2009 (wagon)
assembly	Germany: Sindelfingen Mexico: Santiago Tianguistenco‡R3R‡ Mexico: Toluca China: Beijing (Beijing Benz) Austria: Graz (Magna Steyr: 4Matic Only) Egypt: 6th of October City (EGA) Iran: Tehran (Top Khodro)‡R4R‡ Malaysia: Johor Bahru (OASB)‡R5R‡ Malaysia: Pekan (DRB-HICOM) Indonesia: Bogor (MBI) Thailand: Samut Prakan (TAAP: E200 NGT)
predecessor	Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)
successor	Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)
class	Executive car (E)

Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211)

2003–2005

E 320 CDI

E 400 CDI

E 55 AMG (2003–2006)

E 55 Powertrain

2006–2009 (mid-generational refresh)

E 63 AMG (2007–2009)

Engines

Engines

Transmissions

Safety

Sales

External links

References

E 55 suspension, brakes, wheels & tires

E 55 Performance

E 55 Powertrain

E 55 suspension, brakes, wheels & tires

E 55 Performance

E-Guard (2006–2008)

E 300 BlueTEC (2007–2009)