The W212 and S212 Mercedes-Benz E-Class series is the fourth generation of the E-Class range of executive cars which was produced by Mercedes-Benz between 2009 and 2016 as the successor to the W211 E-Class. The body styles of the range are either four-door sedan/saloon (W212) or a five-door estate/wagon (S212). Coupé and convertible models of the E-Class of the same generation are W204 C-Class based and known as the C207 and A207, replacing the CLK-Class (C209 and A209) coupé and cabriolet. A high-performance E 63 AMG version of the W212 and S212 were available as well since 2009. In 2013, a facelift was introduced for the E-Class range, featuring significant styling changes, fuel economy improvements and updated safety features.
After being unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show to invited members of the press and put on public display at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show,[6] it was introduced in March 2009 for Europe and in July 2009 for North America in the saloon body style. In 2010, an estate body style became available to all markets, though the estate body style was available in Europe since August 2009. Global cumulative E-Class sales reached the milestone 550,000 vehicle mark in July 2011.[7] Production achieved the milestone 500,000 saloon unit mark in March 2012.[8]
The W212 E-Class was succeeded by the W213 E-Class in 2016 for the 2017 model year.
Development
Design work began in 2004 after the development programme commenced in 2003, with the exterior design by Winifredo Camacho and interior design by Thomas Stopka being selected in 2005.[9] After refinements and engineering considerations were made, the final design specifications were frozen in 2006. Certain elements of the exterior styling are taken from the preceding W204 C-Class and W221 S-Class each designed in 2002 and 2003. The bulging rear wheel arches are meant to be reminiscent of the fender flares of historic "Ponton" Mercedes models of the 1950s. The design of the W212 and C207 E-Class was previewed by the ConceptFASCINATION design study in September 2008.
Body styles
Saloon
The W212 E-Class saloon was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The saloon went on sale in Europe in March 2009 as a 2010 model year automobile.[10] The W212 E-Class has three trim levels of equipment and equipment levels: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde.[11]
The E-Class features several new safety technologies including driver drowsiness detection, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. It also includes features that improve performance, efficiency, and comfort, such as "Direct Control" adaptive suspension, active seats (which change shape to support the passengers in corners), and movable radiator louvers which improve the vehicle's aerodynamics. Standard Mercedes-Benz safety and convenience features, such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), airbags, and automatic climate control, are included as well.[12]
Estate
Styling
The 2009 E-Class’ design was inspired by the new design language Mercedes adopted at that time for the C-Class, S-Class, and CLS-Class.[20] The design was considerably more angular and aggressive than its predecessors and Mercedes gave the rear haunch a bulge that they named the "Ponton flare" inspired by that of the Ponton cars from the 1950s and early '60s.[21] Many of the changes made to give the E-Class a sportier appearance took design cues from a number of existing models, including the CLS-Class and the S-Class. The rising character line of the 2009 E-Class was inspired by the S-Class, as were the wheel-arch extensions, the door handles, and the enlarged bumpers. Meanwhile, the CLS-Class inspiration came in the form of the re-shaped headlights, featuring an edgier squared teardrop design as opposed to the previous ovoid shape. Other changes made on the 2009 model included a wider-framed grille, new air intakes, and an overall wedge-shaped profile.[20] The 2009 E-Class has a drag coefficient of 0.25 to improve aerodynamic efficiency.
W212 facelift (2013–2016)
Development and launch
The fourth generation E-Class (W212) facelift was unveiled to media in December 2012 ahead of its public debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, it was made available for sale in early/mid 2013 as the 2014 model year.[23][24] Compared to typically subtle Mercedes-Benz minor model updates, the changes to the W212 were relatively extensive.[25] With the sales the E-Class had lost to SUVs and crossovers in Europe and America more than compensated for by demand in emerging markets,[26] it received the "most significant model revision" Mercedes-Benz had ever undertaken,[27]
Specifications
Engines
- E 500 is sold as the E 550 in the US and Canada.
- Badged as E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY before 2011.
- Badged as E 300 BlueEFFICIENCY, E 300 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY, E 500 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY, E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Edition, E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY before 2013.
- The designation "BlueTEC" replaced the "CDI" from 2013 to 2017, as Euro 6 emissions standard effectively mandates SCR and AdBlue injection.
- E 180 models were sold in Turkey and Greece and Tunisia with a 1.6L 156HP 250NM derived from the M270 petrol engine.
Transmission
Safety
Euro NCAP
The 2010 E-Class earned five stars out of five for occupant protection, pedestrian protection and assistance systems in the Euro NCAP test. It came standard with a number of safety systems like Collision Prevention Assist, Attention Assist, Adaptive braking technology, Daytime Running Lamps and Rain-sensing windshield wipers. The E-Class also received two "Euro NCAP Advanced" rewards for the optional PRE-SAFE and PRE-SAFE Brake safety system.[39]
IIHS
The 2010 E-Class was the first E-Class to earn IIHS's reputable Top Safety Pick award.[40] Insurance Institute for Highway Safety score the E-Class Good overall in the moderate overlap front crash test, but did not pass the small front overlap. It also received Good overall in side-impact collisions, the roof strength and seat/head restraint evaluations.[41]
Reception
The E-Class image suffered a downturn in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Things improved with the facelifted W211 but the introduction of the W212 series re-established the E-Class's original reputation for solid build quality and refined elegance.[45][7] The W212 was also praised for having a differentiated design from the contemporary C-Class and S-Class models.[46][47] Although the mid-cycle refresh was overwhelmingly praised,[48][49]
Special models
E 63 AMG (2010–2016)
The E 63 AMG saloon was unveiled at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.[51] The new performance version of the E-Class is fitted with the same powertrain as the SL63 AMG, including AMG's 6.2-litre V8 and the SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports automatic transmission with four driver-selectable modes including a fully manual mode. Similar to the C63 AMG, the new E 63 is more extensively modified than before, with a new, wider front axle, heavily revised suspension, and more distinct body panels.[52]
The optional AMG Performance Pack includes lightweight, forged 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with 255/35R19 front and 285/30R19 rear tires, stiffer suspension, a limited-slip differential, a special three-spoke sport steering wheel, and a reprogramming of the electronic top speed limiter to 300 km/h from 250 km/h. The 6.2 L V8 has 525 PS 465 lbft and will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 4.5 seconds.
Motorsport
Erebus Motorsport competed in the Australian V8 Supercars Championship with E 63 AMGs between 2013 and 2015. These race cars had very little in common with the road going versions with only the exterior being shared with the race cars.
External links
References
- E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, 2009 - 2013 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com, retrieved 5 April 2024^
- E 500 Estate, 2009 - 2011 mercedes-benz-publicarchive.com, retrieved 5 April 2024^
- EGA Egasae.com, retrieved 25 June 2010