1. Development

2. Body styles
     Saloon    Estate    Coupé and convertible  

3. Styling

4. W212 facelift (2013–2016)
     Development and launch    Styling    Equipment  

5. Specifications
     Body styles    Engines    Transmission  

6. Safety
     Euro NCAP    IIHS    NHTSA  

7. Reception

8. Special models
     E63 AMG (2010–2017)    E-Guard    E 250 BlueTEC concept (2009)    Edition 125 (2011)  

9. Motorsport

10. References

11. External links

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:

• 4-door sedan/saloon (W212)
• 5-door estate/wagon (S212)

Coupé and convertible models of the E-Class of the same vintage are W204 C-Class derived and known as the C207 and A207, replacing the CLK-Class coupe and cabriolet. A high-performance E63 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,^[4] it was introduced in March 2009 for Europe and in July 2009 for North America in the sedan 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.^[5] Production achieved the milestone 500,000 sedan unit mark in March 2012.^[6]

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 program commenced in 2003, with the exterior design by Winifredo Camacho and interior design by Thomas Stopka being selected in 2005.^[7] After refinements and engineering considerations being 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.^[8] The W212 E-Class has 3 trim levels of equipment and equipment levels: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde.^[9]

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.^[10]

Estate

The estate version (chassis code S212) was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show^[11] and was released for sale in Europe on 5 August.^[12] Early models include the four-cylinder-powered E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the V6-powered E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, and the V8-powered E 500.^[13] US models began sales in June 2010 for the 2011 model year.^[14]

Coupé and convertible

The coupé (C207) was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, while the convertible (A207) was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.^[15][16] Both models replaced the previous C209/A209 CLK-Class models. The C207/A207 E-Class is based on the W204 C-Class platform, and are produced alongside each other in the Bremen plant.^[17]

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.^[18] The design got a lot more angular and aggressive than its predecessors and Mercedes gave the rear haunch a bulge that they named the Ponton flare in honour of the Ponton cars from the fifties and early sixties.^[19] Among the changes done to make the E-Class look sportier include taking 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 enormous bumpers. Meanwhile, the CLS-Class inspiration comes in the form of the re-shaped headlights: from the round design of the past model to an edgier squarish teardrop design. Other changes done on the 2009 model are a wider-framed grille, new nasal air intakes, and an overall wedge-shaped profile.^[18] The 2009 E-Class has a drag coefficient of 0.25 to improve aerodynamic efficiency.^[20]

Mercedes gave the interior a subtle facelift, one that features a more spacious cockpit with height adjustable bucket front seats, remote power door locks, power mirrors, heated mirrors, 4 one-touch power windows, and remote window operation. There are also wood trims on the doors, dashboard, and center console, front and rear reading lights, a leather steering wheel, an electrochromatic inside rearview mirror, and front and rear floor mats. The entertainment aspect comes from the plethora of electronically-enhanced goodies like an AM/FM in-dash 6 CD/DVD, CD-controller with CD MP3 Playback stereo, Harman Kardon audio system a TeleAid telecommunications service, and Bluetooth wireless data link for hands-free phone capabilities.^[18]

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.^[21][22] Compared to typically subtle Mercedes-Benz minor model updates, the change to the W212 were relatively extensive.^[23] 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,^[24] it received the "most significant model revision" Mercedes-Benz had ever undertaken,^[25] reported close to €1 billion into the development of the mid-cycle refresh. The amount of new features on the facelifted model is about the same that's expected from the release of an entirely new model.^[26] The facelift brings significant styling changes, improved engines, more standard equipment and several extra hi-tech features.^[27][28]

Depending on the market, the 2014 E-Class is available in the following versions. The lineup starts with the E200 that has a turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 181 hp (135 kW) or 208 hp (155 kW) in the E250. The more frugal E200 CDI has a 4-cylinder, 2.1-liter turbodiesel unit with 134 hp (100 kW). The same engine powers the E220 CDI where it's tuned to output 168 hp (125 kW), while in the E250 CDI it churns 201 hp (150 kW). There are also BlueTec versions of the E250, E300 Hybrid and E350. The regular E350 gets a V6 3.5-liter engine generating 302 hp (225 kW), while the E400 Hybrid has the same V6 engine but with an electric motor developing an additional 27 hp (20 kW). The E550 makes use of a 4.7-liter turbo charged V8 engine developing 402 hp (300 kW).^[27]

Styling

The front is completely restyled, giving it a more aggressive look compared to the pre-facelift model in response to the newer BMW 5 Series and Audi A6. The twin headlamp design is replaced with a singular front light (marking the end of Mercedes's dual headlamps use), while the light elements within the headlamps help to retain the "four-eyed" appearance. Low beam and daytime running lamps both come with partial LED as standard, while full LED technology is available as an option for the first time for the E-Class.^[29] The hood with flowing lines and the front bumper, which is made more sharp with bigger air intakes, have also been completely redesigned.^[33]

The facelift can be ordered with two distinct design variants: Sport and Luxury, which features two different front-end designs for each line.^[30] The Luxury version comes with the classic sedan grille with 3-louver look and star on the hood. The Sport version features the sports grille with integrated star, also a first time option, forming a visual link to the high performance sports car models.^[31] Sport models receive a more confident front design, using the AMG styling package that features larger air intakes and a distinct aluminum trim line along the entire lower rim of the front bumper.^[32]

In the rear, the LED taillights is given horizontal design, while Sport models feature exposed dual exhaust pipes.^[37] The doors and front fenders were re-shaped, eliminating the wheel arch bulge and replacing it with a more traditional character line in the sheet metal. The lower side crease line (which replaced the pre-facelift model's side chrome trim) extends from the rear door all the way to the front fender, hence all the side panels except for the rear quarter panel has also been restyled.

The car's interior cabin have been subtly revised, with the new 3-tube instrument cluster, trapezoidal head-unit display, air vents design and a new analogue clock in the center console between the two central vents, like the CLS-Class (W218).^[32] A new feature is the two-part trim which stretches across the entire dashboard, which is available in a wood or aluminium look, irrespective of the equipment line.^[37] There is also a redesigned centre console without a selector lever (sedans had already done away with the selector lever as part of the launch of the W212), as well as a new multi-function steering wheel with DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles in conjunction with the automatic transmission.^[32] If the driver had shifted up or down manually, after a set period of time the transmission independently switches back to automatic mode which saves fuel.^[37]

Equipment

Three different suspension configurations can be ordered. The comfort biased setup uses the base DIRECT CONTROL suspension with selective damping system. The sporty DIRECT CONTROL suspension with selective damping system is lowered by 15mm. The AIRMATIC air suspension with electronically controlled damping. The Estate model gets air suspension with self leveling as default on the rear axle. All E-Class will be fitted with an electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard.^[37]

For infotainment, the E-Class is equipped with the COMAND system featuring AM/FM/WB radio, indash DVD/CD player, in-dash memory card slot, and Bluetooth interface for hands-free calling. Standard equipment also includes a central controller with a 7-inch, high-resolution display and a color display in the instrument cluster. Optional features include: Rearview camera, COMAND navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, Harman/Kardon Logic 7 surround sound, power rear window sunshade, heated front seats, active ventilated front seats and garage-door opener and KEYLESS-GO.^[37]

The E-Class benefit from new safety kit derived from the 2014 S-Class, including the stereo multi-purpose camera which enables the car to detect oncoming or crossing traffic, pedestrians and traffic signs 50 metres away.^[33]

The Intelligent Drive technology equips the 2014 E-Class with up to 11 new or enhanced driving assistance features. From the Attention Assist system (giving the driver greater control over sensitivity levels) and standard Collision Prevention Assist technology, to Driver Assistance and Lane Tracking option packages that containing items such as Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control with Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Brake Assist Plus, and Cross Traffic Assist, the 2014 E-Class is better equipped to keep its driver and occupants safe than the previous version of the car.^[34]

The Intelligent Light System with Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS uses radar and stereo cameras to detect oncoming cars and stays on high beam while blanking out a section of light around them. The same system also identifies pedestrians and flashes light specifically on them.^[35]

Other optional safety technologies includes PRE-SAFE Brake, PRE-SAFE PLUS, PRE-SAFE Impulse, Active Parking Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Traffic Sign Assist and a 360-degree camera.^[37]

Specifications

Body styles

Engines

E 500 is sold as the E 550 in the US and Canada.

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.^[37]

IIHS

The 2010 E-Class was the first E-Class to earn IIHS's reputable Top Safety Pick award.^[38] 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.^[39]

The redesigned 2014 E-Class received IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award, which also passed the small front overlap crash test.^[40] Apart from the aforementioned test, the W212 facelift also scored the Good mark in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and seat/head restraint evaluations.^[41]

NHTSA

U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing of the 2014 US model year E-Class yielded a four-star driver and four-star passenger rating in the frontal-collision test (out of five stars). Side crash results were five out of five stars for both front and rear seats. The car scored five stars in rollover testing.^[42]

Reception

The E-Class image suffered a downturn in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Things improve with the facelifted W211 but the introduction of the W212 series took the E-Class's original reputation for solid build quality and refined elegance and established it once again.^[43][5] It is also praised for having a differentiated design from the contemporary C-Class and S-Class models.^[44][45] Although the mid-cycle refresh was overwhelmingly praised;^[46][47] the design received mixed opinions as Mercedes decided to take a more streamlined direction with the redesign, replacing the twin headlamp design with a single lens design, which brought the E-Class design up to date with the ongoing F800 Style design language found on cars like the A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, S-Class, CLS-Class and M-Class.^[48]

Special models

E63 AMG (2010–2017)

The E 63 AMG sedan was unveiled at the 2009 New York International Auto Show.^[49] The new performance version of the E-Class is fitted with the same powertrain as the SL63 AMG, including AMG's 6.2-liter 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 E63 is more extensively modified than before, with a new, wider front axle, heavily revised suspension, and more distinct body panels.^[50]

The optional AMG Performance Package 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 {{convert|300|km/h|0|abbr=on}} from {{convert|250|km/h|mph|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}. The 6.2 L V8 has {{Convert|525|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} {{convert|465|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} and will accelerate from 0 to {{Convert|100|km/h|mi/h|0|abbr=on}} in 4.3 seconds.{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}}

In 2011, the 6.2-litre V8 was replaced by a twin-turbo version of the 5.5-litre V8 available in the E500/E550; power remained the same as for the earlier, naturally aspirated 6.2-litre engine. There was also a {{Convert|557|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} Performance Package version. In October 2013, the AMG S-model of the E63 was introduced; this version packs no less than {{Convert|585|PS|kW hp|0|abbr=on}} and replaces the earlier Performance Package model.^[51] In the United States, the E63 station wagon is only available as an "S-model", and all E63s sold in North America now receive the 4Matic system as standard. Meanwhile, power of the "regular" E63 AMG increased to the same level as the previous Performance Package model. There is no Black Series variant for the E63.

With a {{convert|518|hp|kW|abbr=on}} engine, the E63 can achieve a top speed of around {{convert|200|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} (electronic limiter off), and can accelerate from 0 to {{convert|60|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} in 4.3 seconds.^[52]

The styling has been altered for both aesthetic and practical purposes: AMG side skirts and rear apron give the E63 more aggressive styling, and the larger air apertures on the front of the car allow for more air intake to the naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8. Another styling change on the E63 is the wider, flared front wheel arches which accommodate the AMG front axle with a {{convert|2.2|in|mm|adj=mid|-wider}} track.^[53]

For 2012, Mercedes-Benz started offering a bi-turbo V8 version. It is the M157, 5.5L twin-turbo V8, that is rated at {{convert|518|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}, which is mated to a 7-speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission^[54] Portland Speed Industries, a performance shop in Hillsboro, OR, have tested a 2012 E63 AMG biturbo on their Dynojet dynamometer and it produced 479 whp and {{convert|561|lbft|Nm|0|abbr=on}} of torque.^[55]

In 2013, the facelifted E63 AMG was launched almost immediately after the facelifted standard E-Class. It has a more sporty, singular front air intakes, sideskirts, rear diffuser and black detailings in the side mirrors, front grille, wheels, and rear apron. Also for the first time it can also be had in 4Matic four-wheel drive system. It has the same M157 {{cvt|5461|cc|L|1|abbr=on|order=flip}} engine, with increased power of up to 550 bhp to last-generation's 525 bhp. Mercedes still offered an optional AMG "S" Performance Package, which adds 27 bhp in power for a total of {{cvt|585|PS|bhp kW|0|abbr=on}} at 5500 rpm and {{cvt|800|Nm|0|abbr=on}} at 1750-5000 rpm^[56] and delimits the car's top speed to 186 mph. With the optional AMG "S" Performance Package, the car can do 0–60 mph in 3.5 seconds; vehicles without the package takes an additional 0.1 seconds.^[57]

E-Guard

The E-Guard armoured version, which features VR4 (formerly B4) level protection, went on sale in April 2009.^[58] The vehicles are equipped with steel and aramid fiber (Kevlar) armour and bullet-resistant windows, as well as run-flat tyres rated for a top speed of {{convert|240|km/h|0|abbr=on}} ({{convert|50|km}} at {{convert|80|km/h|0|abbr=on}} when deflated), a special Level II version of the Airmatic air suspension system, emergency alarm system, intercom system, and underbody armour.^[59] As of 2011 it has an MSRP (in the Mexican market) of $1,954,900MXN Mexican Pesos, or approximately US$143,000 US Dollars.^[60]

E 250 BlueTEC concept (2009)

The E 250 BlueTEC is a concept vehicle based on the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY sedan, but with BlueTEC selective catalytic reduction and the 7G-Tronic Plus transmission. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show.^[61] The E 250 BlueTEC is capable of 28 MPG city/39 MPG highway.

Edition 125 (2011)

A version commemorating Karl Benz inventing the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine 125 years prior, for Hong Kong and Mexican markets. It is available for E 250, E 300 and E 350 models.^[62]

Motorsport

Erebus Motorsport competed in the Australian V8 Supercars Championship with E63 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.

References

External links

• The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Press kit: Sedan, E63 AMG
• Official website
• LEAKED: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212) brochures with detailed specification sheets!
• NTG3 Navigation

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