Mercedes-Benz E-Class 2013

Whats New in 2013

The 2013 E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet gain mbrace2 telematics, electromechanical steering and heated front seats. The E400 Hybrid Sport Sedan debuts with a 305-horsepower V6 engine mated to a 27-horsepower electric motor.


Is it ‘World’s Best’ or ‘world’s best’? Never mind about those capital letters, the terminology is the correct label for the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

Yep the new E-class remains the ‘Big Kahuna’ of prestige mid-size sedans. Improved looks, improved engines, 11 new or improved safety technologies and price cuts across most models will do that.

In fact some of the developments introduced with the E-Class and now on-sale come from the updated Mercedes-Benz S-Class full-size sedan – which hasn’t been launched yet.
And how did all this come about? Mercedes-Benz listened to its customers – that’s how.

“The E-Class is the core of our brand,” explained Mercedes-Benz Australia chief Horst Von Sandon. “Our customers wanted more power, more aggression and more technology.”

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overview

Freshened looks (the Avantgarde spec is now standard), more technology, prices down and no V8 (apart from the E63 AMG) – that’s the summary of the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

In the engine department, the E500 has gone, replaced by the all-new E 400 bi-turbo V6.

And there’s a hybrid – the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID with combined cycle fuel consumption of just 4.3l/100kms.


E 200, E220 CDI, E 250 and E 250 CDI are here now. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID arrives next month and in September we’ll see the E 400 and E 63 AMG S.

This is the lineup:
Sedan
E 200 $79,900
E 220 CDI $82,400
E 250 $96,400
E 250 CDI $98,900
E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID $108,900
E 400 $128,900
E 63 AMG S $249,900

Estate
E 200 $86,900
E 250 CDI $106,700
E 400 $136,700

According to ‘Benz, the E 250 CDI Estate represents $23,000 of extra value compared to the previous model, the E 400 is better value than the E 350 by $20,000 and even the E 200 sedan leaves buyers $7,000 better-off.

 

Under the Hood : Mercedes-Benz E-Class Engine

For 2013, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has four engine choices and one hybrid gasoline/electric unit. Gasoline engines include the 210-horsepower, turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 BlueTEC diesel; a 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 in E350 variants; a 402-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8 for the E550 cars and the monster 518-horsepower, 5.5-liter V8 in the E63 AMG sedan and wagon. All E-Class engines run through a 7-speed automatic transmission with optional manual paddle shifting. The 4Matic all-wheel-drive system is available with either the 3.5-liter V6 or the 4.6-liter V8. The E63 AMG cars are equipped with the tuner's Speedshift transmission with Race Start and rev matching.

3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 (BlueTEC)
210 horsepower @ 3,400 rpm
400 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-2,400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 21/32

3.5-liter V6 (E350)
302 horsepower @ 6,500 rpm
273 lb-ft of torque @ 3,500-5,250 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 20/30 mpg (Sedan), 19/29 mpg (4Matic), 20/28 mpg (Coupe), 19/28 mpg (Cabriolet), 19/27 mpg (AWD Wagon)

3.5-liter V6/electric motor (Hybrid)
302 horsepower (gasoline engine), 27 hp (electric)
273 lb-ft of torque (gasoline engine), 207 lb-ft of torque (electric)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: NA

4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 (E550)
402 horsepower @ 5,000-5,750 rpm
443 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/26 mpg (AWD Sedan), 17/27 mpg (Coupe), 16/25 mpg (Cabriolet)

5.5-liter V8 (E63 AMG)
518 horsepower @ 5,250-5,750 rpm (550 horsepower optional)
516 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700-5,000 rpm (590 lb-ft of torque optional)
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/24 mpg (Sedan), 15/23 mpg (Wagon)

We’re going to twist the arms of Mercedes-Benz in September to secure a week in the new E 63 AMG S (the improved version of the model previously known as the Performance Package). For now let’s say with 430kW/800Nm the 5.5-litre V8 petrol engine accelerates the Mercedes-Benz E 63 AMG S from zero to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds.

Drive is to the rear wheels via a new version of the ‘Benz 7G-Tronic seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (AMG Speedshift seven-speed for the E 63 AMG).

The E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid will also be the subject of a full Car Showroom review. This is a remarkable 2.1-litre diesel with an electric motor mounted between the engine and transmission (so the hallmark E-Class interior and boot remain unchanged in the hybrid version). Maximum power is 170kW and peak torque is 750Nm. With fuel consumption rated at 4.3l/100kms, ‘Benz says the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID is the segment’s most fuel-efficient vehicle.

 Notable Equipment

Standard Equipment  All 2013 E-Class models come with an impressive list of standard features. Electronic Brake Assist is standard across the line, as is the 7-speed transmission with paddle shifters fitted to the new multifunction steering wheel. Other standard equipment includes mbrace2 telematics, an 8-speaker 6-disc CD/DVD system, a 7-inch LCD display and a plethora of comfort and convenience features. Safety features include a full array of airbags plus the LATCH (lower anchors and tethers for children) system. Electronic stability control, long a standard on most Mercedes-Benz cars, is now required by the government to be fitted on all 2013 models.

Optional Equipment Options of note on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models include Sport and Luxury Design Packages, the Distronic Plus Package with Pre-Safe Braking and Parktronic parking assist and Premium Packages offering Bluetooth connectivity, iPod/MP3 capability, HD radio and more. For the Sedan and Wagon, leather upholstery is optional and, on all models, the seating is available with heating, ventilation and even massage functions for the driver. Available assistance systems include the Lane Keeping Assist (in both passive and active forms) and Blind Spot Assist.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class The Interior

Noticeable changes as soon as you climb inside the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Most obvious is the two-part trim used on the dashboard, new design air vents and - between the two central vents - a new analogue clock.


Instruments are unchanged but the Avantgarde spec brings important improvements – two-tone colour schemes can be ordered for no extra cost, the upscale steering wheel as standard as is ‘Black Ashwood’ trim. There’s also new-design buttons and dials, new steering column-mounted gear lever, indicator and cruise control stalks, a new design centre console, Harman Kardon audio and three-colour ambient lighting.






Naturally trim levels alter across the model grades but the core is unchanged – multiple adjustments for the steering wheel and seat deliver an optimal driving position, there’s plenty of for-aft adjustment so even lanky drivers and passengers have plenty of legroom and rear seat passengers enjoy good comfort as well.

 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Exterior & Styling

Adoption of the ‘Avantgarde’ specification as standard is significant as there’s now no ‘three-pointed-star’ emblem on the bonnet. Yep, the large centre-grille mounted emblem is the only way you can buy an E-Class now.

And the latest E-Class adopts the ‘soft’ pedestrian-friendly front-end which also features the new-look one-piece LED headlights which cleverly still incorporate the hallmark E-Class four-lights.


New horizontally-structured rear LED lights with a two-tone look give a freshened, wider appearance to the rear.


Elsewhere the E-Class also adopts the sports pack as standard – side sills, 18-inch alloy wheels, a feature line for the rear three-quarter panels, drilled front brake discs and sports suspension.

 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Favorite Features

DISTRONIC PLUS SAFETY PACKAGE
It's tough to get excited about safety features, but the Distronic Plus Safety Package's features are truly special. The Pre-Safe Brake system uses radar to warn the driver of imminent collision and even applies the brakes to minimize impact.

SPORT PACKAGE
Ok, so the Sport Package only shows outwardly with bigger wheels and comes with a swanky contrasting interior. You should buy it for the stiffened (and lowered) suspension, which properly livens up the car's handling.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class On The Road

Mercedes-Benz runs media launch programs like it designs cars – comprehensive, concise and precise. Not even Melbourne’s worst winter weather and the threat of a ‘Severe Weather Alert’ in the area we were driving got this program ‘off-message’.

So, despite the shocking conditions, in a day, Car Showroom sampled three of the latest E-Class sedans – entry-level E 200 (petrol) and E 250 (petrol) and the E 250 CDI (diesel). Yes the windscreen wipers, traction and stability control all work just fine thanks.

Bottom line is the E-Class is as good as ever – taut, German chassis, crisp turn-in, wonderful balance and sublime refinement. And, as usual, even the least powerful, entry-level E 200 delivers more than enough acceleration at both low and mid-range engine speeds so it’s at home in both the city and country in terms of acceleration.

The E 250 CDI was our favourite on the day thanks to its strong mid-range torque.

And we can’t wait to drive the E 400, E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID and E 63 AMG S.

 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Challenges

‘Excellent’, ‘elegant’ and ‘refined’ are all terms you could apply to the dashboard of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. ‘Cutting Edge’ and ‘Contemporary’ are terms you couldn’t apply. We don’t expect an all-new E-class for the best part of two years, but when it comes, we suspect it will follow the lead of the A-Class and head in a totally new, more futuristic direction.

 

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Verdict

Motoring journalists don’t agree on much. But after the Mercedes-Benz E-Class media launch, a car-load of us were driving back to the airport and without exception we all said: “Yep this is the car I’d buy.”

We’ve said that since the launch of the current generation E-Class.

And, as we’ve said a number of times, the E 63 AMG is far-and-away the best high-performance sedan we’ve driven. Period.

Now the latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class has arrived with new more fuel-efficient engines, more life-saving technology and prices down/better value. Nothing more to say really.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class The Competition

If you told us we couldn’t buy a Mercedes-Benz E-Class, our next choice would be the Audi A6. Priced from $77,900 to $114,000, the Audi does represent great buying but moreover presents the best of Audi’s Teutonic design outside and especially inside. The range-topping 3.0 TFSI with the 220kW/440Nm supercharged V6 and all-wheel-drive is stunner.

Our other favourite is the XF Jaguar. History will show the beautiful XJ is a breakout car for the British marque and some say the total package beats the best of Germany. The entry-level 2.2-litre turbo-diesel at $78,900 is great value and the supercharged V8 XFR is a genuine superstar to rival the E 63 AMG.

We love the look of the latest Lexus GS ($77,900 to $121,900) inside and out and its improved chassis dynamics means the Japanese mid-sizer takes it up to the Germans.

We’ve hardly seen the BMW 5 Series in the Car Showroom garage. The 520d we did test was competent enough but how the 535, 550 or M5 compare to their E-Class rivals which we have driven, we can’t say. The BMW 5 Series ranges from $77,900 t0 $230,000.