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maggio 04, 2016 - Mercedes-Benz

The birth of the E-Class, rooted in tradition

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The #mercedesbenz E-Class and its predecessors are representatives of a unique tradition in the automotive luxury and intermediate categories. The technical innovativeness and trendsetting design behind the successful model series from #mercedesbenz have made their mark on this whole segment. The latest generation, the 213 model series launched in 2016, paves the way for the future – along with a wide range of systems that play their part in accident prevention and the possibility of semi-autonomous driving.The E-Class’s #heritage dates back to the very early days of the brand. For even in the early part of the 20th century, the companies that preceded today’s Daimler AG were making their mark on this vehicle segment: vehicles that are positioned below the top-of-the-range and luxury classes, yet above the compact class, have always been an essential part of the model portfolio of #mercedesbenz and the brands that came before. The Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG), for example, brought out the Mercedes-Simplex 28/32 hp in 1904, while Benz & Cie. launched its 24/40 hp model in 1906. In 1914, before the outbreak of the First World War, the mercedes range comprised ten passenger car models, of which no fewer than four can be categorised as belonging to the E-Class segment. The sales programme at Benz was similarly positioned in terms of the number of different models and their classification.Following the merger between the two companies in 1926 to form Daimler-Benz AG, the model portfolio was completely restructured. The first passenger cars to emerge under the new brand name #mercedesbenz included the 8/38 hp model (W 02) of 1926, which was known from 1928 onwards as the #mercedesbenz 8/38 hp Stuttgart 200. Like the 10/50 hp Stuttgart 260 (W 11) of 1928, it can be considered a predecessor to the E-Class. The same is also true of the models that followed it in the 1930s, the types 200 (1933) and 230 (1936), along with the diesel variant 260 D (W 138, 1936) – the world’s first passenger car with a diesel engine.As such, the brand is now able to look back on more than 110 years of experience in the medium-size category. Since 1993, Mercedes-Benz’s mid-range series has been known as the E-Class.When production started up again after the Second World War, one of the first cars to appear, initially for use by rescue services, police and for commercial and trade purposes, was the model 170 V, originally introduced in 1936. It was soon followed, in 1947, by a saloon version as the first post-war #mercedesbenz passenger car. The 180 model (W 120) of 1953 with self-supporting “Ponton” body introduced new technical as well as formal features. It was followed in 1961 by the four-cylinder version of the “Fintail” model series (W 110). The next major step came seven years later in the form of the “Stroke 8” (model series W 115/114). At the same time, with the arrival of the first coupé model, this marked a widening of the scope of available body variants. Its success was once again rivalled only by the model that followed in 1976: the 123 series. This was also produced in an estate version – with which #mercedesbenz set a new benchmark for the estate car as a lifestyle and recreational vehicle ideal for families. The 124 series of the years 1984 to 1995, which was also available as a four-seater cabriolet, was first given the name E-Class in mid-1993.The “four eyes” of its face and its innovative technology were the characteristic features of the 210 model series launched in 1995. Early 2002 saw the E-Class of the model series 211 come onto the market, followed in 2009 by the series 212 (Saloon and Estate) and 207 (Cabriolet and Coupé). In 2016 #mercedesbenz introduces the E-Class of the model series 213 to the market.Technical innovation and authoritative styling define the face of the #mercedesbenz E-Class. No other model family produced by the Stuttgart brand has offered such a wide range of different body types, encompassing Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet, over such a long period. On top of these there are also special versions such as chassis units and long-wheelbase saloons.170 V – 170 DS (W 136/W 191), 1947 to 1955July 1947 saw the start of production for the first post-war #mercedesbenz passenger car, the 170 V (W 136). The new model was based primarily on the pre-war model of the same name which, with sales of some 73,000 units, was the highest-selling #mercedesbenz model before 1945. In the years that followed, the 170 V once again became the mainstay of the passenger car range for #mercedesbenz: the 170 D diesel car was not the only model to be derived by the engineers from the 1.7-litre petrol-engined saloon. There was also a more spacious and more luxurious 170 S saloon model, joined from 1952 onwards by a particularly efficient diesel variant as well, the 170 DS (W 191). With their spacious bodies, exceptional ride comfort and the overall impression of quality and good taste, these models embodied the attributes that are, even to this day, considered the strengths of the E-Class. The last stage of development for the W 136 model series is represented by the models 170 S-V and 170 S-D, introduced by #mercedesbenz in 1953. The last vehicles left the production line in September 1955.180 D – 190 “Ponton” (W 120/W 121), 1953 to 1962The introduction of the #mercedesbenz 180 in August 1953 heralded a new era. The integral, “self-supporting” nature of its body construction marked a departure from the established convention of a chassis and a separate body. The “Ponton” shape, too, was deemed ultra-modern and served to reduce both wind resistance and fuel consumption. The 180 thus came to symbolise the innovative capabilities of #mercedesbenz, expressed time after time in the development of the E-Class. It was followed in 1954 by the diesel variant, the 180 D, with a third model, the #mercedesbenz 190, joining the line-up in 1956 and the 190 D in 1958. All in all, a “Ponton” four-cylinder model became the customer’s choice on some 443,000 occasions.The debut of the #mercedesbenz 180 has had an impact on reports about new cars in German-speaking countries that is felt to this day: an article in the German motoring magazine “auto, motor und sport” in 1952 showed a first picture of a prototype, alongside a parody of the ballad “Erlkönig” by the poet Goethe that begins (in a literal translation), “Who rides, so late, through night and wind?”. The term “Erlkönig”, or “King of the Elves”, is still commonly used in Germany for a camouflaged prototype.190 D – 230 “Fintail” (W 110), 1961 to 1968The generation of intermediate models that was introduced in 1961 is instantly recognisable by the distinctive tail fins on the rear wings - the source of the nickname given to this model series. They were considered to offer the ideal combination of spaciousness, comfort, performance, value for money and economic efficiency. The passenger compartment, with crumple zones front and rear, was designed to be resistant to deformation and set new standards of safety. The first models to become available were the 190 und 190 D saloon models, also available for the first time from 1962 on with automatic transmission. They were followed in 1965 by the models 200 and 200 D, which featured improvements in terms of both appointments and engineering. The 230 model launched at the same time introduced a six-cylinder model to the product portfolio. The progress made in driving safety is documented by the arrival, from 1963 on, of the dual-circuit braking system with brake booster and front disc brakes. Back in the mid-60s, the “Fintail” models already offered their occupants such optional luxuries as automatic transmission, power steering, electrically operated windows, a steel sliding roof and air conditioning - features that are now taken for granted.200 D – 280 E “Stroke 8” (W 115/W 114), 1968 to 1976More than 1.8 million units were sold of this saloon model, launched in early 1968, making it the first million-seller for #mercedesbenz. The first to become available were the four-cylinder models 200, 220, 200 D and 220 D (W 115), along with the six-cylinder 230 and 250 models (W 114). The addition of “/8” to the model designation pointed to the year of their debut, 1968, but was used internally to differentiate these models from their predecessors. Its use led ultimately to the popular sobriquet of “Stroke 8”. For the first time, an elegant coupé version was now also available. This very successful two-seater model provided a foretaste of the future wealth of variety to be found in the #mercedesbenz upper mid-size category. In 1972 the line-up was further enhanced by the top-of-the-range 280 and 280 E models. The world premiere of the first five-cylinder diesel engine in a production vehicle came in 1974 in the 240 D 3.0. It was in fact the first five-cylinder passenger-car diesel per se and, with an output of 80 hp (59 kW), ably demonstrated the potential capability of the passenger car diesel engine.200 D – 280 E (W 123), 1976 to 1985The diversity of the new generation of models, the like of which had never been seen before, made them immensely popular when launched in January 1976, although the high demand meant that some customers had to wait up to a year for their new car. The first year already saw the introduction of the models 200, 230, 250, 280 and 280 E, as well as the 200 D, 220 D, 240 D and 300 D. The Saloon was followed in 1977 by the Coupé, a long-wheelbase saloon and the Estate variant, the first vehicle of this type to be produced ex factory. This five-door model made its debut in September 1977 and set a new benchmark for the estate car as a lifestyle and recreational vehicle ideal for families. The “T” in the Estate model’s German designation as a “T-model” stands for “Tourism and Transport”, serving to underline the dual role for this very versatile intermediate-class vehicle. In 1980 the Estate model also became the first #mercedesbenz passenger car in Germany to be fitted with a turbo diesel engine. The 123 model series saw #mercedesbenz offer the anti-lock braking system ABS, from 1980 on, and the driver’s airbag, from 1982 on, for the first time in this class of vehicle. The model series led the success story of the mid-range series to new sales records: some 2.7 million vehicles were built, of which almost 2.4 million were Saloons and around 200,000 Estates.200 D – E 60 AMG (W 124), 1984 to 1996The model series launched in 1984 was the first family of vehicles from #mercedesbenz to bear the E-Class name, adopted in 1993. Systematic use of lightweight construction techniques and optimised aerodynamics reduced fuel consumption and led to improvements in performance. Outstanding handling safety was ensured by the car’s innovative multi-link independent suspension. #mercedesbenz also took on a pioneering role when it came to reducing emissions of harmful substances: from the autumn of 1986 on, all vehicles with a petrol engine were fitted as standard with an emission control system involving a closed-loop three-way catalytic converter. The model range comprised the body variants Saloon, Estate, Coupé, Cabriolet and a long-wheelbase saloon model – the Cabriolet was the new variant here that once again added to the diversity of the range. #mercedesbenz also introduced its innovative all-wheel drive system 4MATIC for the Saloons and Estates in the intermediate class. The 500 E launched in 1990 saw a powerful eight-cylinder become available for the first time in the E-Class. In June 1993, following a second series of modifications, the 124 model series was relaunched with a new name: this was now the E-Class family of vehicles, thus aligning it with the S-Class and C-Class. The designations for the individual models were made up of the letter E and a three-digit number indicating the engine displacement. Although the various body shapes still formed part of the name of the vehicle, they were no long indicated in the badge on the boot lid.E 200 Diesel – E 55 AMG (W 210), 1995 to 2002The new mid-range series from #mercedesbenz first opened its four eyes on the world in 1995, and was immediately awarded the “red dot” design prize. For the first time, the E-Class now came with a choice of three equipment lines: CLASSIC, ELEGANCE and AVANTGARDE. Numerous technical highlights, from the Electronic Traction System ETS through to the belt force limiter, became part of the standard specification, with further innovations such as the rain sensor or xenon headlamps available as optional extras. The new E-Class made its debut in 1995 with the models E 200, E 230, E 280, E 320 and E 420, along with the E 220 Diesel, E 290 Turbodiesel and E 300 Diesel. Three further models joined the line-up over the ensuing years – among them the innovative E 220 CDI with common-rail direct injection of 1998 and the E 200 Kompressor in 2000. The amazing amount of space offered by the Estate model - the largest load capacity in its class - made it particularly impressive. From the autumn of 1999, all E-Class models came equipped with the Electronic Stability Program ESP®.E 200 CDI – E 63 AMG (W 211), 2002 to 2009The new technical features here ranged from adaptive front airbags and two-stage belt force limiters to the bi-xenon headlamps with active light function and the sensor-controlled automatic climate control system. In 2004 #mercedesbenz went on to launch the E 200 NGT, the most powerful standard-production saloon with an eco-friendly natural-gas drive system. In 2005, three standard-specification E 320 CDI models set a long-distance speed record on the circuit at Laredo in Texas, driving 100,000 miles (160,934 kilometres) at an average speed of 224.823 km/h. In 2006 the Intelligent Light System made a new generation of adaptive headlamps available, exclusively in the E-Class. These adjust to the prevailing driving and weather conditions, thus offering a significant enhancement in terms of safety. That same year also saw the E 320 BlueTEC become the first passenger car introduced by #mercedesbenz to feature both the latest diesel technology and a world premiere at the same time. 2007 brought the E 350 CGI with a state-of-the-art direct petrol injection engine. The renowned US market research institute J. D. Power and Associates conferred the “J.D. Power Award” in gold on the E-Class in 2008, presented for the highest-quality vehicle in its market segment.E 200 CDI – E 63 S AMG (W 212), 2009 to 2016Innovative assistance systems, fuel consumption as much as 23 percent lower than that of its predecessor and a particularly distinctive design are the characteristics of this generation of the E-Class. The Saloon (W 212) and Estate (S 212) models were joined by a Coupé (C 207) and a Cabriolet (A 207) that superseded the successful CLK models to round off the E-Class model portfolio. With a drag coefficient, or Cd value, of 0.24, the Coupé was the world’s most aerodynamic standard-production automobile when it was launched. A special long-wheelbase version of the E-Class, with 14 centimetres more legroom in the rear, was introduced in 2010 for the Chinese market. The E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID presented in 2010, the first diesel-hybrid passenger car from #mercedesbenz, set new standards for environmentally friendly mobility. It entered the market along with the E 400 HYBRID in 2011. An extensively updated range of E-Class models appeared in 2013, featuring a new design idiom, new efficient engines and Intelligent Drive, a package of eleven new or optimised assistance systems that combined safety and comfort. For the first time, the E-Class was available with two different front ends: the standard model and the ELEGANCE equipment line both retained the traditional radiator grille with the mercedes star on the bonnet, while the AVANTGARDE line was characterised by its sporty front-end design with a centrally positioned star.E 220 d – E 43 4MATIC (W 213), since 2016The latest, 2016 generation of the E-Class takes #mercedesbenz forward into the future. For this 213 model series offers a comprehensive range of accident-avoidance systems as well as functions allowing semi-autonomous driving. The optionally available DRIVE PILOT, for example, automatically maintains the correct distance from moving vehicles ahead, on all types of roads, and follows them at up to 210 km/h. Active Lane Change Assist helps when overtaking if the indicator is activated for at least two seconds. Standard features include Active Brake Assist, which will also initiate autonomous braking if necessary, as well as an ATTENTION ASSIST system with adjustable sensitivity and Crosswind Assist. Taken together, the systems in the E-Class make driving more comfortable, and safer, than ever before, while taking the pressure off the driver to an extent never achieved before. The exterior and interior design of this most intelligent of business saloons is clear, sensual and characterised by its high-quality materials. The optionally available Widescreen Cockpit comprises two high-resolution display screens, each with a screen diagonal of 12.3 inches, which merge together into a single display that appears to be free-floating. Touch Controls in the steering wheel make it possible for the first time to operate a car as you would a smartphone, via its touchscreen. The smartphone itself turns into a digital vehicle key, courtesy of NFC technology (Near Field Communication), and controls automatic parking of the vehicle, even in tight spaces, via the Remote Parking Pilot.