The international launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class only concluded last week, but it looks as though we won’t have to wait very long for Stuttgart’s 5-Series fighter to reach our shores.
By Gareth Dean
The local E-Class lineup and model introduction dates will be as follows:
Petrol
- E200 CGI BlueEfficiency – 5-speed Automatic – September 2009
- E300 – Direct – 7G TRONIC – July 2009
- E350 – 7G TRONIC – July 2009
- E500 – Direct 7G TRONIC – July 2009
- E63 AMG – 7-speed MCT dual-clutch transmission – 2010
Click here to read more about the E63 AMG.
The E200 CGI BlueEfficiency is a new introduction to the E-Class engine range that forms part of the company’s fuel-saving initiative, which will see the introduction of a number of 4-cylinder powerplants with forced induction to several model ranges. This unit 1,8-litre unit develops the same output as the current E200 Kompressor (135 kW/270 N.m) but is equipped with a turbocharger as opposed to the current engine’s supercharger. This model completes the 0-100 km/h sprint in a claimed 8,7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 236 km/h.
The E300 uses the same 3,0-litre V6 unit found in the current E280, so the outputs remain unchanged (170 kW/300 N.m). The company’s new model-naming strategy means this model will wear the E300 nomenclature.
The E350 is a ‘homogenous’ direct injection engine which is not the same as the ‘stratified’ direct injection unit, which wears the E350 CGI BlueEfficiency nomenclature. According to MBSA, the benefits of this unit are reduced fuel consumption with the same power output (200 kW/350 N.m) as the current 3,5-litre V6.
The E500 retains the company’s 5,4-litre V8 engine and its 285 kW/530 N.m output.
Diesel
- E250 CDI – 5-speed Automatic – September 2009
- E350 CDI – Direct 7G TRONIC – September 2009
The E250 CDI BlueEfficiency is a new engine set to replace the 2,1-litre common rail unit in the current E220 CDI. This twin-turbocharged 2,1-litre engine develops 155 kW and 500 N.m of torque, taking this model from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 8,2 seconds and on to a top speed of 242 km/h.
Much like the E300 petrol model, the E350 CDI is nomenclature change for the E320 CDI. This 3,0-litre common rail unit develops 170 kW and 540 N.m of torque.
Mercedes-Benz has also announced that the E-Class Coupé will also reach our market this year in the following model forms:
- E-Class Coupe E350 – Auto – July 2009
- E-Class Coupe E500 – Auto – July 2009
The E-Class Cabriolet will reach our market in 2010.
MBSA has cited South Africa’s poor fuel quality as the reason behind its engine strategy, giving the example of the CGI engines requiring a lot less sulphur to reach their optimal performance whilst keeping engine wear and oil degradation within acceptable levels.
View a video of the new E-Class at the international launch in Madrid, Spain.
