April 12, 200619 yr Mercedes-Benz at the New York International Auto Show 2006: World premiere of the new-generation E-Class New York, Apr 12, 2006 The world premiere of the new-generation E-Class will be the focal point of Mercedes-Benz’ presentation at the New York International Auto Show 2006. After four years in production and around a million vehicles sold, the facelift of the world-beating executive saloon is cleaner, safer, more powerful and of better value than ever before. The new-generation E-Class once again sets the benchmark first and foremost through its outstanding safety features. The standard equipment includes the anticipatory PRE-SAFE® system whose “reflexes” respond before an impending collision by activating protective measures for the driver and front passenger. What’s more, the safest car in its class takes agility and driving pleasure to new heights. This comes courtesy of the DIRECT CONTROL package, with more direct steering and a retuned suspension, and six new or enhanced engines which develop up to 26 per cent more output and 18 per cent more torque whilst maintaining the same excellent levels of fuel economy. Tying in with the E-Class premiere, the new-generation SL is also making its US debut at the New York show. “The new generations of the E- and SL-Class make it clear that Mercedes-Benz offers its customers attractive vehicles featuring state-of-the-art technology,” explained Dr. Klaus Maier, Board of Management member with responsibility for Marketing and Sales, at the Mercedes-Benz Press Conference. “Both new models,” Maier continued, “reinforce Mercedes-Benz’ claim to building the best cars in the world. The most recent example of this is the new-generation E-Class, the cleanest, safest and most powerful E-Class of all time.“ For over 60 years the E-Class and its predecessors have been the “heart” of Mercedes-Benz, representing basic brand values like safety, comfort, innovation, economy and quality. Since 1946 Mercedes-Benz has delivered some ten million luxury saloons to customers. In June 2006 the E-Class will be unveiled with an even more dynamic concept, additional pioneering innovations and an upgraded standard specification. 29 model variants will be available - 16 Saloons and 13 Estates. As such, Mercedes-Benz will be offering the largest, most varied model range in this market segment. With outputs ranging from 100 kW/136 hp to 378 kW/514 hp, the new-generation E-Class outpaces the previous model range (90 kW/122 hp to 350 kW/476 hp) and its competitors in all displacement and output classes. A revamped front-end design reflects the power, poise and assurance of the new model range. E 320 BLUETEC – the world’s cleanest diesel vehicle Since 2004, the E-Class in the guise of the E 320 CDI is the first diesel model in the premium-class segment in the United States. Starting in the fall of 2006 Mercedes-Benz will launch the first BLUETEC production vehicle. The trailblazing BLUETEC technology significantly reduces nitrogen oxide emissions. The E 320 BLUETEC is the world’s cleanest diesel vehicle, using 20 to 40 per cent less fuel than comparable petrol-engined vehicles. In Europe Mercedes-Benz plans to launch BLUETEC in a passenger car model by 2008. New SL generation: US debut at historic site 52 years after the first SL (W198) was unveiled in New York, its latest successor is now making its US debut in the same city. Just as with the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz has once again significantly enhanced the new model range of the iconic sports car in every respect, thanks amongst other things to a completely new range of engines. Source: DaimlerChrysler
April 12, 200619 yr It looks different? Without a side-by-side I don't think I can tell the difference...
April 12, 200619 yr Author It looks different? Without a side-by-side I don't think I can tell the difference... Even with a side-by-side I'm not sure you could tell the difference. Here are some more pics:
April 12, 200619 yr Author Is that the new one or the old one Var? I...forget. Seriously, it's the new one.
April 12, 200619 yr Interior and powertrain look great, but the exterior is way too similar to the current one. If Cadillac "redesigned" the STS or CTS like that, they'd get ripped to hell.
April 12, 200619 yr Yawn. What a let down. The quad-headlight cue really is starting to look like a mix between a '96 Taurus and a Kia Amanti.
April 13, 200619 yr Is this the same PRE-SAFE system that ran the cars into each other? And all-new? Talk about a liberal definition. Been there, done that. Like None Other.
April 13, 200619 yr The interior looks fantastic. Too bad Eclasses cost so much more than the competition.
April 14, 200619 yr Is this the same PRE-SAFE system that ran the cars into each other? And all-new? Talk about a liberal definition. Been there, done that. Like None Other. No, that's Distronic+. PRE-SAFE prepares the car for crashing; it doesn't help avoid them.
April 14, 200619 yr Maybe I'm blind... but outside of the Steeringwheel being different, the interior looks identical to the current model:
April 14, 200619 yr Ven: likely (and hopefully) Benz addressed the quality of the interior materials. MB doesn't need to improve their design or ergonomics all that much...they've been using the same general layouts for decades, and they work for the most part. I am going to go out on a limb here and assume that this new E-Class addresses the electrical gremlins that plague the current generation while maintaining virtually the same style, interior and exterior with maybe a few additional features as optional/standard equipment. In my opinion, they really don't need to do anything else as it still looks fresh.
April 15, 200619 yr 'Based on the model's history,' I think Benz has a long way to go to earn back real respect instead of weak fanboyism from people who only lust for the 3-point star regardless of the substance (or lack thereof) behind it.
April 15, 200619 yr The problem with MB is that their "real" new gens take forever to be produced...look at the MB's between 5-6 years ago...the design was WAY behind lower priced cars at the time.
April 16, 200619 yr Are they kidding? At the premium price they are charging for this car and it barely likes any different from the current model? Well, good then when the STS and CTS is redone they will just spank MB!
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