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4th
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Barcelona, Spain -- The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a staple in its segment. Wherever you call home on this ever-shrinking planet, the E-Class emerges as a very popular choice for the well-rounded: financially and psychologically.
Over the years, 13 million E-Class cars have been sold making it another Mercedes-Benz success story. As with every evolution of the car, the latest W212 car proved to be a knockout. In roughly three years, 700,000 sedans and 100,000 wagons were delivered.
The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class should prove to be even more popular. With sharper looks and a bountiful list of available powertrains and trim levels, it becomes the most complete and best thought-out lineup of cars within Mercedes' huge stable.
Proper evolution
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues the tradition of being many things to many owners. This time, emotions play a larger role. To glance at the car is to discover that the design team did a fantastic job evolving the W212's dynamic lines.
The front end is especially inspired. Trendy, standard LED headlamps (a first in the business) flow perfectly with the lower portion of the stunning, gaping front grille. The car's profile is tweaked with a feature line that runs below the rear door handle to the taillights.
The rear of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is very distinct. Clearly, the wagon wins where I'm concerned. Other than my severe bias toward the long-roof, the quarter panels are beefier and overall proportions are far more suited to this near statuesque car: the wagon's ice-cap-melting hot.
Business Class
As for the E-Class' cabin: It wasn't broke so Mercedes didn't fix it. Other than some new materials, the remainder is decidedly German: classy, austere and generally a great place to spend countless hours scouring the Spanish coast.
The seats in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are properly comfortable, providing support in all the right places. The cabin is roomy, as are the trunks, especially where the delightful wagon is concerned.
Here, technology and gadgets abound. One of my favourites is the available Splitview display. It allows each front occupant to watch what they please simultaneously on the same screen. Countless other infotainment features are available.
74 flavours
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers one of the most elaborate model menus I have ever seen. The new E-Class will offer more quality and pleasure by literally catering to nearly all needs. Get this: Over 15 different powertrains will be offered. Canada will only have access to six of said engines.
When it launches in mid-April 2013, four versions will be up for grabs: E 300 4MATIC sedan, E 350 4MATIC sedan and wagon, E-400 HYBRID (special order only), and the E 550 4MATIC sedan.
Save for the 550, all versions feature a 3.5L V6 in various states. Horsepowers range from 248 all the way up to 402 ponies. All E-Class engines are mated to a 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and 4MATIC AWD (save for the hybrid)
The “500” you see in the gallery is in fact a 550 (different in Europe). Needless to say, this barn-burning Bavarian Autobahn bashing wagon (and sedan) rolls with gusto. Perhaps the best part besides the effortless, lag-free acceleration is the subdued rumble following any amount of throttle pressure. Aural satisfaction has a name: German V8.
The next chapters
The other 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured is a 400. Motivated by an all new bi-turbo 3.0L V6, it develops 333 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Although this engine is slated to come to Canada, no introduction dates were announced.
This turbocharged V6 should be a popular choice. It delivers that extra punch needed in Merc's lineup to compete with BMW and Audi's force-fed 3.0L 6-pots. Although not as seat-of-the-pants forceful as the other two, it's all smooth, Merc power.
The next addition to the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC Sedan. Later on in 2013 (specifically, mid-September when the E 63 AMG launches), Merc's diesel engine will return. This time as a 4-cylinder 2.1L mill that will produce in the vicinity of 205 hp and 370 torques. More importantly, it will make this E-Class the most fuel efficient ever with ratings in the mid-5L/100km range.
The road beckons
The new E-Class feels tighter, sharper and smoother. It's as though every bolt was tightened, every seam sealed and weld remastered.
On winding roads, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class held to the tarmac with impressive ease and grip. I was also impressed by how well weight transfers were manipulated. Never did the near 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) wagon feel out of sorts.
Steering weighed up promptly when the twisties were entered, and never did the big cross-drilled vented discs falter. Essentially, this station wagon was oh-so close to being called a “performance wagon.” OK, I called it that, but was corrected the following day when I climbed aboard an E 63 AMG wagon...
Intelligent Drive = Safety
Intelligent Drive includes a complete array of active safety features such as Pre-Safe, Cross-traffic assist, and pedestrian detection (up to 50 km/h) that can bring the car to a full stop: in total, 11 new or improved assistance systems. The entire array of systems could make this car one of the safest on the road.
Winner
The new car is poised, luxurious and near perfect. As I drove along the Mediterranean coast and through the surrounding mountains, the E-Class never wavered in handling, braking or power. The sense of control was nothing short of spectacular -- and I looked boss behind the wheel.
Expect this new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class to take their success story into the next chapter.
 |
Over the years, 13 million E-Class cars have been sold making it another Mercedes-Benz success story. As with every evolution of the car, the latest W212 car proved to be a knockout. In roughly three years, 700,000 sedans and 100,000 wagons were delivered.
The new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class should prove to be even more popular. With sharper looks and a bountiful list of available powertrains and trim levels, it becomes the most complete and best thought-out lineup of cars within Mercedes' huge stable.
Proper evolution
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class continues the tradition of being many things to many owners. This time, emotions play a larger role. To glance at the car is to discover that the design team did a fantastic job evolving the W212's dynamic lines.
The front end is especially inspired. Trendy, standard LED headlamps (a first in the business) flow perfectly with the lower portion of the stunning, gaping front grille. The car's profile is tweaked with a feature line that runs below the rear door handle to the taillights.
The rear of the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is very distinct. Clearly, the wagon wins where I'm concerned. Other than my severe bias toward the long-roof, the quarter panels are beefier and overall proportions are far more suited to this near statuesque car: the wagon's ice-cap-melting hot.
Business Class
As for the E-Class' cabin: It wasn't broke so Mercedes didn't fix it. Other than some new materials, the remainder is decidedly German: classy, austere and generally a great place to spend countless hours scouring the Spanish coast.
The seats in the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class are properly comfortable, providing support in all the right places. The cabin is roomy, as are the trunks, especially where the delightful wagon is concerned.
Here, technology and gadgets abound. One of my favourites is the available Splitview display. It allows each front occupant to watch what they please simultaneously on the same screen. Countless other infotainment features are available.
 |
| Other than some new materials, the remainder is decidedly German: classy, austere and generally a great place to spend countless hours scouring the Spanish coast. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
74 flavours
The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers one of the most elaborate model menus I have ever seen. The new E-Class will offer more quality and pleasure by literally catering to nearly all needs. Get this: Over 15 different powertrains will be offered. Canada will only have access to six of said engines.
When it launches in mid-April 2013, four versions will be up for grabs: E 300 4MATIC sedan, E 350 4MATIC sedan and wagon, E-400 HYBRID (special order only), and the E 550 4MATIC sedan.
Save for the 550, all versions feature a 3.5L V6 in various states. Horsepowers range from 248 all the way up to 402 ponies. All E-Class engines are mated to a 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission and 4MATIC AWD (save for the hybrid)
The “500” you see in the gallery is in fact a 550 (different in Europe). Needless to say, this barn-burning Bavarian Autobahn bashing wagon (and sedan) rolls with gusto. Perhaps the best part besides the effortless, lag-free acceleration is the subdued rumble following any amount of throttle pressure. Aural satisfaction has a name: German V8.
The next chapters
The other 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured is a 400. Motivated by an all new bi-turbo 3.0L V6, it develops 333 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque. Although this engine is slated to come to Canada, no introduction dates were announced.
This turbocharged V6 should be a popular choice. It delivers that extra punch needed in Merc's lineup to compete with BMW and Audi's force-fed 3.0L 6-pots. Although not as seat-of-the-pants forceful as the other two, it's all smooth, Merc power.
The next addition to the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the E 250 BlueTEC 4MATIC Sedan. Later on in 2013 (specifically, mid-September when the E 63 AMG launches), Merc's diesel engine will return. This time as a 4-cylinder 2.1L mill that will produce in the vicinity of 205 hp and 370 torques. More importantly, it will make this E-Class the most fuel efficient ever with ratings in the mid-5L/100km range.
 |
| The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers one of the most elaborate model menus I have ever seen. The new E-Class will offer more quality and pleasure by literally catering to nearly all needs. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
The road beckons
The new E-Class feels tighter, sharper and smoother. It's as though every bolt was tightened, every seam sealed and weld remastered.
On winding roads, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class held to the tarmac with impressive ease and grip. I was also impressed by how well weight transfers were manipulated. Never did the near 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) wagon feel out of sorts.
Steering weighed up promptly when the twisties were entered, and never did the big cross-drilled vented discs falter. Essentially, this station wagon was oh-so close to being called a “performance wagon.” OK, I called it that, but was corrected the following day when I climbed aboard an E 63 AMG wagon...
Intelligent Drive = Safety
Intelligent Drive includes a complete array of active safety features such as Pre-Safe, Cross-traffic assist, and pedestrian detection (up to 50 km/h) that can bring the car to a full stop: in total, 11 new or improved assistance systems. The entire array of systems could make this car one of the safest on the road.
 |
| Intelligent Drive includes a complete array of active safety features such as Pre-Safe, Cross-traffic assist, and pedestrian detection. (Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre) |
Winner
The new car is poised, luxurious and near perfect. As I drove along the Mediterranean coast and through the surrounding mountains, the E-Class never wavered in handling, braking or power. The sense of control was nothing short of spectacular -- and I looked boss behind the wheel.
Expect this new 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class to take their success story into the next chapter.