The E-Class Range: Four Attractive Models

An innovative family at the heart of the brand

• Complete: the Cabriolet is one of four models in the E-Class range
• Innovative: all variants are characterized by ground-breaking new products and features
• Successful: the E-Class is the clear leader in its market segment

In 2009, Mercedes-Benz embarked on the renewal of the E-Class model family - with the market launch of the Cabriolet, the portfolio will be complete. A number of technical innovations have been incorporated into the new E-Class which no other car in this class is able to offer - from drowsiness detection to automatic emergency braking when an accident is recognized as imminent, and from Adaptive Highbeam Assist to Night View Assist Plus. The E-Class is one the safest vehicles in its segment, a fact which has also been proven by independent crash tests and the specialist press.

In addition, there is the fuel efficientE350 BLUETEC,powered by a 3.0-liter V6 diesel with 210 horsepower, an impressive 400 lb.-ft. of torque and approximately 30 percent better fuel economy than a comparable gasoline engine.There is also an AMG version producing 518 hp and the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC. Exemplary aerodynamics are yet another feature of the model range: with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, the sedan is the most aerodynamically efficient four-door car in the world, while the model range's Coupé achieves the best overall figure for a series-production car with a Cd figure of just 0.24.

"The renewal of the E-Class model family at the heart of the Mercedes brand has come at precisely the right time. The success of the new E-Class shows that even in what are now economically turbulent times, Mercedes brand values such as safety and efficiency, combined with timeless elegance and superior comfort, enjoy particular significance among discerning customers", explains Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The four models in the current Mercedes luxury class series:

• The E-Class Sedan: the benchmark in the luxury class.
  U.S. Market launch: June 2009
• The E-Class Coupé: excitement can be this efficient.
  U.S. Market launch: June 2009
• The E-Class Wagon: intelligent and state-of-the-art.
  U.S. Market launch: June 2010
• The E-Class Cabriolet: the 4-seater for all 4 seasons.
  U.S. Market launch: May 2010

Besides the innovations which all of the models of this family share, the individual variants have a number of new products and features to enhance the comfort, safety and appeal which are specific to this model. With the new AIRCAP® feature, enhanced AIRSCARF® and also the standard sound-dampening soft top, the new E-Class Cabriolet for example provides all-year-round comfort which is unique in the segment of open-top vehicles. "The development of AIRCAP® is an example of the perseverance and tenacity of our engineers and technicians: convinced of the customer benefit of an automatic wind deflector, our specialists have finally found the Mercedes solution - easy to use and always there", says Dr. Thomas Weber, Daimler Board Member for Corporate Research and Head of Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

For its part, in addition to air suspension with self-levelling at the rear as standard, the Wagon also provides unique new load compartment management features.

"Never before have we had such an effective presence with our E-Class model series as we have with today's range. Sedan, Wagon, Coupé and Cabriolet all share the same winning genes, yet appeal to our customers in a very individual way. This mixture has been extremely well received by our customers. With the new Cabriolet we are complementing our successful E-Class family with yet another particularly emotionally appealing model, in which our customers can continue to enjoy the Cabriolet season even longer thanks to the unique automatic draught-stop", confirms Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

As such, the E-Class is the clear leader in its market segment: in Germany the E-Class Sedan enjoys a market share of around 60 percent in its respective segment, while in the USA it shares approximately 20 percent.