New York Auto Show - 2007 Mercedes Benz E-Class shocker
Typically known for their stoic pressers, Mercedes Benz juiced up the 2007 E-Class conference with a bit of the 'shock and awe' approach so popular with their American counterparts at Dodge and Chrysler. Given that the new model looks remarkably similar to the outgoing edition, that may have been a worthwhile tactic. In addition to the standard speeches, Benz lowered a man from the ceiling in a chainmail suit with a large staff. Along with three identically-dressed dancers, a large bolt of electricity was generated and sent from the dancers (and the heavy metal hangman) and on through to the E-Class. The sight and the attendant 'zapping' sound was enough to gain everyone's attention, and DCX was thoughtful enough to request that those with pacemakers and aversions to electrical storms step back a bit before the conference started.
The new E's external differences include a new "more aggressive" front bumper and air dam, along with a revamped grille, revised head-and-tail lights, and new side mirrors, but the real action is underneath.
Click through to the jump for more details and live shots, including select high-res images!
Beneath the familiar skin, however, the new E packs a raft of new technological features, including the now standard-issue Pre-Safe proactive safety measures package found in the S-Class. The new E girds itself for crimped sheetmetal by closing any windows and the sunroof, reeling in the slack on the seatbelts, and optimizing seat positions. Additionally, certain models will benefit from active taillamps that flash when panic braking is sensed. The next generation of intelligent headlamps that automatically sense the type of roadway the vehicle is traveling on, and maximizes the available candlepower for that situation (e.g. longer cast for highway running, more peripheral vision during city driving, etc.).
Standard equipment now includes a large glass sunroof, a Harman/Kardon Logic 7 stereo with six-disc changer, and the wagon model now includes a power liftgate feature. The interior also features a new steering wheel and shift lever, revamped automatic climate control buttonry, and four new interior colors.
Under the hood, the E350 continues to use the four-valve-per cylinder V6 (good for 268 hp/258 lb.-ft.), but the E500 is now known as the E550, to reflect its new 5.5-liter 32-valve V8 (382 hp/391 lb.-ft.). Also broomed is the top-gun E55 AMG, replaced with the E63, now displacing 6.3-liters (503 hp/465 lb.-ft.). The latter includes cylinder bores employing a twin-wire-arc -sprayed coating (TWAS), which results in a surface twice as hard as standard cast-iron cylinders.
Of course, DCX has been big on their Bluetec diesel initiative, and the E320CDI will henceforth be known as the E320 Bluetec, incorporating a new 3.0-liter turbodiesel . Power figures were not yet released.
The E550 and and E63 AMG are pictured.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
David 1:15PM (4/12/2006)
That pointy bumper effect sure looks pretty, but I don't think it could escape a 5 mph wall impact without a few grand in damage. The Honda Odyssey of a few years ago had a similar treatment, and it performed miserably in that crash test.
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Eric L. 1:24PM (4/12/2006)
Reminds me of the Top Gear episode where Richard Hammond sat inside a VW diesel (I think it was a polo or lupo) while huge electrical coils zapped the car. Being a diesel, it kept running! Something cool would have been if it was a diesel Benz up there and after getting hit by the tesla coil, it drives off the stage.
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JS 1:31PM (4/12/2006)
Reminds me of a one of those Korean of Chinese cars....cant remember which one. Maybe a really old Hyundai Sonata with the funky grill and seperate headlights. Anyway, I look forward to picking up an E55 AMG used soon. Thanks MB for making ugly new-gen cars!
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G 2:10PM (4/12/2006)
Wow! now the front looks more like the Kia Amanti! You would think they would move away from that design, but instead they copy the ones copying them. brilliant
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z 2:18PM (4/12/2006)
looks to much like the last generation s-class
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Applebox 4:38PM (4/12/2006)
#2 I saw that Top Gear Episode. And it's the first thing I thought of as well. I think that was a Golf and it was a rental.
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G. Snyder 4:47PM (4/12/2006)
"looks to much like the last generation s-class"
Wake up Z, it is basically a freshining of the current E class with some new technology under the hood and some exterior tweaks.
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Paul Newman 8:55PM (4/12/2006)
I own a 2004 E 500 4Matic and it sure as heck looks a lot better than this disco looking gross front end! What are they thinking?
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Ed 10:05AM (4/13/2006)
I have the 06 and while I can see the stlying changes, I don't see them as better or worse - just different. I love the 06 and I would love the 07.
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Enrique Garc? 5:20PM (4/13/2006)
An good and cautios evolution... then again you don't want to mess with what could probably be the worls most wanted car.
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cccheung 9:34AM (4/21/2006)
Forget about the looks. Anything with 6.3 liters, 32 valves, 510 horses cannot be bad. I am putting down a deposit for one.
Cadillac should make something like this. Forget about the supercharger in the STS-V, stick in a bored out version of the Northstar with the help of Lingenfelter's people or Reeves Calloway, say 5.5 liters, and rock!
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Pancarcker 9:25AM (4/28/2006)
I was about to order a new E320 CDI and the dealer did not tell me about the new generation, I stumbled across it whilst doing some price checking. I do not like the pointy fromt end but as was pointed out to me, it will be hidden behind the registration plate.
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Patrick Kizito 11:03AM (5/10/2006)
Please remove that sharpness on the front bumper! I think it would look better without it.Apart fromthe looks,it reminds me of the days before aspects of aerodynamics came into application. The days when cars had square corners!
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Malcolm Douglas 10:35AM (5/15/2006)
I have ordered the new E320cdi
But after viewing the above photographs that pointed front end looks as if it came from a kit car. Did mercedes buy a job lot from Korea or Japan?
Are the specs listed for the USA the same for England?
Should I cancel my order? Mercedes will need to try very hard to convince me.
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Jim 3:59PM (5/20/2006)
I am about to order the E320Bluetec. I don't like the pointy front bumper, but if the car drives like the 06 model, it will be great. I currently drive a 2002 C220CDI, but can't take it back to the States.
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Jim 11:51AM (5/24/2006)
I have a '04 E500 sports. Although I loved the E55 body I knew I would loose my license driving it. The '07 seems like a lot of money for very little change. When will we see a true all new version E instead of minor skin changes toted as "New"? That's the one I want
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