2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe ready for face-off

Zach Bowman — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:14:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Design/Style, Luxury

Photographers have managed to snap a handful of photos of the facelifted 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe out and about on public streets. From the looks of things, designers have graced the two-door with a new front fascia, complete with light elements likely borrowed from the E-Class wagon and sedan. Those include integrated LED-daytime running lights first time, whereas the old DRL array was left stuck in the fascia itself. Meanwhile, the grille appears to have turned slightly more more vertical than the last iteration. Otherwise, expect to see plenty of familiar sheetmetal along the machine's flanks.

Around back, the E-Class Coupe will most likely pack a resculpted valance, complete with revamped LED light clusters. Revisions are expected to stay fairly tame inside, with little more than an updated steering wheel and modestly modified dash. No word yet on whether a new engine or major updates will happen to the powertrain options. At present, buyers have either the 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6-powered E350 Coupe or a 402-hp, 4.6-liter V8-engined E550 Coupe to choose from.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe ready for face-off originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHTSA ends 27-month investigation into Ford E-Series vans

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Safety, Work, Ford

More than two years ago, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began investigating the 1997-2008 Ford Econoline/E-350 and E-450 over faulty HVAC temperature controls. According to The Detroit News, stories of melting switches leading to smoke and hot buttons on the dash were recounted in 1,036 complaints received by NHTSA. Two years ago, the government agency upgraded the case to an engineering analysis, but its testing has led to the case being closed without determining that a recall is required.

Two fires due to the short circuits were also reported, but NHTSA found that the layout of the switch tended to prevent a fire when it went bad. Although there won't be a recall, Ford has redesigned the switch and is informing dealers and customers about replacing the switch and electrical connector.

The vans that were under the agency's microscope overlap with the 1999-2008 E-Series models in question in a lawsuit over flaking fuel-tank liners. Still, for perspective, the E-Series has been America's best-selling full-sized van for decades, and according to Ford, those from 1997-2008 have done more than a billion miles.

NHTSA ends 27-month investigation into Ford E-Series vans originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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