2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class refreshed down to its sheetmetal

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:15:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz, Diesel, Luxury

The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is here, and it's had a lot more work done than just a little plastic surgery. Four years into the current model's lifecycle, the changes begin with the unusual step of a serious sheetmetal rearrangement: gone are the four headlights we've seen on the segment leader for 17 years, and gone are the light-relief pontoons over the rear wheels. In front, the one-piece headlights contain LED signatures that 'break' them into two segments, but the main lighting functions have been consolidated into a single lens. Full LED headlights will be available for the first time.

Around the lights, the new E-Class will come with a choice of two grille treatments: the luxury version is a showcase in chrome, with a three-bar center section topped by a Mercedes three-pointed star ornament on the hood; the sport version (pictured) is muted, with a two-bar center section supporting a large Mercedes emblem. Beneath either one of them, the lower fascia takes on a more aggressive shape with larger twin scoops outboard.

Down the body, the pontoon detail has been replaced by a stronger and lower trim line that runs to just beyond the rear wheels, and beneath that is another character line that describes wheel arches. Two-tone LED taillamps laid horizontally emphasize the sedan's width. Inside, the dash is separated into two zones with a horizontal element in one of three finishes, and features a new dash cluster and head unit design.

Among the eleven new and enhanced safety systems are some that borrow from the coming S-Class, the Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera now able to build a three-dimensional view of what's ahead at a distance of up to 1,650 feet. The systems it serves can detect the speed and position of vehicles in front and those crossing, and can detect pedestrians.

Underhood, buyers can opt for a four-cylinder diesel with 190 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque in the E320 BlueTec, and pair it with 4Matic all-wheel drive for the first time. The E400 Hybrid also joins the ranks next year, bringing 24 city and 30 highway mpg with it. The V6 E3560 and V8 E550 will continue, and all come with stop/start and are are yoked to a seven-speed automatic.

We'll see them in person at the Detroit Auto Show, and that's where we'll get more information on the E63 AMG that will arrive in the Fall. There's a press release below chock full of details, and a high-res gallery above if you want your dessert first.

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2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class refreshed down to its sheetmetal originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Dec 2012 08:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid priced from $55,800*

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz has added the E400 Hybrid to the E-Class range for the 2013 model year, and we've now learned that the gasoline-electric sedan will be priced from $55,800, (*)not including $905 for destination. The E400 Hybrid originally debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show earlier this year.

The E400 Hybrid comes packed with a 3.0-liter V6 direct-injection engine good for 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, supplemented by an electric motor (rated at 27 hp and 207 lb-ft). Official fuel economy ratings haven't been released for the E400 Hybrid just yet, but preliminary data (and the big ol' number on the side of the car) suggests 24 miles per gallon in the city, 32 mpg highway and 27 mpg combined.

Hybrids not your thing? Never fear - Mercedes-Benz will also sell you the less-expensive E350 Bluetec ($52,200, not including destination) that packs a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 good for 210 hp and 410 lb-ft. The 2013 E350 Bluetec hasn't officially been certified by the EPA just yet, but the 2012 model was rated at 21 mpg city and 32 mpg highway (25 combined), and we don't expect those numbers to change.

2013 Mercedes-Benz E400 Hybrid priced from $55,800* originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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