2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class from $80K

The face-lifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class has arrived in Australia and the German importer says interest in the updated model is strong despite engine downsizing.

The new range gets new look front and rear end designs, new technology and engines, beginning with the entry-level four-cylinder turbo-petrol E 200 sedan priced at $79,900.

Mercedes-Benz Australia Managing Director Horst von Sanden says updated E-Class is a "more aggressive car" despite the axing of the E 500 model, the only V8 in the range.

The eight-cylinder variant has been replaced by a smaller twin-turbo V6 engine, the E 400, which arrives in September. However the Benz boss defends the engine downsizing, saying interest in the new $128,900 E 400 model is already strong.

"In the end it's all about bums on seats, you need to experience the performance of that (E 400) vehicle to understand that you're not giving anything up," said von Sanden.

"It's not a V8, its' a V6 ... but so far we've already had a huge demand in our dealerships for the E 400 and more complaints that this one is delayed compared to the others," he explained.

The most affordable V8 in the E-Class range now wears an AMG badge, the quarter-of-a-million dollar E 63 AMG.

Entry-level E 200 sedan pricing starts at $79,900, powered by a new direct-injection turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivers 135kW and 300Nm of torque (30Nm more than the 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four it replaces). Matched with a seven-speed automatic transmission and idle-stop system as standard, it consumes 6.4L/100km.

The new E-Class delivers what customers want, says the Benz Boss. "They want more power, more technology, and that's all built in to this new car".

As such, new standard equipment for the entry-level E 200 sedan include Active Park Assist, auto-dimming and folding mirrors, AVANTGARDE styling, Blind Spot and Collision Prevention Assist, partial LED headlights and a Sports Package with 18-inch alloy wheels, providing a claimed $7000 of extra value. Other standard features include ARTICO imitation leather trim and COMAND APS with reversing camera.

While the sub-$80,000 admission price continues to make the E-Class competitive against its key rivals in the BMW 5 Series and Audi A6, there are price movements across the rest of the range including the top-shelf E 63 AMG, which increases by almost $10,000 to $249,900.

However, as Mercedes is quick to point out, all models come with an array of extra standard equipment that make them better value than before – including the E 200, E 250, E 220 CDI and E 250 CDI due on sale in June, and the E 300 hybrid in July, then the E 400 and E 63 to follow in September.

The most affordable E-Class diesel, the $82,400 E 220 CDI sedan is $2400 cheaper than before and claimed to offer $10,000 of extra value.

Styled and specified identically to the E 200, the E 220 is powered by an unchanged 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel that returns 4.9L/100km with a standard seven-speed auto and idle-top. Benz says the facelifted E 250 sedan, with a claimed $15,000 of added value at $96,400, will “revolutionise the sub-$100,000 luxury car segment with unparalleled value and incredible technology that the competition cannot offer”.

New standard features Active Park Assist, an ARTICO dashboard, auto-dimming and folding mirrors, full LED headlights, Keyless-GO package, memory front seats, Sports Package with 19-inch alloy wheels and Driver Assistance Package PLUS including DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, PRE-SAFE Brake with active pedestrian protection, PRE-SAFE PLUS and BAS PLUS with Junction Assist.

The E 250’s new 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four produces 5kW/40Nm more than the 1.8T it replaces and, fitted with a seven-speed auto and idle-stop, consumes the same 6.4L/100km as the E 200. Both engines require 95 RON premium unleaded.

The E 250 CDI sedan is fitted with the same equipment as the E 250 petrol but drops slightly in price to $98,900, spelling a claimed $18,000 in added value. Power is via Merc’s 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre turbo-diesel and a seven-speed auto with idle-stop, returning 4.9L/100km.

Slotting in just $10,000 higher at $108,900 is the new E-class tech leader, the similarly specified E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID, which combines the same engine with a 20kW/250Nm electric motor to reduce fuel consumption to a class-leading 4.3L/100km.

Replacing the E 350 V6 and E 500 V8 is the facelifted E 400, powered by a 245kW/480Nm twin-turbo 3.0-litre petrol V6 that returns 7.6L/100km with a seven-speed auto and idle-stop, and propels the E-Class sedan to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

Priced at $128,900 the E400 is claimed to make customers $20,000 better off thanks to new standard features like a 360-degree camera, ARTICO dash, DAB+ tuner, Driver Assistance Package PLUS, full LED headlights, Keyless-GO Package with Hands-Free Access, Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system, Sports Package with 19-inch alloys, a sunroof and Surround View.

Now fitted as standard with a 430kW/800Nm twin-turbo 5.5-litre V8, the E 63 AMG S sedan offers 20kW more and a host of extra features over the superseded E 63 AMG Performance Package), including a 360-degree camera, AMG illuminated door sills, AMG locking differential, Active Park Assist, DAB+ tuner, Driver Assistance Package PLUS and full LED headlights.

Priced at $249,900 -- $9415 higher than outgoing E 63 but $8485 lower than the previous E 63 Performance Package – the upgraded E 63 sedan continues to be available here only in rear-wheel drive form with a seven-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT auto.

It runs on 98 RON PULP but no local fuel consumption figures have been announced.

Facelifted E-Class Estate models come with the same specifications as their equivalent sedan models (although the new E 400 Estate effectively replaces the discontinued E 63 AMG Estate), while upgraded E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet models are only now being launched in Europe.

New to the E-wagon range is the E 200 Estate, which is priced at $86,900 and comes with wagon-specific additions like adaptive damping and self-levelling rear suspension, an electric rear tailgate with programmable opening angle, roof rails, an automatic rear wiper, rear-door sunblinds, the EASY-PACK rear seat folding system with cargo retaining net and cover, and a folding rear bench seat making it a seven-seater.

The upgraded E 250 CDI Estate ($106,700 for a claimed $23,000 of extra value) and new E 400 Estate ($136,700) come with the same level of standard equipment as the corresponding saloon models, but 18-inch AMG alloys instead of 19s.

E-Class sales were down more than a quarter last year in Australia, where the arch-rival 5 Series remained narrowly ahead in the large luxury car sales race, but Horst von Sanden said this facelift will maintain the model’s relevance in a declining local large-car market.

“There has been a lot of discussion and opinion that the large car segment is less relevant to the Australian new car purchaser,” he said.

“We don’t accept this assertion and with the new E-Class we have specified the new range assertively with luxury, convenience and safety equipment that we believe will ensure that the large prestige car segment buyer has never been delivered better value.

“There has never been an E-Class range as comprehensively equipped with safety and convenience inclusions, environmentally friendly engines and class leading fuel economy and emissions in the history of the E-Class.”

2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class pricing (plus ORCs):

E 200 sedan -- $79,900
E 220 CDI sedan -- $82,400
E 250 sedan -- $96,400
E 250 CDI sedan -- $98,900
E 300 BTH sedan -- $108,900
E 400 sedan -- $128,900
E 63 AMG S sedan -- $249,900
E 200 Estate -- $86,900
E 250 CDI Estate -- $106,700
E 400 Estate -- $136,700