E-Class wagon unveiled in Frankfurt

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class wagon was formerly introduced at the Frankfurt motor show earlier last week.

Welcoming the arrival of the new load-lugger during the Benz presentation at the motor show was Dr Klaus Maier, Executive VP of Sales and Marketing for Mercedes-Benz cars.

"Since 1977, our station wagon has been the most elegant way to drive an estate car," he told the assembled journalists as the wagon was driven forward onto the central dais.

"E-Class Station Wagon drivers can look forward to the largest load space in the segement -- and to even more clever solutions when it comes to functionality. This car also proves that space gets bigger when you fill it with good ideas."

As reported previously by the Carsales Network, the E Estate will be available in E 63 form. Other variants of the E-Class wagon range share drivetrain components with their sedan counterparts.

"At market launch, we are offering five powerful and efficient engines -- three diesels and two gasoline engines, including the V6 with gasoline direct injection in the E350 BlueEFFICIENCY," said Dr. Maier.

A 2.1-litre turbodiesel E 220 CDI 'BlueEFFICIENCY' model developing 125kW and achieving 5.8L/100km fuel consumption will feature a six-speed manual transmission when it goes on sale in Europe during November.

Other models in the range will include the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, with a 150kW version of the 2.1-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder. This model achieves the same fuel consumption as the E 220 CDI, but will cost an extra 3000 Euros, give or take.

Then there's the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, with a turbodiesel V6 displacing 3.0 litres, producing 170kW of power and achieving fuel consumption as low as 7.0L/100km. This engine drives through a seven-speed automatic transmission.

On the petrol side of the ledger, there's an E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY V6 variant with direct injection fuel delivery technology already mentioned. This 3.5-litre engine develops 215kW and can use as little as 8.6L/100km.

The Mercedes range (excluding the E 63 AMG model) is topped by the E 500, with its 5.5-litre V8 developing 285kW of power and using as little as 11.1L/100km of fuel. A seven-speed automatic transmission is standard for this variant too.

These variants are all released in Europe from November, with additional variants scheduled for the first quarter of next year. These are an entry-level E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 350 CDI 4MATIC, an E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, an E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and an E 350 4MATIC. The 4MATIC models are all-wheel drives and CGI signifies direct petrol injection.

Based on the W212 E-Class sedan platform, the wagon features self-levelling air suspension at the rear and incorporates the sedan's active and passive safety features in its unique packaging. Benz claims that the rear dampers and anti-roll bars have been uprated for cornering competence on the same level as the sedan's. The manufacturer also claims that the new drivetrains offer significant fuel economy gains.

Exclusive to the wagon are the two-piece LED tail lights, the 'EASY-PACK' tailgate, 'Quickfold' rear-seat backrests and a folding luggage compartment floor that liberates additional capacity under the floor.

Contrary to information originally received from AMG, the E 63 wagon goes on sale globally in February next year, not March.

Other exhibits on the Mercedes-Benz stand at Frankfurt include the SLS AMG and the BlueZero concept cars (the F-Cell hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the E-Cell battery/electric vehicle and the E-Cell Plus plug-in hybrid).

Benz also trotted out the S 500 Hybrid, which is a concept car based on the S-Class and featuring a plug-in hybrid set-up that the manufacturer claims makes it the first "premium class" car to use as little as three litres of fuel in combined-cycle testing.

Electric-only range for this vehicle is claimed by Benz to be 30km. The petrol engine is a direct-injection V6 and the 44kW electric motor draws its charge from lithium-ion batteries. According to the manufacturer, the concept car achieves a fuel consumption figure of 3.2L/100km and emits 74g/km of CO2, but can still charge up to 100km/h from a standing start in 5.5 seconds.

Benz anticipates that this concept will reach production with the next generation of S-Class.

"Although it will take some time before this model can go into series production, our engineers will be working full steam to carry out the necessary integration measures and ensure that all components can meet the tough everyday demands required of a luxury long-distance saloon," said Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management for Daimler AG, with responsibility for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development.

Check out the Carsales Network’s Frankfurt show overview and brand-by-brand summaries.

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