Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
What's New for 2012
There are a number of significant changes created to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class for 2012. New, additional powerful and additional economical engines debut in every model, while the E350 Bluetec turbodiesel carries over from last year. The E550 sedan now comes standard with 4Matic all-wheel drive, whereas the E63 gets commonplace stop/start technology for added fuel savings. All E550 and 4Matic-equipped models get electromechanical steering versus the hydraulic setup used last year. Finally, the E63 wagon returns to the lineup.
Introduction
Few cars provide the variety of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Category. There are four totally different body styles, four totally different engines, two sub trim levels and a large number of options. Throw in the similar CLS sedan with its coupe-style roof and the family grows even any. However throughout this family, there isn't a dangerous apple in the bunch. Quite the other, extremely, as each E-Class iteration managed to earn the title Edmunds Recommended in our annual buyer's guide. Be it sedan, coupe, convertible or wagon, the E-Category is one among the finest cars traveling.
For 2012, they all get even better. With the exception of the carryover E350 Bluetec and its V6 turbodiesel, each E-Class has received a brand new engine that's additional powerful and a lot of economical. The gasoline-powered E350 currently features an instantaneous-injection 3.5-liter V6 that bumps output up to 302 horsepower from its previous 268. The E550's V8 gets a a lot of radical modification, switching to a turbocharged, smaller-displacement mill that cranks out 402 hp and 443 pound-feet of torque. This V8 has also been paired with normal all-wheel drive this year in the sedan package, however if tire-blazing action is your thing, the E550 coupe and convertible still send their power rearward.
And let's not forget the most-performance E63 AMG. This year it gets a brand new engine: a twin-turbo 5.five-liter V8 good for 518 hp (the same as last year) and 516 lb-ft of torque (a ton additional than last year). The E63 AMG Wagon additionally re-emerges for 2012, satisfying the little but wonderfully nutty subset of drivers who demand sports car performance and grocery-obtaining utility in one high-class package.
Overall, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class remains a high choice against a plethora of competitors, together with those from Audi (A5, A6, S5), BMW (3 Series coupe and convertible, 5 Series, M5), Infiniti (M37 and M56), Jaguar (XF) and Porsche (Panamera). It's onerous to argue against any of those, however the E-Category provides the unmistakable Mercedes virtues of meticulous engineering and a driving character that strikes a wonderful balance between responsive performance and handling. If your solely selection is figuring out which of the various E-Class variants to urge, we have a tendency to wouldn't blame you.
Body Designs, Trim Levels, and Choices
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is offered in five-passenger sedan, four-passenger coupe, four-passenger convertible (Cabriolet) and 7-passenger wagon body designs. Every is any broken into different trims that correspond with its engine. The sedan is available in E350, E350 Bluetec, E550 4Matic and E63 AMG variants. The coupe and cabriolet are E350 and E550, the E-Class wagon is E350 4Matic and E63 AMG. 4Matic refers back to the all-wheel-drive system.
The E350 and E350 Bluetec sedans are similarly equipped with seventeen-inch wheels, automatic headlights, LED running lights, a sunroof, automatic wipers, cruise control, twin-zone automatic climate management, ten-approach power front seats with four-manner lumbar adjustment and memory functions, MB Tex premium vinyl upholstery, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, interior accent lighting, auto-dimming inside and driver-aspect mirrors, the COMAND electronics interface, Bluetooth and an eight-speaker sound system with a six-CD/DVD changer and an auxiliary audio jack. The E350 sedan is further counteracted into the Luxury and Sport sub-trims, which vary in suspension tuning, styling, interior trim and wheel design.
The E350 wagon gets commonplace all-wheel drive, an influence liftgate, a rearview camera and a rear-facing third-row seat. The E350 coupe gets sport seats, leather upholstery, a sixty/forty split-folding backseat and a console-mounted transmission lever with paddle shifters. The E350 Cabriolet gets an influence-operated roof, a rear center pass-through, and therefore the AirCap pop-up air deflector.
Every E550 adds bigger brakes, eighteen-in. wheels and leather upholstery (optional on E350). The E550 4Matic sedan comes with customary all-wheel drive and also the Sport sub-trim items. The E550 coupe gets a sport-tuned suspension and a sport body kit.
The Premium one package adds a navigation system, a rearview camera, heated seats (E550 adds ventilation), a power rear window shade (sedan and coupe), satellite radio, a premium sound system and an iPod interface. The Cabriolet version of this package includes the AirScarf neck-heating system. The Premium 2 package includes the above things plus adaptive bi-xenon headlights with washers and automatic high beams, a power trunk lid and keyless ignition/entry. The Lane Tracking package adds a blind-spot warning system and a lane departure warning/keeping system. The driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise management and a lot of advanced versions of the Lane Tracking items.
Stand-alone options on the sedan and wagon embrace front and back parking sensors, split-folding rear seats, heated and ventilated front seats (E350), a panoramic sunroof, enhanced front seats with adjustable bolsters, a heated steering wheel, an infrared night vision warning system and a rear seat entertainment system. The coupe and Cabriolet can additionally be had with heated front seats and also the parking sensors.
The Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG includes most of the E550's equipment plus a bigger V8, various AMG-built and tuned components (transmission, suspension, steering, brakes, exhaust), headlight washers, a sport steering wheel, sport seats with adjustable bolsters, special styling elements within and out, and the premium sound system with satellite radio and iPod interface. The sedan gets a standard power rear sunshade and a split-folding rear seat, while the wagon gets a standard panoramic roof. Options embody the Premium 1 and a couple of packages, also because the Lane Tracking and Driver Assistance packages. Several of the same stand-alone things also are available along with a restricted-slip differential, 19-inch cast alloy wheels and carbon fiber trim. Finally, the AMG Performance package adds additional power, additional aggressive suspension tuning (sedan solely), a sportier steering wheel, a higher top speed, red brake calipers and a carbon-fiber engine cover.
Powertrains and Performance
The Mercedes-Benz E350 models come back with a three.five-liter V6 that produces 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. A seven-speed automatic transmission is customary on every E-Category. Rear-wheel drive is customary on all however the wagon. All-wheel drive (4Matic) is standard on the wagon and optional on the sedan. According to Mercedes, a rear-drive E350 sedan can go from zero to 60 mph in vi.five seconds. The wagon and 4Matic should be a small amount slower, the Cabriolet should be a touch quicker and the coupe quicker still. Mercedes estimates that the E350 sedan can achieve 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, whereas the others should get 1 or 2 mpg lower in every driving cycle.
The E350 Bluetec options a three.0-liter turbodiesel V6 with clean-burning "Bluetec" technology, a liquid treatment that reduces emissions particulates. It produces a rather modest 210 hp, however a terribly robust four hundred lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard. In Edmunds testing, an E350 Bluetec went from zero to sixty mph in 7.seven seconds. This is rather slow for the category, however then a scant few cars in the category can return close to its fuel economy estimates of 22 mpg town/thirty three mpg highway and 26 mpg combined.
The E550 models get a twin-turbo four.seven-liter V8 that produces 402 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. Rear-wheel drive is standard on the coupe and Cabriolet, while the sedan gets 4Matic all-wheel drive customary. Mercedes estimates the sedan will hit 60 in a very fast 5.two seconds, whereas the coupe and Cabriolet should hit five flat or dip into the 4s. Mercedes-estimated fuel economy stands at sixteen mpg city/twenty four mpg highway no matter model.
The E63 AMG gets a twin-turbo 5.five-liter V8 that cranks out 518 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. With the AMG Performance package, this gets bumped up to 550 and 590, respectively. Standard is rear-wheel drive and therefore the AMG seven-speed automated manual transmission. Mercedes expects it to hit 60 mph in about four.a pair of seconds. Fuel economy may be a Mercedes-estimated 15 mpg town/twenty two mpg highway for the sedan and 14/twenty one for the wagon.
Safety
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Category comes customary with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front facet airbags, front pelvic airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Conjointly normal are the Mercedes-Benz mbrace emergency telematics service, Attention Assist (a driver drowsiness and inattention warning system) and PreSafe (it anticipates an imminent crash and automatically takes measures to better secure occupants). The Cabriolet features automatic rollover hoops.
The Lane Tracking package adds a blind-spot warning system and a lane departure warning/keeping system. The driver Assistance package adds adaptive cruise control and additional advanced versions of the Lane Tracking items which will take evasive action ought to the driver fail to try to to thus. Rear aspect airbags are a stand-alone possibility.
Interior Design and Special Options
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class features a cabin done in a vogue that is meant to recall solid, dependable Mercedes from the past. Angles are sharp, the materials initial-rate and the design is decidedly austere, especially when adorned in monotone color schemes and dark wood trim -- very German, in different words. The general style is the same no matter body style, aside from the obtainable three-spoke sport steering wheel and electrical gear selector (column-mounted in the sedan and wagon; console-mounted in the coupe, convertible and AMG).
All E-Class models come with the Mercedes COMAND electronics interface, which combines a large show screen, a control knob and dash-mounted buttons. There's a bit of a learning curve concerned, but it's generally neither better nor worse than similar systems from Audi or BMW.
Every E-Category model is relatively comfy and spacious for their respective segments. The seats are firm, but provide spectacular comfort and support over the long haul. The two-door and AMG models feature sport seats that provide a nearer fit to help keep you in place through turns. The sedan's backseat is kind of spacious, matching the BMW five Series as the most welcoming rear quarters within the midsize luxury class. With the wagon, you get a generous 57 cubic feet of maximum cargo capability and a rear-facing third-row seat.
The convertible offers snug seating for four, provided rear passengers are regarding 5-feet-9 or less, and its cabin is one among the most serene of any convertible thanks to its AirCap system that limits airflow to a trickle even at high speeds. In the coupe, the rear seat's legroom is about the same as in most luxury two-doors, however headroom is limited.
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
Mercedes Benz 2012 E Class
