In the way it is styled and constructed, the latest E-class is a blend of both the old and new. While the crisp, angular lines follow the design language Mercedes introduced with the new C-class, there is plenty in the shape that references Mercedes’ long heritage in executive saloons.
The profile, now more overtly like that of a three-box saloon, draws parallels with the iconic W124 series, while the definition line over each rear wing is inspired by the 1953 Mercedes ‘Ponton’ saloon. Similarly, the engineering is a mix of established and new technology.
The body is a blend of steel, aluminium (bonnet, front wings and boot lid) and a composite of glassfibre and plastic (front valance and spare wheel well).
From launch there are five engines, including the familiar 3.5-litre V6 and 5.5-litre V8 petrols, plus a new 350 CDI – essentially a more powerful version of the 320 CDI V6 diesel. The big news, though, is the arrival of a twin-turbo, four-cylinder diesel available in two states of tune: the E220 CDI, producing 168bhp, and the 201bhp E250 CDI tested here.
In September a single-turbo version of the same engine will join the range as the E200 CDI, while the petrol choice will be bolstered by the E200 CGI and E250 CGI (both turbo 1.8s) and the range-topping E63 AMG.
Despite the squared-off styling, Mercedes has achieved a highly credible drag coefficient of just 0.26. To accomplish this, it developed electrically controllable shutters ahead of the radiator fan, which close when the engine is only partially loaded to reduce drag.
