There’s not much external evidence of the revisions to the E-class, but Mercedes has been busy under the skin of its million-selling saloon, including launching a 507bhp E63 AMG. Four years into its life, the E gets more powerful engines, which nevertheless return the same mpg, as well as safety upgrades.
The changes in the cabin are confined to two new trim colours – the fetchingly-named Cognac Brown and Sahara Beige – a new steering wheel and new controls for the climate control.
The engines have received rather more attention. The base diesel, the E200 CDI, now puts out 13bhp more, with torque up by 51lb ft to 250lb ft. The E220 CDI has 14 and 18 per cent more power and torque than its predecessor. Mercedes quotes mpg figures of 44 for both engines, which now have balancer shafts on the crankcase for smoother running. The six-cylinder E320 CDI has had less work, but sees its torque increase by 22lbft. 2008 will see the European launch of Merc’s Bluetec technology, which gives a sharp reduction in NOX emissions. It claims the forthcoming E320 CDI Bluetec will be the world’s cleanest diesel engine. Mercedes is keen to emphasise the economical nature of the range’s engines: one in three E-classes bettering 35mpg; average consumption across the range being 31mpg. Not included in that average, however, is the new E63 AMG, which replaces the hardly-underpowered E55. The englarged V8 is supercharged to produce 507bhp and 464lb ft of torque. Edging back towards the mainstream, the E500 now features a new 5.5-litre V8 with 382bhp and 390lb ft of torque; 26 per cent and 15 per cent more than before. The more humble petrol engines all see increases in power and torque.
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