2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

There are considerable changes to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up for 2007. The line has been pared down to the E280 4MATIC sedan, E320 Bluetec diesel sedan, E350 4MATIC in sedan or wagon, E550 4MATIC sedan, and E63 AMG sedan.

The model designation changes are due to new engines: the 3.0-litre Bluetec diesel replaces the 3.2-litre diesel of 2006; the 5.5-litre V8 in the E550 replaces the 5.0-litre in the 2006 E500; and a 6.3-litre in the E63 AMG replaces the 5.5-litre in the 2006 E55 AMG. (The 3.5-litre in the E350 is unchanged from 2006.)

The 2007 E320 marks the first Bluetec application in Canada; combined with the new availability of cleaner, low-sulphur diesel, the engine returns cleaner emissions with low fuel consumption and powerful torque; the E320 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds.

All models receive a facelift for 2007, including revised front-end design, new grille, revised headlamps and taillights, new CLS-style aero mirrors and new steering wheel. There’s a new S-Class style chrome-design SmartKey, new Direct Control suspension and steering system, and the S-Class Adaptive Brake replaces Sensotronic Brake Control. There are four new upholstery colours (black, cashmere, black/Sahara beige, and black/cognac brown), and all models now have Pre-Safe, which includes reversible belt tensioner, power windows with Pre-Safe closing function, passenger seat Pre-Safe positioning program (when car has memory seat), and Pre-Safe closing function on the power sunroof, if equipped. There’s also a new Sport Package that is standard on the E550, and a no-charge option on the E350 sedan.

The E280 is a Canada-only model; it uses the same 3.0-litre V6 engine as the C280, and features include a five-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, heated power leather seats with memory, power sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, heated steering wheel, CD stereo, automatic climate control, heated windshield washer system and burl walnut wood trim. Available options include a premium leather package, active bi-Xenon headlamps, six-CD changer and telephone prep.

Features on the E320 include seven-speed automatic transmission, 16-inch twin-spoke alloy wheels, ten-way power heated seats, CD stereo, power tilt and telescopic steering column, heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers with heated washers, garage door opener, sunroof, heated steering wheel and revised climate control. It can be optioned with a new-for-2007 $2,400 Premium Package of navigation system, rear window sunshade, split folding rear seats and trunk pass-through with ski sack.

The E350 4MATIC sedan includes five-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch seven-spoke alloy wheels, active bi-Xenon headlamps with washers, Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system with six-CD changer, heated steering wheel, revised climate control, rain-sensing wipers with heated washers, garage door opener, power tilt and telescopic steering column and sunroof. A new-for-2007 $4,000 Premium Package adds Parktronic parking assist, split folding rear seats, trunk pass-through with ski sack, navigation system, rear window sunshade and heated rear seats, while the new no-charge Sport Package adds 18-inch ten-spoke sport wheels with all-season tires, upgraded brake calipers, body kit, dual exhaust, sport suspension, black bird’s eye maple wood trim, leather and aluminum shifter and studded aluminum pedals.

The E350 4MATIC wagon has the same features as the sedan, but adds a power tailgate. A new-for-2007 $2,800 Premium Package includes a pass-through with ski sack, door-integrated roller blinds for the rear side windows, navigation system, Easy-Pack load securing kit and heated rear seats.

The E550 4MATIC sedan includes five-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, active bi-Xenon headlamps with washers, Harmon/Kardon Logic7 surround sound system with six-CD changer, ten-way power seats, heated steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic column, automatic climate control, air suspension, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, and as standard equipment, the Sport Package that can be added to the E350 sedan. A new-for-2007 option is the $4,000 Premium Package, which adds Parktronic parking assist, split folding rear seats, trunk pass-through with ski sack, navigation system, rear window sunshade and heated rear seats.

The E63 AMG sedan features an all-new AMG-built naturally-aspirated 6.3-litre V8, and includes AMG Speedshift seven-speed automatic transmission with shift paddles, 18-inch polished AMG wheels with performance tires, navigation system, Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround system with six-CD changer, active bi-Xenon headlamps with washers, ten-way power heated seats, cellular telephone preparation, garage door opener, power tilt and telescopic steering column, air suspension, power sunroof and rain-sensing wipers with heated washers. A new-for-2007 $3,800 Premium Package adds Parktronic parking assist, door-integrated roller blinds for the rear side windows, heated rear seats, electronic trunk closure and Keyless Go.

Long considered the “typical” Mercedes, the E-Class sheds most of its two-wheel drive models in favour of 4MATIC all-wheel drive, which uses a full-time torque split of 40/60 front to rear. The powerful new Bluetec diesel E320 provides excellent fuel economy and a long range, but with fewer emissions than previous models, while the E63 AMG has a 38 hp increase over the model it replaces. The E-Class has traditionally accounted for one-quarter of the company’s overall sales; expect these new models to do just as well.