Detroit Auto Show: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Wagon Makes Global Debut

CLICK4VIDEO(8:35) Mercedes E Class Wagon Intro Detroit Auto Show

         DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2003; The 2004 E-Class Wagon makes its world
premiere in January at the Detroit Auto Show.  The new E-Class wagon delivers
the same level of stylish design and brand-exclusive technology found on the
E-Class sedan in a highly practical and even more versatile package.  The
standard specification list for the wagon reads like a list of automotive
technology milestones, including electronic braking, adaptive front airbags,
two-stage belt force limiters, curtain airbags, an a load-adaptive
self-leveling rear suspension.  Optional equipment for the new wagon includes
high-tech systems such as Airmatic DC air suspension, a DVD navigation system,
four-zone climate control and dynamic multi-contour seats which automatically
pump up the outside seat bolster during cornering to help keep the occupant in
place as well as the latest innovation from Mercedes engineers -- the new
Easy-Pack cargo system.

    Practical and Versatile
    The Easy-Pack system is the Mercedes-Benz answer to intelligent load
compartment management.  The system includes a split-folding rear bench seat
that can be folded completely forward in just a few simple steps, creating a
large, flat loading surface in the rear.  The increased cargo capacity of the
new model can be made more accessible with an optional, hydraulically
controlled loading floor that, at the push of a button, moves towards the rear
of the vehicle, making it easier to load and unload heavy objects.
Capitalizing on the idea of intelligent practicality, the new E-Class wagon
offers a generous amount of flexible space that can easily cope with a wide
variety of transport needs, making it the ideal partner for work, travel,
recreation and shopping.

    New Design Is Unmistakably E-Class
    The prior-generation E-Class sparked a design trend with its distinctive
elliptical headlights, and the new car features an even sleeker
interpretation.  The oval headlights are tilted back even more sharply, and
the entire car exudes a fresh, sporty design theme.  The basic body packaging
of the last E-Class was already highly efficient, comfortable and roomy, and
so the new-generation model grows only slightly in some dimensions.  At about
16 feet in length, the E-Class wagon is over an inch longer than the sedan.
The wagon is almost half an inch longer and about an inch wider than its
predecessor.  While track width has remained unchanged, the wider wheelbase of
the new model further increases stability and enhances driving dynamics.

    Four Wheel Drive or Sport Package?  There is no question.
    The E320 and E500 wagons will be offered with the same 4MATIC
all-wheel-drive capability launched on the 2003 S-Class and C-Class line.
Mercedes' 4MATIC is a full-time all-wheel-drive system that uses a
35/65 front/rear torque split and requires no driver intervention.  Advanced
four-wheel electronic traction control is used to vary torque distribution to
individual wheels under slippery conditions.  Even if three wheels lose
traction, 4MATIC can direct power to just one wheel, front or back, left or
right, to keep the car moving.  The system is lightweight (under 200 pounds)
and compact, so passenger and cargo spaces are not affected.
    For the first time ever, a sport version of the wagon will be available in
the US. The optional Sport Package for either model lends a bolder appearance
with sport body styling, 17-inch sport wheels, bi-xenon headlights with
headlamp washers, blue tinted glass, LED brake lights.  Other sport package
equipment varies between the E320 and E500.  The E320, for example, adds the
Airmatic DC suspension as well as the larger 245/45R17 tire size that is
already standard on the E500. Tires in the sport package feature a performance
summer tread for sharper handling response.

    Stronger and Safer Than Ever
    Underneath the sleek, elegant E-Class exterior is an even stronger body
structure than before, providing a solid foundation for occupant safety.
Mercedes employed a number of new construction techniques to achieve greater
strength without adding excess weight.  The body structure of the new E-Class
has larger crumple zones at the front, for even better energy absorption in an
accident.  Although both E-Class models have added more standard safety and
luxury equipment, extensive use of lightweight materials has helped keep these
models within 50-100 pounds of their predecessor models.  The E-Class is the
first Mercedes-Benz model to make extensive use of aluminum, which accounts
for 10 percent of the car by weight.  Aluminum parts include the hood, front
fenders, trunk lid, as well as the front subframe and bumper crossmembers.
The amount of high-strength steel has been nearly doubled, from about
20 percent of vehicle weight to about 37 percent.

    Advanced Restraint Systems
    Adaptive front airbags deploy with lower force in less severe accidents
and with higher force in more serious collisions.  Taking a signal from a
special electronic sensor mat in the front passenger seat, the front passenger
airbag even takes the passenger's weight into account.  In addition, new crash
sensors help determine the severity of the collision and control the seat belt
tensioners and belt force limiters accordingly.  In more severe collisions,
the seat belt tensioners remove belt slack sooner, and the belt force limiters
then loosen the belts progressively, reducing loads on the chest and allowing
front occupants to gain greater benefit from the airbag.  The new E-Class is
equipped with a new type of rollover sensor that can signal the central
control module to deploy the windowbags and belt tensioners if it detects this
type of accident.

    Large-Scale Use of Electronic Braking
An innovative electronic braking system -- another Mercedes safety first -- is
standard equipment in all 2003-model-year E-Class wagons.  The new electronic
braking system provides faster, more sure-footed response, especially in
emergencies.  Although electronic braking made its industry debut on the
Mercedes SL roadsters, equipping all E-Class models with electronic braking
represents the first large-scale use of this revolutionary technology.
    With electronic braking, the brake pedal works with an array of sensors
and a computer that tells four fast-acting valves exactly how hard to apply
the brakes on each wheel. With split-second accuracy, the system can change
brake pressure on each wheel over uneven surfaces and can even increase brake
pressure on the outside wheels when braking in turns.  Even ABS anti-lock and
ESP stability control work more efficiently, since they are more deeply
integrated with the brake system.  An electrically-driven hydraulic pump and a
high-pressure reservoir (or accumulator) provide "always-on" full brake
pressure to each wheel, with the computer-operated modulator valves
controlling how much pressure actually operates the brake at each wheel.

    S-Class Derived Dual-Control Air Suspension
    The new E-Class exhibits cornering that befits a sports sedan along with
superb ride comfort.  The new four-link front suspension is similar to that of
the S-Class, and the patented five-link rear suspension provides unparalleled
wheel motion control.  A new version of the air suspension from the S-Class,
called Airmatic DC (Dual Control) is standard on the E500 model and optional
on the E320 wagon.  Airmatic DC suspension uses sensors that monitor road
conditions, driving style and cornering forces to ensure that the system
always chooses the best air spring and shock absorber settings.  The system
can switch between different suspension modes in a fraction of a second, and
the driver can also select from four pre-set suspension response programs.
    In essence, the Airmatic DC suspension system eliminates the compromise
between handling and ride comfort, because it continually and automatically
optimizes both.  Quicker rack-and-pinion steering, coupled with larger-section
tires, gives both E-Class models sharper handling than before.

    Even Greater Luxury
    The E-Class interior is more luxurious than before, with a new sweeping
dashboard and center console, soft-touch trim surfaces, elegant wood and
chrome trim elements and a full array of power amenities.  The E320 comes
equipped with dual-zone automatic climate control, while the E500 features
standard four-zone climate control (optional on E320) that allows different
temperature settings for the rear outboard passengers as well as the driver
and front passenger.
    Of course, features like a power tilt and telescoping steering wheel,
power windows with one-touch up/down operation and auto-dimming mirrors are
standard equipment. A new, power flip-down panel in the center console houses
switches for many vehicle functions.  At the touch of a button, it opens to
reveal an extra storage space or the newly available six-disc CD changer when
it is ordered.  The optional COMAND (Cockpit Management and Data) system has
been enhanced with a GPS navigation system that now uses its own dedicated DVD
drive for map and data storage. The driver can control radio, CD, cassette and
phone functions with voice commands when the optional cell phone with voice
control is ordered.
    The standard high-performance 10-speaker audio system adds surround sound,
and the optional Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system takes audio performance to
an even higher level with seven-channel surround sound, concert-quality output
and 12 high-end speakers.