Mercedes gets a facelift

By Alastair Sloane

Mercedes-Benz has given its popular E-Class model a new look, a new price and a new diesel engine.

And it has changed about 1800 components in the mid-range model as it steers it towards the next century.

The price of the E-Class range has dropped by up to 11 per cent. It now costs between $96,000 and $155,000.

The luxury German carmaker has borrowed some components and design aspects of its flagship S-Class.

The front end of the facelifted E-Class has been dropped by about 20mm and the hood, grille and bumper have been revised.

The bumper trim is now more a part of the body, and the front wings have been changed slightly to allow the four headlights to be lowered and more sharply raked.

Inside, the E-Class gets an updated instrument system, including the optional COMAND (cockpit management and data) unit from the S-Class.

The mid-range Merc also gets ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard along with airbags above the side windows, which complement front and side airbags.

A new common-rail 3.2-litre diesel engine brings the number of E-Class powerplants to 10. The engine develops 145kW and a huge 470Nm of pulling power from 1800 rpm through to 2600 rpm. Mercedes-Benz claims the diesel consumes 7.8 litres of fuel for every 100km.