Mercedes-Benz E-Class W212: Четвертое поколение

Fourth generation of Mercedes Benz E Class

The W212 and S212 Mercedes Benz E Class series is the fourth generation of the E Class range of executive cars which was produced by Mercedes Benz between 2009 and 2016 as the successor to the W211 E Class. The body styles of the range are either 4 door sedan/saloon (W212) or a 5 door estate/wagon (S212). Coupé and convertible models of the E Class of the same generation are W204 C Class based and known as the C207 and A207, replacing the CLK Class (C209 and A209) coupé and cabriolet. A high performance E 63 AMG version of the W212 and S212 were available as well since 2009. In 2013, a facelift was introduced for the E Class range, featuring significant styling changes, fuel economy improvements and updated safety features. After being unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show to invited members of the press and put on public display at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, it was introduced in March 2009 for Europe and in July 2009 for North America in the saloon body style. In 2010, an estate body style became available to all markets, though the estate body style was available in Europe since August 2009. Global cumulative E Class sales reached the milestone 550,000 vehicle mark in July 2011. Production achieved the milestone 500,000 saloon unit mark in March 2012. The W212 E Class was succeeded by the W213 E Class in 2016 for the 2017 model year.

Design work began in 2004 after the development programme commenced in 2003, with the exterior design by Winifredo Camacho and interior design by Thomas Stopka being selected in 2005. After refinements and engineering considerations were made, the final design specifications were frozen in 2006. Certain elements of the exterior styling are taken from the preceding W204 C Class and W221 S Class each designed in 2002 and 2003. The bulging rear wheel arches are meant to be reminiscent of the fender flares of historic "Ponton" Mercedes models of the 1950s. The design of the W212 and C207 E Class was previewed by the ConceptFASCINATION design study in September 2008.

The W212 E Class saloon was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. The saloon went on sale in Europe in March 2009 as a 2010 model year automobile. The W212 E Class has 3 trim levels of equipment and equipment levels: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde. The E Class features several new safety technologies including driver drowsiness detection, lane departure warning, and traffic sign recognition. It also includes features that improve performance, efficiency, and comfort, such as "Direct Control" adaptive suspension, active seats (which change shape to support the passengers in corners), and movable radiator louvers which improve the vehicle's aerodynamics. Standard Mercedes Benz safety and convenience features, such as the Electronic Stability Program (ESP), airbags, and automatic climate control, are included as well.

The estate version (chassis code S212) was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and was released for sale in Europe on 5 August. Early models include the four cylinder powered E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, the V6 powered E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, and the V8 powered E 500. US models began sales in June 2010 for the 2011 model year.

The coupé (C207) was first shown at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, while the convertible (A207) was unveiled at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Both models replaced the previous C209/A209 CLK Class models. The C207/A207 E Class is based on the W204 C Class platform, and are produced alongside each other in the Bremen plant.

The 2010 E Class was the first E Class to earn IIHS's reputable Top Safety Pick award. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety score the E Class Good overall in the moderate overlap front crash test, but did not pass the small front overlap. It also received Good overall in side impact collisions, the roof strength and seat/head restraint evaluations. The redesigned 2014 E Class received IIHS's Top Safety Pick+ award, which also passed the small front overlap crash test. Apart from the aforementioned test, the W212 facelift also scored the Good mark in the moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and seat/head restraint evaluations.

U. S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing of the 2014 US model year E Class yielded a four star driver and four star passenger rating in the frontal collision test (out of five stars). Side crash results were five out of five stars for both front and rear seats. The car scored five stars in rollover testing.

The E Class image suffered a downturn in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Things improved with the facelifted W211 but the introduction of the W212 series re established the E Class's original reputation for solid build quality and refined elegance. Although the mid cycle refresh was overwhelmingly praised, the design received mixed opinions as Mercedes decided to take a more streamlined direction with the redesign; replacing the twin headlamp design with a single lens design, which brought the E Class design up to date with the ongoing F800 Style design language found on cars like the A Class, B Class, C Class, S Class, CLS Class and M Class.

The E 63 AMG saloon was unveiled at the 2009 New York International Auto Show. The new performance version of the E Class is fitted with the same powertrain as the SL63 AMG, including AMG's 6.2 liter V8 and the SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7 speed sports automatic transmission with four driver selectable modes including a fully manual mode. Similar to the C63 AMG, the new E 63 is more extensively modified than before, with a new, wider front axle, heavily revised suspension, and more distinct body panels. The optional AMG Performance Pack includes lightweight, forged 19 inch AMG light alloy wheels with 255/35R19 front and 285/30R19 rear tires, stiffer suspension, a limited slip differential, a special three spoke sport steering wheel, and a reprogramming of the electronic top speed limiter to from The 6.2 L V8 has and will accelerate from 0 to in approximately 4.5 seconds. In 2011, the 6.2 litre V8 was replaced by a twin turbo version of the 5.5 litre V8 available in the E 500/E 550; power remained the same as for the earlier, naturally aspirated 6.2 litre engine. There was also a Performance Pack version. In October 2013, the AMG S model of the E 63 was introduced; this version has and replaces the earlier Performance Pack model. In the United States, the E 63 station wagon is only available as an AMG S, and all E 63s sold in North America now receive the 4Matic system as standard. Meanwhile, power of the "regular" E 63 AMG increased to the same level as the previous Performance Pack model. With a engine, the E 63 can achieve a top speed of around (electronic limiter off), and can accelerate from 0 to in 4.4 seconds. The styling has been altered for both aesthetic and practical purposes: AMG side skirts and rear apron give the E 63 more aggressive styling, and the larger air apertures on the front of the car allow for more air intake to the naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8. Another styling change on the E 63 is the wider, flared front wheel arches which accommodate the AMG front axle with a track. For 2012, Mercedes Benz started offering a bi turbo V8 version. It is the M157, 5.5L twin turbo V8, that is rated at , which is mated to a 7 speed AMG Speedshift MCT transmission. In 2013, the facelifted E 63 AMG was launched almost immediately after the facelifted standard E Class. It has a more sporty, singular front air intakes, sideskirts, rear diffuser and black detailings in the side mirrors, front grille, wheels, and rear apron. Also for the first time it can also be had in 4Matic four wheel drive system. It has the same M157 engine, with increased power of up to 550 bhp to last generation's 525 bhp. Mercedes still offered an optional AMG "S" Performance Package, which adds 27 bhp in power for a total of at 5500 rpm and at 1750 5000 rpm and delimits the car's top speed to With the optional AMG "S" Performance Package, the car can do 0– in 3.5 seconds; vehicles without the package takes an additional 0.1 seconds.

The E Guard armoured version, which features VR4 (formerly B4) level protection, went on sale in April 2009. The vehicles are equipped with steel and aramid fiber (Kevlar) armour and bullet resistant windows, as well as run flat tyres rated for a top speed of ( at when deflated), a special Level II version of the Airmatic air suspension system, emergency alarm system, intercom system, and underbody armour. As of 2011 it has an MSRP (in the Mexican market) of $1,954,900MXN Mexican Pesos, or approximately US$143,000 US Dollars.

The E 250 BlueTEC is a concept vehicle based on the E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY saloon, but with BlueTEC selective catalytic reduction and the 7G Tronic Plus transmission. The vehicle was unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The E 250 BlueTEC is capable of 28 MPG city/39 MPG highway.

A version commemorating Karl Benz inventing the first automobile powered by an internal combustion engine 125 years prior, for Hong Kong and Mexican markets. It is available for E 250, E 300 and E 350 models.

Erebus Motorsport competed in the Australian V8 Supercars Championship with E 63 AMGs between 2013 and 2015. These race cars had very little in common with the road going versions with only the exterior being shared with the race cars.