sacguy

Codename W212 in the works...SBC Brakes..BYE BYE!!!!
All-new E-Class Is An A6-shooter

o rival the model which claimed the prestigious Auto 1 Car of the Year award at the Geneva Motor Show in March, Mercedes has sent its E-Class engineering team back to the drawing board with a plan to set new standards in the executive saloon class.

The result is a two-pronged attack to be led by a facelifted evolution of the current machine in mid-2006. That gives company technicians more than enough time to develop an all-new vehicle, codenamed W212, which is due for launch in 2009.

The mag's exclusive pictures of the latter reveal how radical changes are being planned for the newcomer. Abandoning the retro design of the current E-Class to embrace a look that's not unlike the new Lexus GS is a big step. But our sources say the most controversial change is that the SBC brake-by-wire system is being abandoned in favour of conventional hydraulic anchors. The ad-vanced set-up will continue to offer the benefits of SBC - independent braking of each wheel in particular - while providing greater feel and control.

Other features include bi-xenon headlamps which are linked to the steering to help illuminate around corners. An upgraded version of the Pre-Safe system is also being developed - this will include a 360-degree radar for monitoring the car's proximity to other road users and prepare the ABS and traction control systems as necessary. In addition, the technology adjusts airbags


and the seating position if it calculates that an accident appears imminent.

The E-Class is to come with a head-up display, projected on to the windscreen, and a BMW iDrive-style control operated by a keypad and rotating ball. Both rear and four-wheel-drive models are being considered, although it is not clear if the latter will be available in the UK. In the past, Mercedes has reserved 4WD variants for markets prone to snow such as Scandinavia and North America.

Entry-level versions will offer six-speed automatic gearboxes, but our spies report that the firm is to continue developing its new seven-speed unit for range-toppers. A vast array of petrol and diesel engines, equipped with particulate filters as standard, are also under development. All-new dual-fuel powerplants, derived from the C400 CDI hybrid motor which will debut with the next S-Class, will also be available.

The petrol range is set to include the basic E250, driven by a 2.5-litre direct-injection V6 developing 214bhp. At the other end of the scale, the flagship E63 AMG will produce 571bhp from a turbocharged 6.3-litre V8. Diesel options vary from the 204bhp 3.0-litre V6-powered E280 to the 354bhp 4.0-litre V8.
The new model is already undergoing trials, and prototypes have been built. And one thing looks certain: the E-Class test drivers will have one of the most rewarding jobs in the car industry.
Dan Strong

CE750

Nice, where did you read this from? And what do they mean by evolution of the current machine in 2006? The 2006 is out, and it's not very evolved.

I didn't have a problem with the SBC, I think they could have improved it, but shouldn't have abandoned it.

Hoping for a V8 diesel.

baubaulu

Any photos about the new eclass or facelift???

DWP

"Retro?" The Chrysler 300 is retro. The PT Cruiser is retro. The W211 ain't retro.

Embracing a look "not unlike the Lexus GS" would be a big step, all right. Right off a cliff.

CE750

Amen! I really think MB is falling into the American/Japanese trap of changing everything every 5 years or so, whether it needs it or not!

Remember the SL of the 70's didn't change for 16 years... why? They were great! I for one thing MB's designs are for the most part almost timeless (with in reason) and as such hated to seem them dump the current S-class so fast (I would have given it 4 more years), and would hate to see them abandon the E class after only 7 years.. unless they hit a home run.. but if it's GS looking... that would be a foul ball!

ima55r2

This sounds pretty good!

sacguy

Scary, isn't it. I would not model a car on the Lexus GS or Infiniti M. Would be a big blunder in my eyes. I would go as far as to say not only "off a cliff" but maybe even "off the entire mountain".

MB Fanatic

I just want that 6.3 litre V8 that twin turbocharged under the hood of my next W212 AMG.

sacguy

It was an article published By AutoExpress. I think "Evolution of the current machine" refers to the "facelift" version of the current W211 for the 2007 MY, which will be released sometime in the 2006 calendar year. I believe that Auto Express is a British or European magazine and their MY/Calendar year system for designating vehicles is different than in the US.

konigstiger

“The result is a two-pronged attack to be led by a facelifted evolution of the current machine in mid-2006.” As I understand it; Actual year 2006 (2007 model year).

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk
Enter search for w212 (note the 07 will not be a w212 that will be in 09)
Result: All-new E-Class Is An A6-shooter 10 May 05

mashimaro1985

I HOPE MB DONT CHANGE THE SL FOR A LONG TIME the current one JUST LOOKS TO AWESOME

DWP

This is almost entirely OT, but does anyone know how to temporarily disable the pestilence known as Macromedia Flash when using the Firefox browser? I know how to disable it in Internet Explorer, but haven't figured out yet how to disable it in Firefox ... the only problem I have with Firefox. Some freepin' Audi Flash ad in the linkied article keeps extending over the text of the article ... No, entirely unistalling Flash isn't an option because some sites don't work at all without it.

baubaulu

I am planning to order a new E350 W211 within this few months. Should i wait for the facelift? Regarding the big changes in the next model. Should i order it on mid 06 rather than order it now?

WillyWolo

does anyone kno when the s-class hybrid mentioned will be released?

cyclerider

WillyWolo

i was trying to find some info on a hybrid powerplant from mb before i started a new thread and this is as far as i got... so do you know anymore?

Miguk_Saram

Kudos for doing the research first.. instead of asking a blind question.

BudC

If you are going to keep it for a long time so that resale value isn't an issue and if you are comfortable with the SBC brakes, buy now. Otherwise, wait.

Realize that the the facelifted version will have a new braking system and will probably have teething problems just like SBC.

cyclerider

Hey BudC you just answered a question that baubaulu asked last JULY! He probably already made his decision.

BudC

OK, I'm going to crawl back in my hole now

cyclerider

Sorry BudC but I just couldn't resist!

BudC

If I lived in Oregon, I'd buy new cars a lot more often. It must be nice I tried to get my wife to let me buy in Bend. Lots of luxury car dealers and no sales tax. We wound up in Arizona where we have not only sales tax but license fees nearly as bad as California and Washington. She didn't like Bend because it was too cold.

BenzVince

That's great to hear but who know what the next E class will look like. I hope it would look great unlike the CLS class.

E200CDI

Maybe you have a look here: http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/n...asse.99243.htm

It's a little to early to have real pictures form the w212 (it will start 2009), but before they lounched the w211, Magazins in Germany posted also pictures like that and they have been already very close to the actual look of the w211 as it was in reality when MB launched it in 2002.

So maybe this is a good indication in which direction MB will go with the new design of the E-Class, lets see....

Chris