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HISTORY:
OCT 1995
New E-Class rear wheel drive Saloon range launched: E200
(16 valve 136 bhp); E230 (16 valve 150 bhp); E250 Diesel
(20 valve 113 bhp); E280 (24 valve 193 bhp); E300 Diesel
(24 valve 136 bhp); and E320 (24 valve 220 bhp). All models
except E320 have 5-speed gearbox or optional 4 speed automatic
transmission with cruise control (standard on E320); E280
and E320 also available with optional 5-speed automatic.
All models have electronic traction control system, independent
double wishbone front and multi link rear suspension, anti-lock
brakes and power assisted steering. Classic models have
electric windows, heated electric mirrors, front airbags,
central locking and tinted glass. Elegance and Avant-garde
models have electric glass sunroof, front central arm rest,
door exit lights, automatic dipping rear view mirror and
alloy wheels (10-hole on Elegance, 5-hole on Avant-garde).
Avant-garde models have sports suspension and blue tinted
glass. JUN 1996 AMG E36 Saloon (272 bhp) launched in limited
numbers. E280 Classic, Elegance and Avant-garde models launched.
Revisions: all models have side airbags; E280 and E320 have
standard 5 speed automatic gearbox plus cruise control;
Elegance versions of E200, E230 and E250 D have larger alloy
wheels. JUL 1996 Estate range launched in UK. MAR 1997 E280
V6 (204 bhp) and E320 V6 (225 bhp) Saloons launched to replace
previous straight-six E280/E320 models. Revisions: improved
ASR traction control, 'Brake Assist' system and standard
radio/cassette player on all models. Standard air conditioning
on E280/E320, with sunroof now optional. APR 1997 E300 TD
(177 bhp, 5-speed automatic) Elegance and Avant-garde Saloons
and Estates launched in UK. E320 V6 automatic Estates launched
in UK. AUG 1997 E240 V6 (170 bhp, 5-speed manual or 5-speed
automatic) Saloons and Estates. DEC 1997 E430 V8 (279 bhp,
5-speed automatic) Elegance and Avant-garde Saloons and
Estates launched with ESP (Electronic Stability Programme)
combined traction control and braking system. JUN 1998 Revisions:
E200 has air conditioning; all Saloons have third (middle)
rear head restraint and three-point seatbelt; Elegance and
Avant-garde models have folding electric mirrors, headlamp
washers and rain sensitive screen wipe system; E430 has
metallic paint and standard leather seats. E55 AMG Saloon
and Estate (354 bhp) launched (Specialist models). DEC 1998
E220 (123 bhp) common rail diesel available in Saloon models
only.
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COMMENTS:
The current E-class is the definitive executive Mercedes.
You know exactly what you are going to get: reliability, build
quality, space and fantastic residuals. The Estate is the
size of a Small house whilst the wonderful Saloons are quality
conservative and just ooze class. Luxury cars are usually
packed with gadgets that are extra on other models but it
is not extravagant electronic gizmos such as satellite navigation
that are the talk of the Club Class lounges now - SAFETY is
the buzz word! You get what you pay for, in a recent research
laboratory test the E-Class tested came top of its class,
anything else would have been a surprise. From 70 mph, the
E-Class came to a halt in a little more than 45 meters, some
30 meters less than quoted by the Highway Code for this speed.
Models are absolutely "bristling" with the ESS 5.5 AMG EST
a special child detector for the passenger seat so the airbag
inflates accordingly! |
