Mercedes-Benz, one of the leading luxury car makers, has been in the process of developing the facelifted version of its E-Class sedan. The car was first launched in India back in 2009 and now, it will be relaunched with a series of updated powertrains and two new AMG variants. It is speculated that the much loved performance oriented 430 kW AMG S will be launched in the country as well. The new model will come equipped with a re-designed front fascia and boasts of single cluster headlamps, instead of the signature quad headlamp arrangement of the E-Class. According to the car maker, E-Class is the first-of-its kind to come with standard LED low beams.
According to the Project Manager, Development of E-Class, Peter Schmidt, the E-Class is being designed to offer as the best model in its segment. It was a direct hint towards projecting the idea that the new model will outperform BMW 5-Series and Audi A6. In order to give the facelifted E-Class an upper hand in the competition, the car maker has installed several security features from its yet-to-be launched flagship S-Class, which will make its debut in September 2013.
The security kit of E-Class is likely to include the Intelligent Drive technology that brings together the best of active and passive safety features by Mercedes-Benz to provide enhanced all round safety. This technology is assisted by features like radar, camera-based collision warning, collision prevention assist and adaptive brake assist. Another top notch feature is the active lane keeping assist, which prevents the vehicle to change lanes when a car is detected to be approaching or passing on the other lane.
The facelifted E-Class will also come with a series of refreshed and redesigned powertrains. There will be an all-new 2 litre petrol powertrain, which will make its debut in the E200 and E250 variants. This direct-injection and turbocharged BlueDirect unit happens to be the first 4-cylinder spark ignition powertrain from the house of German car maker. Assisted by technologies like stratified lean-burn combustion, exhaust gas recirculation and turbocharging, the engine is capable of delivering a powerful performance with reduced emissions. The refreshed powertrain and the speculated launch of AMG variants are enough to keep Indian customers anxious and build up the hype. However, it remains to be seen how the car maker price the new model, if it manages to counter the competition posed by its German counterparts.
