<car>: Mercedes E63 AMG (2009)

[GoldFish]

Mercedes E63 AMG (2009)

By Tim Pollard
Spyshots
12 May 2008 17:13

The disguise continues to fall off the next Mercedes E-class, and it’s plain to see that it won’t shock anyone – even in this musclebound AMG spec. Not for Merc the surprise and radical change that heralded the E60 BMW 5-series.
Instead, the new E (dubbed W212 in Mercspeak) will have a typically sleek outline redolent of its bigger S-class brother. Plus, on this example, the quad pipes, big wheels, discrete bodykit and huge brake discs that denote the E63 AMG sports saloon.
One giveaway to the new E-class’s design is the updated, CLS-style headlamps alluded to under the frontal disguise of this test car, a strong character line down the flanks and a stylised rear wheel arch.
Mercedes E-class: the lowdown

Where you can expect a radical rethink is under the skin. The next-gen E-class will have an E300 Bluetec diesel hybrid emitting just 134g/km of CO2. By linking Merc’s diesel Bluetec engine to a hybrid system, the greenest E-class should mix performance (413lb ft of twist) with purity (55.4mpg).
The diesel hybrid won’t be a big seller, as it’ll cost more than an E320 CDI (but less than the E500). It’s not the first Merc hybrid, though – that’ll be the S400 hybrid due at the 2008 Paris motor show this autumn.

Forget the E-class hybrid, presumably diesels will be the big sellers?

You could say that. The big event will be the 2.2 and 3.0-litre diesels, badged E200 CDI, E220 CDI, E250 CDI and E300 CDI; however, the UK is unlikely to take the lowest-power version.
Unleaded lovers can pick everything from a 1.8-litre petrol up to a muscle-bound 6.2-litre V8, most with CGI direct-injection for cleaner emissions. Did you know why the big AMG engine doesn’t grow beyond its 6208cc? There’s a 6.3-litre tax break in Germany, beyond which you’re clobbered by seriously high bills…
Is the new E-class new underneath?

You bet. The E-class premieres the latest iteration of Merc’s mid-sized saloon architecture – with an emphasis on back-to-basics engineering after the debacle of the dodgy electronic braking system on the last E, which led to one of the biggest recalls of recent times.
So expect conventional hydraulic brakes, a multilink rear axle and four-link front axle layout, governed by ABC Active Body Control systems and Airmatic suspension on higher-spec (as opposed to hire-spec) models.
And toys galore?

Oh yes. Stuttgart is going to throw its entire toy cupboard at the new E-class, with electronic systems that read road signs as you pass them (reminding you of speed limits and the like) and automatically flick your headlights between main beam and dipped.
There’s even a pop-up bonnet that can be reset simply, rather than require a trip to the garage. Handy for those who like to bump-park.

Forget the E-class hybrid, presumably diesels will be the big sellers?

You could say that. The big event will be the 2.2 and 3.0-litre diesels, badged E200 CDI, E220 CDI, E250 CDI and E300 CDI; however, the UK is unlikely to take the lowest-power version.
Unleaded lovers can pick everything from a 1.8-litre petrol up to a muscle-bound 6.2-litre V8, most with CGI direct-injection for cleaner emissions. Did you know why the big AMG engine doesn’t grow beyond its 6208cc? There’s a 6.3-litre tax break in Germany, beyond which you’re clobbered by seriously high bills…
Is the new E-class new underneath?

You bet. The E-class premieres the latest iteration of Merc’s mid-sized saloon architecture – with an emphasis on back-to-basics engineering after the debacle of the dodgy electronic braking system on the last E, which led to one of the biggest recalls of recent times.
So expect conventional hydraulic brakes, a multilink rear axle and four-link front axle layout, governed by ABC Active Body Control systems and Airmatic suspension on higher-spec (as opposed to hire-spec) models.
And toys galore?

Oh yes. Stuttgart is going to throw its entire toy cupboard at the new E-class, with electronic systems that read road signs as you pass them (reminding you of speed limits and the like) and automatically flick your headlights between main beam and dipped.
There’s even a pop-up bonnet that can be reset simply, rather than require a trip to the garage. Handy for those who like to bump-park.

for the past few years i've been petrified this one would come out ugly, this would really be it, please Benz dont do this to your forever loyal fans ... please let this one look good ----> seariously worried

for more: http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...ontent-block=0

[EldoFan]

C63 AMG on steroids??

[GoldFish]

oh comon EldoFan .... yer not helpin here

[AndrewGS]

I'm confident the W212 will be a classy car with an uncluttered design that takes many cues from the new W204. Unfortunately, I'm also quite sure the W212 will take the headlamp design of the R230, which to me isn't cohesive with the rest of the car's design.

The W211 has aged gracefully, but I really can't wait to see the new W212.