Mercedes-Benz has comprehensively revised all of the model series of the E-Class, to make the latest technical advances available in practice at an early stage.

The new-generation E-Class also offers a considerably sharpened design with a revised front-end, as well as significantly enhanced comfort, high-quality appointments, efficiency and driving pleasure.

The new-generation E-Class features a new front-end design as well as new proportions. When it came to the modifications, the designers followed the new Mercedes design idiom and re-interpreted the classical design values of the brand using the existing basis.

The front has been completely revised with new headlamps, which comprise all functional elements within a single headlamp lens. Flowing light elements within the headlamps help to ensure that the "four-eyed" look which is typical of the E-Class has been graphically retained. The headlamps are fitted with partial LED lights as standard, while full LED technology is available for the first time in this class as an option.

The bonnet and front bumper have also been redesigned too. The bumper, which boasts a new shape and is free of all light functions, has a modern appearance and, along with the wing design of its spoiler lip, discreetly underscores the sporty credentials of the E-Class.

A new feature line and a repositioned three-dimensional trim strip give both the Saloon and Estate models new, visually exciting proportions. The feature line runs below the structure line from the rear door through to the tail light. Visually this benefits the vehicle in terms of length. It underscores the side trim, which has been shifted downwards. Overall the E-Class looks more elongated and elegant, yet at the same time both dynamic and composed.

At the rear, the lights and bumper have been revised. The new horizontally structured LED tail lights with new two-tone look emphasise the width and feature a characteristic night design. The new rear bumper has a distinctive lip and a black insert with chrome badge.

The interior of the new-generation E-Class has been subtly reworked. A new feature is the two-part trim which stretches across the entire dashboard. It can be selected in a wood or aluminium look, irrespective of the equipment line. Also new are the three-tube instrument cluster, the trapezoid-shaped, high-gloss framed display in the head unit with flat-frame look, the design of the air vents as well as an analogue clock between the two central air vents.

What started with Pre-Safe and continued with Distronic Plus has resulted in a new dimension of motoring at Mercedes-Benz: comfort and safety are merged into one. Mercedes-Benz refers to this as "intelligent drive". In the new-generation E-Class a whole host of new or optimised systems from the future S-Class celebrate their world premiere, making motoring more comfortable and safer.

The basis for all this is formed by state-of-the-art sensors and appropriate algorithms. Mercedes-Benz has made a major step forward with the introduction of the Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera. Just like the Multi-Purpose Camera fitted previously, it is positioned behind the windscreen in the vicinity of the rear-view mirror. However, this camera features two "eyes" set at an angle of 45 degrees that produce a three-dimensional view of the area up to around 50 metres in front of the vehicle. In this way, the stereo camera provides data for processing by various systems. Intelligent algorithms perform an evaluation of this three-dimensional visual information in order to detect and carry out a classification, both spatially and in terms of their movement, of vehicles that are driving ahead, oncoming or crossing, as well as pedestrians and a variety of traffic signs within a large field of vision.

At the same time, along with the Stereo Multi Purpose Camera, Mercedes-Benz is also introducing enhanced versions of the multistage radar sensor system.

As standard, both Saloon and Estate models are fitted with Collision Prevention Assist, a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive brake assist systems. It helps to significantly reduce the risk of a rear-end collision. Also forming part of the standard equipment is Attention Assist, which is now able to warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness across a wider speed range, and also inform the driver about his level of fatigue and the amount of driving time which has elapsed since the last break. It also offers an adjustable sensitivity level.

In addition, also optionally available for the new-generation E-Class are a number of assistance systems which are either new or now feature significantly extended functions.

Both the E-Class Saloon and Estate are available with a broad range of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines. All are fitted with ECO start/stop systems.

A new element is the expansion of the BlueDIRECT petrol engine family with the addition of a four-cylinder petrol engine with spray-guided direct injection, based on the same trend-setting technology used in the latest generation of six- and eight-cylinder engines from Mercedes-Benz. Its technology package includes fast-acting piezo injectors for multiple injection, quick multi-spark ignition, turbocharging, fully variable camshaft adjustment on the inlet and exhaust side, as well as a controlled oil pump.

New developments for the four-cylinder engine include the first dynamic balancer with full anti-friction bearings to be used in a petrol engine, as well as a selectable water pump.

The engine also sees the world's first use of the stratified lean burn process in combination with exhaust-gas turbocharging and external high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. As a result the E-Class achieves a combined optimum consumption figure of 5.8 litres per 100km (corresponding to 135g/km CO2). In addition, the new BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines already meet the EU6 standard which will apply from 2015.

The comprehensive engine range is supplemented with the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid. It combines the four-cylinder diesel engine with an electric motor, thereby producing a system output of 170kW and 750Nm of torque. The E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid returns 4.1 litres per 100km and emits CO2 emissions of 107g/km.

Mercedes-Benz will also offer two transmissions for the E-Class in the future: a six-speed manual transmission with high ease of shifting and short shift travel, and the 7G-Tronic Plus automatic transmission with Direct Select lever and shift paddles.