Mercedes E-Class improves efficiency with new petrol engines

Mercedes have updated their V6 and V8 petrol engines used in the E350 and E500. They are now mated to the 7G-Tronic Plus gearbox. Both of the new engines gain Mercedes ECO start/stop with improved aerodynamics and weight saving to improve performance and efficiency.

Both new engines feature aluminium crank cases, piston heads and cylinder heads which minimise weight and reduce engine friction by 28%. On top of this Blue Direct technology is showcased with third generation direct petrol injection featuring multi spark ignition, Piezo injectors and extended lean burn fuel injection.

The E350 remains naturally aspirated but has had its V angle reduced from 90° to 60° to improve engine smoothness. Power has increased from 215 kW to 225 kW (292hp to 306hp) and torque has increased to 370 Nm from 365 Nm. This sees the 0-62 time fall to 6.3 seconds while top speed remains electronically limited to 250 km/h (155mph).  Emissions have been improved significantly from 199 g/km to 159 g/km. Fuel efficiency has seen gains of 20%, improving to 6.8 L/100Km.

The E500 is now twin turbocharged for the first time and displacement has been reduced from 5461cc to 4633cc. Power is hiked from 285 kW to 300 kW (388bhp to 408bhp) and torque improves from 530 Nm to 600 Nm, this sees 0-62 mph despatched in 5.2 seconds and top speed is still electronically limited to 250km/hFuel efficiency and Co2 emissions are again massaged downwards. Co2 emissions drop from 253 g/km to 209 g/km and fuel efficiency improves from 10.8 l/100km to 8.9 l/100km.

In addition to the new engines the E-Class has gained some subtle interior and exterior styling tweaks. These include a full colour TFT display in the instrument cluster and a redesign of the steering column mounted gear selector for the7G-Tronic Plus gearbox. Elegance trim gains a luxury front head restraint with adjustable side bolsters.

The E 350 BlueEFFICIENCY and E 500 BlueEFFICIENCY at a glance*

*figures for Saloon; **NEDC combined fuel consumption; ***NEDC ****provisional figures