This new E-Class is the ninth generation of the executive-class car and replaces the previous version released in Australia in 2002. E, by the way, stands for Executive. In many European and some Asian countries this executive sedan also moonlights in the taxi ranks, thanks to comfort levels and fuel efficient diesels. Mercedes-Benz produce an E-Class variant particularly for that purpose.

All up around 400 kms. In addition to the in-house crash testing the company also conducted 17,000 crash simulations before production started.

So the basis of safety – the car's architecture – means a 30 per cent increase in the rigidity of the body shell. The car also has Pre-Safe where the car detects an accident is about to happen and prepares the cabin, and occupants, for the inevitable.

“These technologies make the E-Class an intelligent partner able to see, feel, react reflexively in critical situations and if necessary act independently to prevent accidents or mitigate their consequences,” said a Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman.

Speed Limit Assist is not yet available in Australia but a number of new luxury cars have the technology when it does arrive.

Technology to keep drivers alert is called Attention Assist and uses sensors that continuously monitor 70 parameters, particularly the driver's steering behaviour. Mercedes say research has shown drowsy drivers make minor steering errors that lead to sudden corrections, which are picked up by the technology and conveyed to the driver, initially by a coffee cup icon popping up in the instrument binnacle.

The Lane Tracking package includes Blind Spot Assist and a new development, Lane Keeping Assist. This technology detects when a car is drifting over either centre or roadside white lines and causes a shudder to vibrate through the steering wheel. This is standard on all V6 and V8 E-Class models and optional on four cylinder variants.

The LED daytime lights are best known in Australia on high-performance Audi cars where they form part of the headlamps. These lights are compulsory in parts of Europe ... remember how Volvo used to have daytime running lights in their 2-Series cars?

Technology from the top-of-the-line S-Class has filtered down to the E-Class and includes the optional Night View Assist Plus, where using heat sensing technology pedestrians are highlighted in the on-board display screen to warn the driver that people are on or near the roadway.

E-Class also features nine airbags and another optional S-Class radar-based assistance for emergency braking.

These are not the only input from S-Class with the wheel arch extensions, larger bumpers and character line that extends just under the door handles bearing close resemblance to the flagship. The new E-Class has sportier, more aggressive front appearance thanks to a wider, sculpted grille. The interior is slightly roomier and the fit and quality is what we have come to expect from Mercedes.

There are two equipment levels – Elegance (traditional and classic appearance) and Avantgarde which is more modern and sporty

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We drove the E 350 and E500 variants that both feature the 7G-Tronic seven speed automatic transmission. The changer is still on the steering column, unlike the coupe that has a floor-mounted changer. The E 350 is powered by a 3.5 litre V6 putting out 200 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque. Mercedes claim 9.4 litres/100 km economy and 219 g/km of CO2 emissions. We drove the E500 V8 first so the E 350 did seem a little lethargic in comparison. The reality is the E 350 is pretty quick, but makes no fuss about it, unlike the V8 roar out of the E 500. The E 350 feels lighter and out test car had a standard suspension set-up compared to the E 500 which had air suspension.

We found the air suspension quite ponderous in the E 500 in `comfort' mode particularly at speed and under tight cornering, but a vast improvement when switched over to `sport' mode. No such impressions from the E 350 with its steel springs.

The E 500 is powered by a 5.4 litre V8 pushing out 285 kW of power and 530 Nm of torque. Mercedes claim 11.0 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions level of 258 g/km. The V8 delivers effortless acceleration at all speeds and even driven enthusiastically seems to have reasonable economy around the sub 15.0 litres/100 km level. In both cars the brakes have a great feel even under a heavy left foot. Handling is predictable and the NVH is what you expect from luxury cars. For those looking for more economical cheaper variants of E-Class, there are diesel alternatives in addition to a four cylinder petrol, all arriving in late September this year.

turbo diesels

E 220 CDI 4 cyl Elegance $80,900 (late Sept, 2009 )

E 250 CDI 4 cyl Avantgarde $96,900 (late Sept, 2009)

E 350 CDI V6 Avantgarde $131,900 (late Sept, 2009)

petrol

E 250 CGI 4 cyl Avantgarde $93,900 (late Sept, 2009)

E 350 V6 Avantgarde $128,900 (July 29, 2009)

E 500 V8 Avantgarde $178,900 (July 29, 2009)