The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, launched on May 26 by Abdul Rahman Albisher & Zaid Alkazemi Co., Authorized General Distributor for Mercedes-Benz in Kuwait, is the pacemaker when it comes to safety, comfort and environmental compatibility in its market segment.

With its unique combination of driver assistance systems, this saloon further consolidates the leading position of Mercedes-Benz in the luxury class.

Features include a drowsiness detection system, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and the proximity control system which is capable of performing automatic emergency braking when there is acute danger of a collision.

“We expect the new E-Class to be a firm favourite with our customers and build an even stronger following than the outgoing model,” said Horst J. Neuber, General Manager, Albisher & Alkazemi Co.

Mercedes-Benz has improved the already exemplary long-distance comfort of the E-Class even further in the new saloon, principally through the use of intelligent body shell technology with up to 30 percent greater rigidity, further improved seats and a newly developed suspension whose shock absorbers automatically adjust to the current driving situation. The optional air suspension now works in combination with an electronic damping system.

The outstanding safety and comfort of the E-Class are matched by its environmental compatibility and economy: the four- and six-cylinder engines are direct-injection units, and consume up to 23 percent less fuel than before.

Mercedes-Benz equips the BlueEFFICIENCY models E 200 CGI and E 250 CGI that will arrive later this year with the newly developed four-cylinder direct petrol injection engine with a displacement of 1.8 litres, turbocharging and variable intake and exhaust camshafts. The E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (184 hp) is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission and the ECO start/stop function as standard, and consumes only 6.8 litres of premium petrol per 100 kilometres (combined NEDC consumption, provisional figure). This equates to 159 grams of CO2 per kilometre.

In the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (204 hp), which has a five-speed automatic transmission as standard, maximum torque is now 310 newton metres, which represents an increase of more than 26 percent over the previous V6-engine. At the same time the NEDC fuel consumption is reduced by over 20 percent to 7.3 litres per 100 kilometres, equating to 174 grams of CO2 per kilometre (provisional figures).

As before, the E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (available in August 2011) with direct petrol injection (292 hp) and the top-of-the-line E 500 (388 hp) are included in the range of engine variants in the new E-Class. By optimising details of their design, it has been possible to reduce the fuel consumption of these V6/V8 models by up to 0.6 litres per 100 kilometres. For the ultimate in performance, the E 63 AMG from Mercedes-AMG develops 525 hp.

Mercedes-Benz equips the V6 and V8-models as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission, steering wheel selector lever and shift paddles.

“For more than 50 years, the E-Class saloons and their predecessors have been acknowledged as trendsetters in the safety field. The new saloon continues this tradition with an unrivalled combination of the very latest assistance and protection system whose concept and development are based on what actually happens during accidents.

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. With this concept, the new Mercedes model not only protects its own occupants, but also contributes decisively to the greater safety of other road users” said Palli Musthafa, Senior Manager Sales & operations, Albisher & Alkazemi Co.

The new E-Class is the first car in the world to be equipped with headlamps which adapt to the traffic situation and respond automatically to avoid dazzling other drivers. The optional Adaptive Highbeam Assist uses a camera on the windscreen to recognise oncoming traffic and vehicles moving ahead and to control the headlamps so that their beams do not reach the other vehicle. This achieves the best possible road illumination in a given situation. The range of the dipped headlamp beams can be extended from 65 to as much as 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam.

Mercedes-Benz offers this new system in a lighting package that includes bi-xenon headlamps, the Intelligent Light System and LED daytime driving lights.

The Lane Tracking package for the new E-Class includes Blind Spot Assist familiar from the S-Class, and as a new development, Lane Keeping Assist which seeks to prevent the vehicle from leaving the road unintentionally. When the system recognises that the car is drifting from its lane, the driver is prompted to take counter steering action by brief but unmistakable vibrations of the steering wheel.

In 1995 the E-Class was the first Mercedes model to appear with the widely acclaimed twin-headlamp face – a highly symbolic design feature that still characterises the identity of the E-Class. Nonetheless, the design idiom has remained fluid—even for this characteristic styling feature—and has been adapted to suit the very self-confident, more masculine overall appearance of the saloon.

The designers have now reinterpreted these four “eyes” as rectangles, with a direct reference to the interesting geometrical shapes found in cubism. They resemble precious gems that have been precisely set into the wings. In the same way, the radiator grille with its three- dimensional chromed surround, dynamic arrow-shape and more upright position underlines the status of the car as the epitome of a business saloon.

A sophisticated interplay between lines and surfaces is one of the hallmarks of today’s Mercedes design. Large concave or convex surface areas are structured by taut, clearly defined lines. This design concept has been perfected down to the last detail in the new E-Class. The side contours become connecting features that influence the entire body design, that is to say not just the side aspects but also the front and rear-end styling.

At the rear, this harmonious flow culminates in a new feature: a graceful line that follows the rear wheel arches and lends a clear shape to the imposing, muscular contours of the rear wings. Here Mercedes aficionados will recognise styling features reminiscent of the famous “Ponton Mercedes”. Introduced in 1953, this model underlined its self-assured character by means of similarly striking contours. In addition to this symbolic role, the rear styling treatment is also a hallmark of the E-Class which well illustrates how tradition is made to harmonise with the future in this model series.

The new E- Class will be available in Kuwait exclusively from Albisher & Alkazemi Co. from May 26th onwards.