2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Overview

Four different models of the E-Class are offered in the U.S. The E350 has a 268-horsepower, 3.5L V6; the E550 has a 382-horsepower, 5.5L V8; the high-performance E63 AMG has a 507-horsepower, 6.3L V8; and the E320 BlueTEC comes with a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 that makes 208 horsepower and 388 ft-lb of torque. All engines are mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

In addition to the 4-door sedan, the E350 and E63 are also available in a wagon body style. The E350 and E550 have a 4-Matic all-wheel-drive system available.
The 6.3L V8 in the E63 AMG is the first engine to be completely developed by AMG; it has four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing, bucket-style tappets and a variable intake manifold.

The E63, as the performance leader of the line, can reach 60 mph in only 4.3 seconds. It can also be ordered with a performance package that lifts the 155-mph electronically limited top speed to 186 mph. It includes a specially tuned Airmatic sport suspension, a limited-slip differential, 19-inch alloy wheels, larger front brake discs, and an AMG sport steering wheel with paddle shifters.

Meanwhile, the E320 BlueTEC utilizes a diesel engine that runs as clean as a modern gasoline car, and the 3.0L CDI V6 is capable of 32 mpg on the highway.

Each of the E-Class models comes very well equipped as luxury cars. Options include a Bluetooth hands-free system, DVD navigation, side window blinds, Sirius satellite radio, the Parktronic parking aid, bi-xenon headlamps with active curve illumination and a panorama sunroof. The available AMG Sport Package adds much of the E63's appearance equipment to the E350 or E550.

Window curtain airbags and side-impact airbags are standard on the E-Class, along with PRE-SAFE, a system that tenses the seatbelts if it anticipates a collision, and closes the sunroof and side windows if it anticipates a loss of control.