While most of the cars we're hearing about in Frankfurt are of the fanciful supercar variety, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its most utilitarian of non-SUV models, the new E-Class wagon. The sedan and coupe versions of the E-Class were redesigned this year and are on sale now, but the new wagon won't make it stateside until later next year as a 2011 model.
Because the new E-Class design — and Mercedes' design overall — has a lot more hard lines and creases than the competition, the wagon's wedge shape seems an easy transition for the designers. The profile is handsome and the front looks menacing; only the rear seems to be somewhat staid. It's a wagon — what are you expecting?
Cargo volume is listed as 68 cubic feet, which would make it larger than the Audi A6 Avant (63.8 cubic feet) and the BMW 535i xDrive Sports Wagon (58.3 cubic feet).
The E-Class will go on sale in only one trim level to start, the E350 4Matic, which has a 268-horsepower V-6 and a seven-speed automatic transmission. It will also have a self-leveling rear suspension to compensate for heavy loads.
Pricing won't be announced until closer to the on-sale date, but the 2010 E350 4Matic sedan is about $2,000 less than the 2009 model it replaced. The 2009 E350 4Matic wagon started at $57,250. The 2011 version will also come with high-tech options like a collision warning system and Attention Assist, which alerts you when you're drowsy. |
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