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In the parlance of Mercedes talk, the fifth letter of the alphabet is used to denote excellence, a most appropriate characterization of the 1996 Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury sedan.

The new E-Class is Mercedes’ next generation of automobiles in that category. As a high-tech motor vehicle that does about everything it is possible to do for a driver, the ’96 E model offers more advancement than any of the E series of the last 10 years.

“It’s an unbelievable car,” said Paul Pettenaro, general manager of World Wide Motors. “We’ve never had a launch like we’ve had with this E320.”

There are three E-Class automobiles on Mercedes’ plate for ’96: an E300 diesel in-line 6; a E320 gasoline engine in-line 6; and a E420 gasoline V-8 with a five-speed automatic transmission that will be introduced next year.

“We expect to get the E420 in April.” Pettenaro said. “It will be a 1997 model.”

The E, which debuted in ’86, became the best-selling model in the company’s history. With front end styling, side door air bags, and upgraded interior styling and technology, the ’96 is projected to further enhance Mercedes’ market penetration.

The new E is slightly larger than the model that it replaces. The wheelbase is 111.5 inches, an increase of 1.3 inches. The overall length is 189.4, up 1.6 inches. Width is 70.8 inches, an increase of 2.3 inches. Comparably equipped, however, the new car weighs about the same as the model it replaced — 3,605 pounds.

The most obvious change in the ’96 E is the redesigned front end, which is highlighted by four oval headlights. The lighting technology, also new, features a standard free- form reflector system with polycarbonate plastic lenses.

Aerodynamics is obviously the name of the game in today’s styling. In keeping with the theme that accommodates low exterior drag yet provides interior room, Mercedes’ stylists have come up with a shape that possesses an impressive 0.29 coefficient of drag.

As the car slides through the air with the greatest of ease, so do its driver and the up to four passengers. It wouldn’t be a Mercedes-Benz without a complete range of comfort and convenience items.

The E is downright spacious, especially in the rear. In the driver’s compartment, all controls are within easy reach of what could be called a state-of-the-art layout.

The compartment also includes side-door air bags and climate-control technology that automatically switches to recirculation, should rising levels of carbon monoxide be detected inside.

On the comfort and convenience front, the seating memory system automatically raises the headrest when the seat moves back. And the tilt-and- telescope wheel is controlled by a convenient switch on the driver’s door panel.

Mercedes has long been an advocate of double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder. Where its 24-valve, 3.2-liter (182.7 cubic inch) 6 deviates from domestic and many import producers is that its six cylinders are all in a line rather than being a V-6.

The six-holer amply exceeds the 1-horsepower per-cubic-inch benchmark by putting out 217-horsepower and 229 foot-pounds of torque. That power hauls 3,600 pounds of automobile off the line to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. For the autobahn types, top speed is electronically limited to 130 mph.

Mercedes’ forte is more than raw speed for its luxury sedan. Ride ease and control are high on the list of priorities with an all-new double wishbone front suspension system that replaces the MacPherson strut system of the previous model.

All in all, the tri-star of Mercedes-Benz has brought forth for $43,500 a world class motor car. For the price, that’s no small order, considering today’s rising manufacturing costs.