Mercedes-Benz · 2002–2009

Mercedes-Benz W211

The Mercedes-Benz W211 is the third generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class made from 2002 to 2009 in sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate configurations – replacing the W210 E-Class models and superseded by the Mercedes-Benz W212 in 2009. The C219, marketed as the CLS, was introduced as a niche model in 2005, based on W211 mechanicals. Launched in 2002 for the 2003 model year, the W211 E-Class was another evolution of the previous model. Before North American sales began, the car was shown in the 2002 movie Men in Black II. The W211 development program began in 1997, followed by design work. The final designs were chosen in 1999, and German patents were filed on December 18, 2000 utilizing an E 500 prototype. Development ended in 2001 after 48 months, at a total cost of €2 billion. Pilot production went into testing in the summer of 2001, and the W211 E-Class debuted at the Brussels Motor Show in January 2002.

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All Mercedes-Benz W211 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

2003–2005

The W211 E-Class was unveiled at the January 2002 European Motor Show Brussels featuring twin-headlights, angled slightly rearward. The 2003 E-Class was larger than its predecessors while offering less interior space, particularly in the estate version, than the W210 it replaced. It offered petrol or diesel engines with a choice of rear or four-wheel drive. Mercedes-Benz claimed to have reduced the fuel consumption of the new E-Class by up to 0.9 litres per 100 km compared with the outgoing model. The redesigned 2003 model featured electrohydraulic braking system marketed as Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC), which was standard equipment in the E-Class. Options included multicontour front seats and dual control air suspension system marketed as Airmatic DC. Air suspension was standard equipment in the top-of-the-range E 500 V8 model and was available as an option on all other E-Class models. The W211 is a more complex car than its predecessor, with a programmable serial bus and many automated systems. The 2003 E-Class was offered in sedan and 5-door station wagon configurations in three trim lines, marketed as Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde. The W211 was the first E-Class since 1985 equipped with two windshield wipers. The transmission options were 5 or 7-speed automatic or 6-speed manual. V6, V8, inline-4, and supercharged inline-4 engines were offered. Engine outputs of E 240 and E 270 models from the previous W210 E-Class were given a 5 kW increase to 130 kW, while the E 500 uses the 225 kW 5.0-litre V8 from the W220 S-Class to supersede the W210 E 430. The E 320 remained unchanged, producing 165 kW of power. E 320 CDI. The E 320 CDI used the 3,222 cc (3.222 L; 196.6 cu in) in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine, OM648, that made 204 PS (150 kW; 201 hp) at 4,200 rpm and 5

2006–2009 (Mid-generational refresh)

The W211 was updated in 2006 for the 2007 model year. There was new standard and optional equipment, which enabled the W211 to hold its own against its competitors. Sensotronic was dropped due to customer complaints about its software, while Pre-Safe (w/o autonomous braking) was made standard. The announced vehicle was unveiled at the 2006 New York International Auto Show. In total, 29 model variants were available, with 16 Saloons and 13 Estates. New standard equipment included PRE-SAFE active protection, NECK-PRO head restraints, flashing brake lights, tyre pressure monitor. The optional Intelligent Light System included bi-xenon headlamps and 5 different lighting functions. The bodies were restyled including the front grille, rear view mirror, side mirrors, redesigned headlamps, front spoiler, rear lights, gear knob and steering wheel. Coinciding with the minor model update, the largest factory built engine in the E-class range, the E 500 (badged E 550 in some countries), had its engine size increased from 5 litres to 5.5 litres in 2006. E 63 AMG (2007–2009). The E 63 AMG was the refreshed high-performance model of the W211, replacing the E 55 AMG. Besides the Saloon, it was also offered in the Estate body style similarly to the E 55 AMG estate model to compete with the new wagon versions of the BMW M5 (E61) and Audi RS 6 (C6), though those two high-performance wagons were never sold in North America. This engine had a high-pressure die-cast alloy cylinder block with twin-wire arc spray coated running surfaces. Compression ratio is 11.3:1. According to many auto journalists, the E 63 AMG was one of the quickest production sports sedans in the world. Both the sedan (saloon) and wagon had a 0–60 mph (97 km/h) acceleration time of 4.3 seconds. Compared to the previous E

Engines

=== Engines === There was a wider range of engines available in Europe than North America and other markets. 2006–2009 E 500 are known as the E 550 in US, Canada. E 500 was sold with 5.0L in US, Canada for 2003–2006, and as the E 550 with 5.5L after 2007. E 300 BlueTEC was sold as E 320 BlueTEC in US, Canada. E 280 4MATIC was sold as E 300 4MATIC in Canada. E 240 was sold as E 260 in Indonesia. Note that some models (i.e.: E 280, E 350, E 280 CDI) are introduced with the M272 and OM642 engines in pre-facelift form. Transmissions. Optional equipment: 5-Speed Automatic – code 42/3 in the data-card; 7-Speed Automatic (7G-TRONIC) – code 2/7 in the data-card; Up to approx. 07/2005: From 07/2005: From 09/2005: From 01/2006: From 09/2007: From 04/2008: The same, except: Safety.

Sales

On 19 December 2008, Mercedes-Benz announced it had delivered 1.5 million units of W211 E-Class vehicles, with 1,270,000 sedans and 230,000 wagons. US and Germany sales

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Specifications

name: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211)
Manufacturer: DaimlerChrysler (2002–2007), Daimler AG (2007–2009)
Production: January 2002 – April 2009 (sedan), February 2002 – June 2009 (station wagon), 1.5 million built
Model years: 2003–2009
Assembly: Germany: Sindelfingen, Mexico: Santiago Tianguistenco, Mexico: Toluca, China: Beijing (Beijing Benz), Austria: Graz (Magna Steyr: 4Matic Only), Egypt: 6th of October City (EGA), Iran: Tehran (Top Khodro), Malaysia: Johor Bahru (OASB), Malaysia: Pekan (DRB-HICOM), Indonesia: Bogor (MBI), Thailand: Samut Prakan (TAAP: E200 NGT)
Predecessor: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W210)
Successor: Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W212)
Class: Executive car (E)
Body style: 4-door saloon, 5-door station wagon
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive / four-wheel drive (4Matic)
Engine: Petrol, 1.8 L M271 supercharged I4, 2.6–3.2 L M112 V6, 2.5–3.5 L M272 V6, 5.0 L M113 V8, 5.4 L M113k supercharged V8, 5.5 L M273 V8, 6.2 L M156 V8, Petrol / CNG:, 1.8 L M271 supercharged I4, Diesel, 2.1 L OM646 turbo I4, 2.7 L OM647 turbo I5, 3.0 L OM642 turbo V6, 3.2 L OM648 turbo I6, 4.0 L OM628/OM629 turbo V8
Transmission: 6-speed manual, 6-speed Sequentronic automated manual, 5-speed 5G-Tronic automatic, 7-speed 7G-Tronic automatic
Wheelbase: 2854 mm
Length: 2003–06 Sedan: 190.3 in, 2007–09 Sedan: 191.0 in, 2004–06 Wagon: 191.7 in, 2007–09 Wagon: 192.3 in
Width: 2003–04: 71.3 in, 2005–09: 71.7 in
Height: 2003–06 Sedan: 57.0 in, 2007–09 Sedan: 58.4 in, 2007–09 Wagon: 59.3 in, 2004–09 Wagon: 58.9 in, AMG: 57.2 in
Kerb weight: 1560-1819 kg
Related: Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class (C209), Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class (C219), Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger (LX/LD), Dodge Magnum, SsangYong Chairman (Second generation)
Designer: Hartmut Sinkwitz (1999)