Watching Over You
by David Finlay (31 July 06)

If you tried to explain to a not very car-literate person that Mercedes-Benz has just launched a new E-Class, you might find that they take some convincing. From the outside, the changes are subtle; the front end has been given a slightly more aggressive quality, the side skirts and rear bumper of the outgoing Avantgarde models are now fitted to the whole range, and the rear lights have been redesigned. There are some interior updates too, but again nothing that would radically alter the world view of a long-standing E-Class enthusiast.

This is more than a mere facelift, though. Mercedes says that there have been around 2000 technical changes, and while this represents only a small fraction of the total number of components which make up an E-Class, they are mostly at the interesting end of the scale.

Most of the engines, for example, have been tweaked, and the general trend is that they produce significantly more power than before while retaining or slightly improving on previous levels of fuel economy. Nearly all of them are mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox, though the supercharged E 200 Kompressor and the E 220 CDI turbo diesel get six-speed manuals instead.

The new E-Class is liberally supplied with electronic aids - to such an extent, in fact, that you sometimes suspect these cars will eventually become fed up of your driving and say, "Oh, for heaven's sake, just leave this to me," and take over completely.

Well, not quite, perhaps, but the gizmos certainly keep an eye on you. The drive-by-wire throttle notes how you have been driving over the last few miles and assumes you want to continue doing that unless it's advised differently. The automatic transmission can be set to anticipate the next gear you require before you actually require it.

The headlights - if you've gone for the Intelligent Light System option - illuminate just the parts of the road you need illuminated when they're on dipped beam. Various aids help you keep the car under control even when you think you've exceeded the absolute limit. And, above all, there are safety systems by the bucketload.

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