Mercedes-Benz has finally taken the wraps off the highly-anticipated E-Class and it has been comprehensively upgraded.

With over 14 million Saloon, Estate, Coupe and Cabriolet models delivered since 1946, the E-Class is the best-selling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz. Many regard it as the 'heart of the brand'. The 10^th generation of the E-Class sports an emotionally appealing design, and an exclusive high-quality interior - setting a high benchmark for cars in its class. This emotionally appealing and at the same time intelligent combination is extremely successful: To date, more than 1.2 million customers around the world have purchased a current generation E-Class.

Design wise, the new front end with increased chrome content plays a role in the fresh appearance: Chrome and high-gloss black trim elements in the front bumper underscore the sporty and elegant appearance. The likewise available Exclusive Line lives up to its name: The special grille, the upright star on the bonnet and the large chrome elements in the front bumper emphasise this positioning.

The AMG Line with a new bumper in the style of the AMG Performance models looks even sportier. In addition, Avantgarde, AMG Line features a bonnet with powerdomes. The E-Class features all-LED headlamps as standard. Multibeam LED headlamps including Ultra Range high beams are available as optional equipment.

The designers also updated the Saloon's rear end with a new bumper, two-section taillights and a new boot lid.

On the inside, the seats combine hallmark Mercedes-Benz long-distance suitability with avant garde design. While providing a high level of comfort, they ensure good support in dynamic driving situations. The adaptive driver's seat adjustment is a particularly intelligent feature: When the driver's height is entered in the media display or via Mercedes me, the seat automatically moves into a position generally suitable for someone of that height, which then only needs to be fine-tuned by the driver.

The new E-Class has the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems providing cooperative support to drivers. This results in an especially high level of active safety: The vehicle is able to react intelligently and rapidly if the driver fails to respond.

The hands-off detection feature of the steering wheel now works on a capacitive basis. This enhances user-friendliness when driving in semi-automated mode. This is because to inform the assistance systems that the driver still has control of the E-Class, it is sufficient for the driver to hold the steering wheel.

Steering torque - that is to say a slight steering movement - was previously required as feedback. The new steering wheel features a pad with the appropriate sensors in the rim. These register whether the driver is holding the wheel. If the system detects that the driver does not have his/her hands on the steering wheel for a certain time, a warning sequence is started. This finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.

The new E-Class is currently available in one engine variant with three design and equipment lines: E200 Avantgarde, E200 Exclusive and E200 AMG Line.

The Mercedes-Benz E200 Saloon is powered by the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine combined with the 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. It develops 195bhp from 5,500rpm and a maximum torque of 320Nm from just 1,650rpm, allowing the vehicle to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds.