The 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class was introduced in 2002. The 3rd Generation E-Class is a front engine front/four wheel drive subcompact luxury sedan. The 3rd Generation E-Class is available in 11 versions E200 Kompressor, E240, E280, E320, E350, E500, E55 AMG, E63AMG, E200 CDI, E300 BlueTEC and E420 CDI. The 3rd Generation E-Class is available in 2 body styles as well 4-door sedan and 5-door station wagon. The Mercedes E-Class 3rd Generation featured a new updated design language along with a body that featured larger exterior dimensions compared to the 2nd Generation Mercedes E-Class. The Mercedes E-Class 3rd Generation is based on the same platform that underpins the Mercedes CLS. The 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class received a facelift in 2006 that introduced a series of cosmetic changes and refreshes. Production of the Mercedes E-Class 2002 lasted for 8 years. The Mercedes E-Class was available to purchase in the years 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and the year 2009. The Mercedes E-Class was offered in 2 variants Base and Luxury. The price of the Mercedes E-Class 3rd Generation was not competitive when compared to other models in the same class available in the local market.
Exterior
The exterior of the 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class features a unique design language. The front end houses quad circular headlights, a chrome trapezium grille, a trapezium air intake and standard circular fog lights. The rear end houses triangular designed side swept taillights and a chrome trim piece running across the upper lip of the bumper. The E63 AMG and E55 AMG versions featured slightly more sporty and aggressive design language. The front end houses a larger front bumper with a larger trapezium styled intake flanked by dual intakes and a front splitter. The rear end houses a larger rear bumper, larger tires, a lip spoiler and a sports exhaust system with a rear diffuser. All other variants of the Mercedes E-Class feature identical styling in every aspect. The facelift variant of the Mercedes E-Class featured a revised design language, the front end houses revised headlights, a new grille and smaller circular fog lights, the rear end features a new exhaust outlet, new chrome trim pieces, and revised taillights. The overall exterior of the 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class features a fairly distinctive design language that allows it to differentiate itself from its rivals.
Interior
The interior of the 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class features a familiar Mercedes design language. The front and rear seats are covered in leather plus fabric. Standard features on the base variant include heated and power door mirrors, auto-dimming rearview mirror, keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control, memory seats, 12-speaker stereo audio system, rain sensing windscreen wipers, multifunction steering wheel, stability control and traction control. Features on the Luxury variant include satellite navigation as standard, reversing camera as standard, full leather upholstery as standard and a power moonroof as standard. Options include close power trunk, satellite navigation, distance pacing cruise control, power moonroof, headlight cleaning system, reversing camera with parking sensors, rear window blind, leather/wood steering wheel, leather upholstery, split folding rear seats and heated front seats. The overall interior of the 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class features a good amount of space in both the front and rear for a sedan of its exterior dimensions. It also offers a good level of comfort and interior refinement.
Engine
Engine
(E200 Kompressor) 1.8 Liter Supercharged Inline-4
(E240) 2.6 Liter V6
(E280) 3.0 Liter V6
(E320) 3.2 Liter V6
(E350) 3.5 Liter V6
(E500) 5.0 Liter V8
(E55 AMG) 5.5 Liter Supercharged V8
(E63 AMG) 6.2 Liter V8
(E200 CDI) 2.2 Liter Inline-4 Diesel
(E300 BlueTEC) 3.0 Liter V6 Diesel
(E420 CDI) 4.0 Liter V8 Diesel
Gearbox
6-Speed Manual
5-Speed Automatic
7-Speed Automatic
Mileage
The Mercedes E-Class 3rd Generation can achieve an average of between 6KM/L to 11KM/L making for an estimated driving range of between 450KM to 825KM from the sedans 75 liter fuel tank.
Competitor
The main competitors of the 3rd Generation Mercedes E-Class are the BMW 5 Series, Audi A6 and the Jaguar XF.
Specifications
(E200 Kompressor) 1.8 Liter Supercharged Inline-4 181bhp@5600RPM
(E240) 2.6 Liter V6 175bhp@6300RPM
(E280) 3.0 Liter V6 218bhp@6000RPM
(E320) 3.2 Liter V6 228bhp@5600RPM
(E350) 3.5 Liter v6 288bhp@6400RPM
(E500) 5.0 Liter V8 302bhp@6000RPM
(E55 AMG) 5.5 Liter Supercharged V8 469bhp@6100RPM
(E63 AMG) 6.2 Liter V8 507bhp@6800RPM
(E200 CDI) 2.2 Liter Inline-4 Diesel 134bhp@4500RPM
(E300 BlueTEC) 3.0 Liter V6 Diesel 208bhp@5000RPM
(E420 CDI) 4.0 Liter V8 Diesel 310bhp@3600RPM