With more power and better fuel economy, the 2012 Mercedes E-Class Sedan, Wagon, Coupe and Cabriolet models will benefit from two new engines.
The E 350 will still be equipped with a 3.5-litre V6, but the new engine will feature direct injection and multi-spark ignition as well as a 12.0:1 compression ratio (up from 10.5:1). The new V6 will produce 302 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, up from 268 hp and 258 foot-pounds in the outgoing 3.5L unit.
The E 550 will shed its smooth 5.5-litre V8 for a new twin-turbo, 4.6-litre V8. Smaller in displacement but adding blowers and direct injection, the new V8 will produce 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, up from 382 hp and 391 lb-ft. The new V8 will also use less fuel than the 5.5L unit.
The E-Class also gets a new 7-speed automatic transmission that, according to Mercedes-Benz, helps provide better fuel mileage, more responsive driving, quieter operation and increased durability. A new type of low-viscosity transmission fluid is used inside, which is coloured blue instead of the usual red.
The E 350 BlueTEC keeps its turbodiesel 3.0-litre V6 that develops 210 horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque, while the E 63 AMG will still be powered by its twin-turbo, 5.5-litre V8 with 518 or 550 horsepower.
