Mercedes-Benz Previews Revamped 2014 E-Class Ahead of Detroit Debut

HAVERHILL, MASS. (12/20/2012)(readMedia)-- Typically, a car's mid-cycle refresh will include small tweaks to its styling, drivetrains and interior, but Mercedes-Benz appears unwilling to settle for simple updates to its E-Class vehicles. Signaling the competitiveness of the midsize luxury sedan segment, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class features completely restyled front and rear fascias, more-efficient engines and new safety technology.

Signs of Mercedes-Benz's urgency to push the envelope in the segment include the new driver-assistance systems, which were originally slated to debut on the next generation of the flagship S-Class, but will instead first grace the 2014 E-Class. Among those available new technologies will be DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist, which includes an adaptive cruise control that can automatically keep the vehicle centered between the lane markers. Drivers will also benefit from the new BAS PLUS with Cross Traffic Assist, which can detect imminent collisions with other vehicles or pedestrians and deploy more braking power to prevent or mitigate the impact.

"Most automakers would save the debut of game-changing technologies for an all-new model, but Mercedes-Benz recognizes that each time it delivers a car to a dealership, today's buyers are expecting nothing but the best," said James Buckley, general manager of Smith Motor Sales, a Haverhill, MA Mercedes-Benz dealer. "If you also consider the added drivetrain options and new sophisticated styling, then the 2014 E-Class is really closer to a full redesign than it is to a mid-cycle refresh."

Debuting at the Detroit Auto Show in January, ahead of its arrival at dealers next spring, the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class wears cleaner design lines with smoother edges on the hood and front bumper, and a smooth, flat fender design that replaces the previous Ponton-style fender flares. Under the hood, buyers will still have gas-powered V6 and V8 options, as well as a hybrid option, but they will also be able to choose a new fuel-efficient 2.1-liter BlueTEC diesel engine that will output 190 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque when it becomes available next fall.

Even with a heavily revised model waiting in the wings, the current E-Class was the second-best-selling Mercedes-Benz model at U.S. dealerships last month, moving 8,126 units for a 60 percent increase year-over-year. Those rapid sales helped the overall lineup reach its best November ever, with 30,315 models sold. Leading the charge for Mercedes-Benz was the entry-level C-Class at 8,565 units, while the M-Class, selling 3,894 units, was the luxury brand's top-selling SUV.

Beyond its strong sales stateside, the Mercedes-Benz M-Class recently gained a very special customer in the Vatican, as a model was customized to become the latest Popemobile. Featuring an updated dome with larger bulletproof panels, easier access for the pontiff and roof lights highlighting the throne of Pope Benedict XVI, the new Mercedes-Benz Popemobile is designed to transport His Holiness with the utmost safety and comfort.

"Only vehicles of the highest quality are fit for a figure like the pope, which is why Mercedes-Benz has supplied models to the Vatican since 1930," noted Buckley. "Luckily, you don't have to be a spiritual leader to own an M-Class, and the SUV is just as well suited for conquering snowy commutes as it is for greeting thousands of devout followers."

About Smith Motor Sales:

For more than 75 years, Smith Motor Sales has brought Mercedes-Benz ownership to customers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Smith Motor Sales has remained an elite Mercedes-Benz dealer throughout the years through its commitment to customer service and its wide selection of new and used Mercedes-Benz vehicles, as well as its expert service and parts staff. Browse their inventory online at www.smithmercedesdealer.com, stop by their showroom at 420 River Street in Haverhill, Massachusetts, like them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SmithMercedes, or reach them by phone at 978-372-2552.