Mercedes Benz E350 Sports

• Standard Mbrace 2 telematics
• E400 Hybrid model debuts

Exterior Features
The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a midsize luxury sedan or station wagon offered in E350, E350 BlueTec, E400 Hybrid, and E550 model designations. The E350 and E350 BlueTec models are available in Luxury or Sport trim lines, while the E550 is offered only in Sport trim.

Standard equipment for the E350 Luxury includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED running lights, LED taillights, and rain-sensing wipers. The Sport trim is equipped with a no-cost Sport Styling package that includes larger 18-inch aluminum wheels, sport-tuned suspension, and modified styling.

Interior Features
The Mercedes-Benz E350 and E350 BlueTec come standard with leatherette upholstery, 14-way power front seats with memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, power sunroof, HD Radio, Bluetooth hands-free calling and music streaming, and Mbrace 2 telematics.

The E350 Wagon adds standard 4Matic all-wheel drive, power liftgate, reversing camera, load-leveling rear suspension, and a rear-facing third-row seat that's stowed under the cargo floor. When this seat is deployed, the E-Class Wagon can carry 7 passengers.

The E550 4Matic Sedan adds leather, heated front seats, sport steering wheel, 18-inch AMG-design alloy wheels, and 4Matic all-wheel drive to the E350 Sedan.

Optional Features
Options for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class models include leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats, multi-contour front seats with massage, heated steering wheel, and a wood-and-leather steering wheel. Additionally, the E-Class can be upgraded with a panoramic sunroof, 115-volt power outlet, rear-seat entertainment system, front and rear park-assist sensors, reversing camera, Mercedes-Benz Apps services, and Mbrace Plus telematics service.

Several option packages are also offered for the E-Class. The Premium 1 package includes a hard-drive navigation system with enhanced voice control, music server with a Gracenote media database, premium surround-sound system with satellite radio and an iPod interface, heated front seats, rearview camera (Sedan), power rear sunshade (Sedan), and rear side window shades (Wagon).

The Premium 2 package includes the Premium 1 package features plus bi-xenon headlights with Active Curve Illumination, Adaptive Highbeam Assist, LED front turn signal indicators, front cornering lights, headlamp washers, Keyless Go keyless access and push-button ignition, and a power trunk closer (Sedan).

A Lane Tracking package offers blind-spot information and lane-departure warning systems, while the Driver Assistance package groups active versions of those technologies with Distronic Plus and Pre-Safe Brake. The NightView Assist Plus with Pedestrian Detection system is also optional, helping the driver to \"see\" the road ahead after nightfall.

Under the Hood
The E350 Sedan and Wagon models are powered by a direct-injection, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that generates 302 horsepower at 6, 000 rpm and 273 lb.-ft. of torque between 3, 500 rpm and 5, 250 rpm. A 7-speed automatic transmission drives the rear wheels, or, in the case of 4Matic models, all four wheels. Paddle shifters are standard.

A turbo diesel engine is installed in the E350 BlueTec Sedan, a 3.0-liter V-6 that generates 210 horsepower at 3, 800 rpm and 400 lb.-ft. of torque between 1, 600 rpm and 2, 400 rpm. A 7-speed automatic transmission delivers the power to the rear wheels, and the turbo diesel engine meets emissions regulations in all 50 states.

The new E400 Hybrid Sedan combines the V-6 engine from the E350 model with a 27-horsepower electric assist motor, Lithium-ion battery, and Eco Start/Stop technology. The powertrain features low-speed operation on battery power alone, and a \"sailing\" function on the highway.

The E550 Sedan features a direct-injection, twin-turbocharged, 4.6-liter V-8 engine generating 402 horsepower between 5, 000 rpm and 5, 750 rpm and 443 lb.-ft. of torque from 1, 800 rpm to 4, 750 rpm. A 7-speed automatic transmission and 4Matic all-wheel drive are standard equipment.
Fuel Economy
EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan and Wagon are:

Safety
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is equipped with 9 air bags, traction and stability control systems, and Pre-Safe technology that readies the vehicle for a collision by preparing safety systems, closing the sunroof and windows, and properly positioning the front seats just prior to impact.