2000 MODEL YEAR MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS BOASTS NEW, CLK-INSPIRED FACE
Hundreds Of New Parts Make Up the 2000 E-Class Update
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Autoworld.com - David Lee - A fresh new face adorns the entire 2000 model E-Class range, along with many other design enhancements. Hundreds of revisions and changes to the
E-Class body and mechanical parts have been carried out. Get A Quick Quote Here The familiar, trend-setting twin headlamp face remains, though it is now freshened by a lower, sleeker, CLK-inspired front end. Also, Mercedes-Benz revised the front fenders to lower the headlights and position them at a sleeker angle. The E-Class interior has been upgraded as well, but not just cosmetically. Rather , function, feel, and a high-quality appearance led designers to a significant overhaul of the instrumentation, steering wheel, console and trim. Even the thickness of the headliner has been altered for better sound absorption and appearance. Mercedes-Benz hasn't ignored developing the E-Class technologically, either. The innovative Electronic Stability Program (ESP) is now standard across the E-Class range, as are curtain side airbags and door-mounted side airbags, now in all four doors. A multi-function steering wheel debuts, as does Touch Shift, allowing the driver to manually select any gear immediately. Mercedes' sophisticated 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system is now available on the E430 sedan, the first time 4MATIC has been mated to a Mercedes V8 driveline. The new TeleAid system provides both convenience and emergency services at the touch of one of three buttons through a special tubular connection. Mercedes Benz also now provides free required maintenance for the entire standard warranty period. Sculpting The New E-Class  Changes to the front end of the E-Class sedan and wagon first meet the eye. 1:he twin-headlamp design now presents a sleeker , tapered profile that borrows overall from and some specific cues from the striking CLK coupe. Bodywork updates include a 2-centimeter (0.8-inch) lower overall front end, a narrower grille, a more sloping hood line, seamless bumper integration below the headlights and revised lower air intakes and fog lights below the front bumper . Also, Mercedes-Benz revised the front fenders, allowing the headlights to be positioned 15 millimeters (0.6-in.) lower and raked back at a greater angle. Despite the open air scoops for front brake cooling, the E-Class drag coefficient remains at 0.29. These elements give the 2000 E-Class front end sportier appearance, but also a more cohesive one. Meanwhile, the E-Class profile bas been addressed with crisper , revised rocker panels, plus body-color side skirts and door handles. Side-view mirrors incorporate turn signal repeaters (already standard on the 2000 S-Class). Taillights are also revised with a new configuration to the dirt-repelling lens ribbing -long a Mercedes hallmark - and a high-gloss finish. The rear panel under the rear bumper bas been updated, and both front and rear bumpers themselves are now more fully integrated with the body. Interior Overhaul Goes With The Exterior Freshening While working on the 2000 E-Class skin, Mercedes simultaneously enhanced the E-Class interior. Even higher standards of materials, feel, and a quality appearance led designers to a significant redesign. The 2000 E-Class driver first notices the multi-function steering wheel. It operates both radio and telephone, allowing the driver to keep hands on the thick-rimmed steering wheel at all times. Beyond that, new instrument cluster uses a central display for the optional COMAND system, the standard-equipment stereo adjustments, plus odometer and trip computer information. Advances have been made in high quality materials throughout the interior. Improved leather upholstery is standard in all E-Class sedans. Among the detail changes are new door trim and center console wood grain, plus the addition of "coin-catcher" panels between the front seats and the center tunnel. Doors have reconfigured, softer armrests and insulated map pockets. Carpeting is thicker and headliners are softer to the touch and absorb more sound than before. Mercedes-Benz V6 And V8 Engines Establish Clean Power The E320 sedan and wagon are powered by a twin-spark three-valve-per-cylinder, 3.2-liter V6 that belts out 221 horsepower to move the sedan from 0-60 mph in just 7.1 seconds. This lightweight V6 engine uses a dual intake manifold, which helps it to produce 85 percent of its peak torque at just 2,000 rpm and sustain its maximum torque of 232 lbs.-ft. from 3,000-4,600 rpm for powerful midrange response.  The 4.3-1iter V8 powering the E430 comes from the same modular engine family as the V6, which also uses twin-spark-three-valve cylinder head architecture and dual-path intake technology . With a healthy 275 horsepower, the V8 can thrust the E430 from 0-60 mph in just 6.4 seconds. This engine sustains its 295 lbs-ft. maximum torque over a wide range from 3,000-4,400 rpm. Sequential fuel injection and electronic drive-by-wire throttle control ensure precise and progressive throttle response. The blistering E55 AMG ultra-high performance sports sedan tops the E-Class range, with a 5.5-liter, 349-hp V8 and an S-C1ass V12-model-sourced transmission. This driveline conspires to acceleratc the E55 AMG from 0-60 mph in just 5.4 seconds; a statistic more in line with a very fine sports car, not a generous and roomy luxury sedan. For 2000E-class models, free maintenance has been added to the four-year-50,000 mile warranty . Low operating costs are also ensured by a Flexible Service System (FSS), which uses an oil quality sensor to determine the optimal service interval. The minimum service interval is 10,000 miles; FSS will allow as much as 20,000 miles between oil changes. An instrument panel indicator tells the driver when service is due. Transmissions For Every Occasion A significant advance in automatic transmission operation is now standard on every E-Class, and it comes from the groundbreaking new 2000 S-Class. Touch Shift allows the driver to manually select all five gears by pushing the gear lever slightly left to downshift or right to upshift, all while in the Drive selector position. The gear indicator on the dash below the tachometer shows what gear is selected. It isn't necessary to move the lever to another gate or selector position. Also, though all five forward gears of the transmissions can be selected, computer control will prevent a downshift that would cause the engine to overrev. Once the driver has used Touch Shift to manually select a leaf, simply pressing and holding the lever to the right returns it to fully automatic Drive mode. In addition, the Mercedes Winter switch remains next to the shift lever on the selector. Winter mode engages second gear from a standstill and instructs the transmission to upshift at lower engine speeds enhancing traction in slick conditions. All E-Class models use the company's acclaimed electronic five-speed automatic transmission that not only adapts to changes in road grade but also complements an individual's driving style. For example, the transmission computer responds to leisurely driving with early, smooth upshifts for the best fuel efficiency . On the other band, a driver who requires frequent highway merging and dips heavily into the throttle will find the transmission holds high gear longer for quick acceleration. (The E55 AMG also gains Touch Shift, but uses an adaptation of the five-speed automatic transmission from the bigger S-Class.) 4MATIC All-Wheel-Drive System Tames Winter's Worst  For unparalleled grip in poor wead1er, the Mercedes-Benz E320 sedan and wagon and now the E430 sedan can be equipped with the innovative 4MATIC full-time all-wheel-drive. This is the first time 4MATIC has been offered on m V8-powered Mercedes. The 4MATIC system employs a 35/65-percent front/rear torque split and uses four-wheel electronic traction control to apportion torque distribution to individual wheels. Even if three wheels lose traction, the Mercedes 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system can divert power to one wheel, front or rear, left or right, to keep the E-Class moving. E-Class- Sets The Standard For Safety Mercedes-Benz pioneered such features as the safety cell body structure, anti-lock brakes, the supplemental restraint system (SRS) - traction control. All 2000 Mercedes-Benz passenger vehicles feature anti-lock brakes, full front airbags and door-mounted side airbags. Additionally, all 2000 model year E-C1ass occupants benefit from curtain side airbags that work in conjunction with the door-mounted side airbag help prevent bod1 front and rear passengers from hitting their heads on the side window or roof pillars in a severe side collision. These air-filled cushions can also block glass splinters or other objects that could cause injury in a side impact or rollover. Each curtain is over six feet long, 14 inches tall and about two inches thick. They deploy out of the ceiling in about 2S milliseconds, directly above the side windows, and extend across the front and rear windows. Tests by Mercedes-Benz with the curtain side airbags indicate about a 90 percent reduction in the forces likely to cause head injuries. All 2000 Mercedes models feature Brake Assist, the first system in the auto industry proven to reduce stopping distances in emergency braking situations. Brake Assist can detect an emergency or .'panic" stop by how quickly the brake pedal is applied and then, with lightning speed, apply full braking boost faster than a driver could. The BabySmart automatic child seat recognition is standard on every 2000 Mercedes-Benz model, deactivates the passenger-side front airbag in the presence of a BabySmart-compatible infant, toddler or child booster seat (available from Mercedes-Benz retailers). The extraordinary Electronic Stability Program (ESP), now standard on all E-Class models, detects an impending spin or slide and applies selective braking (braking one wheel, front or rear, left or right) to keep the car going on the driver's intended path. For safe driving in slippery conditions, ASR traction control is standard on all E-Class models. This sophisticated system detects when one rear wheel is spinning faster than the other and selectively applies the brake to that wheel to restore straight-line traction and stability . Combining ESP, ASR and anti-lock brakes in all E-Class models, Mercedes provides an extra measure of security in poor-weather driving. Tops In Luxury The lengthy list of standard features for all E-Class models leaves no doubt that these are luxury automobiles. Every E-Class has dual-zone climate control, I O-way power front seats and head restraints, a power tilt and telescoping steering column, three-position memory (for the front seats, mirrors and steering wheel), an integrated garage door opener and a high-performance eight-speaker cassette audio system. The standard stereo radio employs fiber-optic technology and integrates controls for the sound system and the optional telephone into one unit. A Bose premium sound system is standard on~ the E430 and E55, and is optional on the other models. Auto-dimming rear-view and driver's side mirrors make nighttime driving safer and more comfortable. In cold weather, the climate control can recirculate warm air through the interior for as long as 30 minutes while the car is parked. The unique Mercedes-Benz SmartKey remote locking/anti-theft system has no metal ignition key that could be illegally copied. Instead, the driver inserts the pointed tip of the key fob into the ignition slot and turns it. The infrared data exchange between the car and the remote unit electronically unlocks steering column and engages the starter motor. The code needed to unlock and start the car is changed each time the car is used. There are four E-Class models for 2000: the V6-powered E320 sedan, the E320 wagon, the V8 powered E430 sedan, and the high-performance E55. (The E300 has been discontinued. as its in-line six cylinder diesel engine doesn't clear the new E-Class lower hood line.) All E320 sedans and wagons receive new standard 7.5xl6-inch alloy wheels while all E430 sedans now get 7.5x17-inch alloys and 17-inch diameter tires standard, up from 7.5x16-inch wheels and 215/55R16 tires in 1999. An AMG-designed Sport package is available on E430 sedans, endowing them with even sharper handling thanks to 235/45ZRI7 tires mounted on machine-finished five-spoke alloy wheels. This package also features aerodynamic enhancements, including a deeper front air dam with integral foglamps, side skirts under the door sills and a deeper rear apron. All 2000 Mercedes-Benz models come with a four-year/50,000-mile warranty, which includes tires, batteries and adjustments for the full coverage period, plus free scheduled maintenance. In addition. d1e 24-hoor Mercedes-Benz Roadside Assistance program covers all Mercedes cars, regardless of model year . This peace of mind can include a free jump start, help in mounting a spare tire or providing a few gallons of fuel, even for those driving a decades-old Mercedes. |
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