Mercedes-Benz’s UK unit is looking to make up lost ground in the fleet market with the launch of the E-class estate (wagon) next January, reinforcing the saloon (sedan) range which took to UK roads earlier this year.
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E-class product manager Nick Williams said the luxury estate segment of the fleet market for sportier models with manual transmissions was “opening up”, although Mercedes, he admitted, had not had a compelling offer.
Now it has. “We have already seen a steady increase in sales of the E-class saloon, particularly the sports model, and we will now be bringing in estate models with the latest manual transmissions supported by technologies such as handbrake hold and hill start assist.
“We will also have sports estates with the E500 available from launch and the E63 AMG joining the range in March next year.”
He added: “As far as the fleet sector is concerned, manual transmission is critical for us. Around 40% of Audi and BMW sales in the segment are manuals – ours is just 2%. I want to push that into double figures as soon as possible. There is a tremendous opportunity for us.”
Mercedes will also make its presence felt with higher specification levels, the largest cargo area in the class – ahead of even the Volvo V70 estate – and lower prices than Audi and BMW.
Williams said: “We have still to confirm prices but we are looking at a premium of around GBP2,000 on average over the saloon models.”
Current E-class sales in the UK, 2,000 last year and 4,200 in its best year in 2004, are split 50-50 between fleet and retail. At the two key German rivals, corporate sales account for closer to 70%.
Williams added: “In terms of growth, fleet is key – so manuals, lower C02 [emissions] and pricing will be key. We hope to be around 4% cheaper than Audi or BMW.”
The UK E-class estate model range will consist of SE, Avantgarde and Sport trim levels. UK launch engines will include two diesels, the 170bhp E220CDI and 204bhp E250CDI and three petrol units, the 204bhp E250, 292bhp E350 – all developed under Mercedes’ BlueEFFICIENCY programme aimed at reducing engine displacement, improving aerodynamics and cutting weight – plus the 387bhp E500.
As well as the upcoming AMG E63 model, further engines will include the E200 petrol I4 in February and the E350 BlueTec petrol V6 next June.
Currently diesels account for 94% of E-class estate sales.
In terms of practicality and equipment, the UK-specification E-class is ‘loaded’, including an electrically-operated tailgate, a flexible load compartment with a fast folding system to flatten the rear seats at the push of a button. Self-leveling air rear suspension is also standard.
Fascinating facts from the engineers on the launch in Germany: The longest plank that can fit in the car is 3200x300x30mm while one also claimed he squeezed 68 crates of wine into the back.
There are also some interesting options for the cargo area including innovative storage and securing systems, plus available (rear facing) third row seats to turn the car into a full seven-seater.
The estate also comes with all the technical innovations first introduced on the E-class saloon including: attention assist to keep the driver alert, blind spot indicators on the door mirrors, lane assist, plus systems to aid night driving, including pedestrian recognition.
