2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W211) 500 V8 5AT RWD (306 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The third Mercedes-Benz generation to be officially named E-Class was launched in 2002, and it improved on the success of its predecessors while looking more like an evolution of the W210. Despite the traditional design, it was a technological tour de force at its introduction, with several technological breakthroughs appearing on the model.

A few months before its official unveiling, the E-Class W211 was previewed in the Men in Black II movie, with the two agents driving a Sci-Fi version of the model. Speaking of design, Mercedes-Benz went the other way compared to its direct rivals at BMW, who decided to go for a revolution instead of an evolution of the traditional 5 Series design language, launched a few months after the E-Class W211.

As expected, the W211 was available in sedan and station wagon guises, with its platform costing around 2 billion euros ($2.2 billion). With such a large investment, costs were recuperated by using it on the first-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS and as a foundation for the platforms used by Chrysler LX cars, such as the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Challenger, and Magnum.

The front end evolved from the twin-headlight design introduced by its predecessor, while the rear featured triangular taillights similar in look to those found on other Mercedes-Benz models in the early 2000s. The model’s profile was another case of the horizontal homogeneity design language. In other words, nobody could mistake the model for anything other than a Mercedes-Benz from the distance.

In non-AMG versions, the exterior and interior were available with three trim lines: Classic, Elegance, and Avantgarde. As another first, the W211 was the first E-Class to be equipped with two windshield wipers instead of one since the W124, albeit this was more of a cost-reduction move than an innovation.

Inside, passengers were greeted with plenty of space and, depending on options and trim level, could be engulfed by sumptuous leather upholstery, multi-contour seats, and an assortment of wood and aluminum inserts. On the other hand, the Comand infotainment system was slightly less advanced than the iDrive system found on its rival from BMW, which was launched not long after.

Probably the biggest technological innovations on the model were represented by the electrohydraulic SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control) system and the dual control air suspension system, called Airmatic DC, which was standard on the E 500 and optional on other models.

Under the hood, customers could choose between a wide array of powertrain options, including both gasoline and diesel choices. Everything from a four-cylinder to a big V8 via six-cylinder engines was available, with the top-of-the-range AMG model being powered by a supercharged V8. Whether you were an economy or comfort-minded driver or a performance enthusiast, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W211 engine lineup could have you covered.

The model also had advanced safety features, including adaptive cruise control, active head restraints, up to 11 airbags, and the Pre-Safe system, which could anticipate potential collisions and prepare the vehicle’s active safety systems accordingly.