When it comes to saloon cars, Mercedes Benz has produced some of the real classics of our times. They are always pushing innovations into their vehicles, and this is perhaps best shown in the leaps forward in their family range. First up for analysis is the 220E. This might look humble on the outside, but think about what it's representing. Launched in 1959, in took on board the 'futuristic' notions of American manufacturing with outlandish fins, but retained European chic and efficiency. The first run sold around two thousand units, which isn't a bad debut for the time.
While this might not receive the same spread of media attention - against the more eye catching sports ranges - it's where the real heart of the motor industry lies. A good example of this commitment is in one of Mercedes Benz' big early successes: the 220SE. This were exactly what you'd expect from a sixties classic, fusing American style fins with the smooth running of a German engine. They look like the classic getaway car.
The 250SE doesn't mince words when it comes to what a family car of the sixties should be. This frankly ugly design, with fat, square fronted headlights, long hood, and rectangular grill, shows that big and strong-looking was what reassured buyers of the time. It certainly seems to have paid off for Mercedes, as the car had a run of over ten years, being one of the few models to make it from the fifties right through to the early seventies.
When you get closer to the present day there's a clear shift in design. The harsh lines are replaced by curves, and weighty solidness is deferred in favour of light-weight, safety conscious materials. This is perhaps best shown in the W221 range, better known as the current E class saloons. When these were released in the 2007 they brought with them safety advances that are still way ahead of the times, such as collision predicting seatbelts.
You could describe the E63 AMG as the final form of the E class to date. Like the Q car of 1967, this is about showing off what you can do with a saloon body. In this case a supercharged engine gives rise to speeds of over two hundred miles per hour. It can also do nought to sixty in a not to shabby 4.3 seconds, so that's definitely not your average saloon experience.
While this might not receive the same spread of media attention - against the more eye catching sports ranges - it's where the real heart of the motor industry lies. A good example of this commitment is in one of Mercedes Benz' big early successes: the 220SE. This were exactly what you'd expect from a sixties classic, fusing American style fins with the smooth running of a German engine. They look like the classic getaway car.
The 250SE doesn't mince words when it comes to what a family car of the sixties should be. This frankly ugly design, with fat, square fronted headlights, long hood, and rectangular grill, shows that big and strong-looking was what reassured buyers of the time. It certainly seems to have paid off for Mercedes, as the car had a run of over ten years, being one of the few models to make it from the fifties right through to the early seventies.
When you get closer to the present day there's a clear shift in design. The harsh lines are replaced by curves, and weighty solidness is deferred in favour of light-weight, safety conscious materials. This is perhaps best shown in the W221 range, better known as the current E class saloons. When these were released in the 2007 they brought with them safety advances that are still way ahead of the times, such as collision predicting seatbelts.
You could describe the E63 AMG as the final form of the E class to date. Like the Q car of 1967, this is about showing off what you can do with a saloon body. In this case a supercharged engine gives rise to speeds of over two hundred miles per hour. It can also do nought to sixty in a not to shabby 4.3 seconds, so that's definitely not your average saloon experience.