Although it's only been a week since the redesigned 2007 Mercedes E-Class was unveiled in New York, already Mercedes has begun their efforts to further entice prospective customers, today debuting a new sport package for the updated model.

So what exactly are the benefits if a customer opts for the sport package? Here's a quick rundown of the new features:

Outside, the most notable difference is the new AMG body styling, consisting of front and rear aprons. Also adding to the vehicles newfound sportiness is a set of five-spoke 18" AMG light alloy wheels.  A few more highlights include rear silencers, chrome oval AMG tailpipes, internally ventilated front brake discs and firmer suspension tuning.

But the fun doesn't stop on the E's exterior. Inside, a number of new features improve the E-Class' sporty factor as well.  A 7G-TRONIC Sport transmission complete with steering wheel shift paddles, an AMG ergonomic steering wheel, sport seats covered in ARTICO leather, stainless steel pedals and velour AMG floor mats all aim to add that extra bit of performance to your much-loved luxury sedan.

So how much is the sport package going to set you back? Available for all design and equipment line versions of the six and eight-cylinder petrol models and the six-cylinder diesels, pricing for the AMG sport package ranges from EUR 4611 to EUR 5365, including VAT at 16%. If you're interested, the sport package is scheduled to launch this June.

For more info, you can find photos as well as the full press release below. Enjoy.










OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


AMG sports package for the new-generation E-Class: Upgrade and even more dynamism for a bestseller

Affalterbach, Apr 19, 2006
Mercedes-AMG is making the new-generation E-Class even more dynamic. The new AMG sports package combines an array of appealing optional items (many of them not available on their own), such as AMG bodystyling, more sportily tuned suspension, special seats and the AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel.
AMG bodystyling includes a strikingly shaped AMG front apron with large cooling air inlets and chrome-ringed, oval fog lamps, as well as a powerful AMG rear apron featuring two oval, chromed AMG exhaust tailpipes. New rear silencers help to provide a rich engine note. Also included in the AMG sports package are sterling-silver-painted 8.5-inch and 9-inch-wide 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a classic five-spoke design, shod with 245/40 R 18 (front) and 265/35 R 18 (rear ) wide-base tyres. The 4MATIC models are fitted with 245/40 tyres on AMG 8.5 x 18 light-alloy wheels front and rear. Enhanced levels of handling dynamism are ensured by the more sporty suspension tuning on models with steel springs, speed-sensitive power-assisted steering and perforated front brake discs plus silver-painted brake callipers bearing Mercedes-Benz lettering.

Special seats providing better lateral support plus AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel

The AMG sports package's roll-call of impressive features is continued inside, with sporty and stylish combinations of colours and materials. Modified contouring of the special front seats means they give even better lateral support on fast bends. Upholstery in ARTICO man-made leather with colour-contrasting double topstitching lends the interior its own particular atmosphere. Further specification belonging to the AMG sports package includes the new, leather-covered AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel, the sports-look leather/aluminium selector lever, sports pedals made of brushed stainless steel with rubber studs, and velour floor mats with AMG lettering.

Models with automatic transmission come with the 7G-TRONIC Sport version. In manual mode "M" the gears can be changed using new steering-wheel shift paddles, while faster response and shift times add yet further to the pleasure of driving the car. In addition, acceleration times are also shortened by up to 0.2 seconds – for instance from 6.9 to 6.7 seconds in the case of the E 350, and from 5.1 to 4.9 seconds in the case of the E 500.

The AMG sports package at a glance:

Exterior:

• AMG bodystyling, consisting of front and rear aprons
  
  
• Rear silencers with a sporty engine note and chromed oval AMG exhaust tailpipes
  
  
• 5-spoke 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels, sterling-silver-painted
  
  
• Mixed-size tyres, 245/40 R 18 at the front and 265/35 R 18 at the rear (4MATIC models 245/40 R 18 front and rear)
  
  
• Silver-painted front brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering (except 4MATIC models)
  
  
• Internally ventilated, perforated front brake discs
  Sporty suspension tuning (in conj. with steel springs)
  

Interior:

• Sports seats covered in ARTICO man-made leather with contrasting double topstitching
  
  
• AMG ergonomic steering wheel with shift paddles (in conj. with automatic transmission)
  
  
• Speed-sensitive power steering
  
  
• 7G-TRONIC Sport with manual shift program and steering-wheel shift paddles (in conj. with automatic transmission)
  
  
• Sporty selector lever (in conj. with automatic transmission)
  
  
• Stainless steel pedals with black rubber studs
  
  
• Velour floor mats with AMG lettering

The AMG sports package is available for all design and equipment line versions of the six and eight-cylinder petrol models and the six-cylinder diesels, and can also be combined with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Prices for the AMG sports package range from € 4611 to € 5365 (incl. VAT at 16 %); the market launch is scheduled to start in June 2006.


Copyright © 2006, DaimlerChrysler AG