To be more specific, the overall length of the luxury car (taking into account the roomier rear legroom and the wheelbase) increased by 5.5 inches or 14 cm. Consumers also noted that the front seats can be controlled from the rear.

Again, reviewers aren’t sure if this is such a good thing. One thing’s for sure though—it’s not a good idea to have pranksters and naughty little kids into the secret.

The ground clearance of the car has also increased significantly for this model, thanks to Mercedes’ Agility Control suspension system. A Mercedes car wouldn’t be a Mercedes car without safety features, and the ones included in this model are the sleep alert system and the PRE-SAFE technology.

The mechanics under the hood also make for a pretty smooth drive, despite the less than spectacular external design alterations. The car will be available to consumers in two 540-liter variations. One is the 260-CGI BlueEFFICIENCY which produces 150kW/204hp and the E300 which produces 180kW/245 hp. This is, to date, the smallest turning circle for this model class. Take note that the E 260 AVANTEGARDE also comes with an electronic, panoramic sliding sunroof, rear seat entertainment system, thermatic air conditioning system, and a keyless-GO electronic drive authorization system with remote boot closing.

The car will be using the Bluetec diesel system with a technology for hybrid systems that they developed with BMW. The one on display in Geneva has a diesel four 2.2L with twin turbochargers. This powerplant can output an excellent 204 horsepower.

The same engine is featured at the 2011 E250 Bluetec that took spotlight at the 2009 New York Auto Show. The fuel mileage of the powerplant is estimated to be 39 mpg while cruising on the highway and 29 mpg while on the city streets.

The electric motor and lithium ion battery installed on the E300 hybrid are similar to the configuration used by the 2010 S400 Hybrid that kicked off sales last year.

The drivetrain of the E300 will only be a mild hybrid. This means that the car’s electric motor will only boost the power of the combustion engine and will be utilized to restart the car from full stops. The E300 will not be capable of running pure electric like the Toyota Prius – but it’s a hybrid car none the less.

The mild hybrid setup will not really be an issue. Initial tests show that the fuel economy is pegged at 57 mpg based on the combined cycle in Europe. This translates to a CO2 emission of about 109 grams per kilometer.

There is no need to worry though if you are hoping for more green cars in the market. There are several European car producers that are on the race to come up with the technology as early as 2011. French carmaker Citroen promised to use a diesel-hybrid engine with their new baby the DS5 but this will have to wait until 2011.

Mercedes-Benz was able to step on the pedal and may hit their goal. Mercedes Benz will be able to deliver a hybrid diesel-electric vehicle and also launch a version of the technology through the E-Class before the end of the year. Deliveries of the hybrid units will start by the first months of 2011.

The E-Class hybrid will be labeled E300 Hybrid and will be depending on a 2.2L 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine paired to a lithium ion electric motor. This engine is also used by the E250 Bluetec running on diesel.

The E300 hybrid will only be on a mild hybrid configuration. This means that the car cannot really run on a full electric mode but the electric motor is just used to boost the power of the combustion engine and restarting the vehicle from a stop. The fuel consumption though is still very good and will be more than 50mpg.

The components of the Mercedes-Benz hybrid will be similar in configuration with the S400 Hybrid. The S400 is doing well in the local German market with makes up 15% of the sales figures of the S-Class. The modular platform being followed by the carmaker allows the sharing of the components of their different units. Diesel hybrid configuration is also being planned for the GL, ML, and GLK SUV.

The brand new Mercedes is a symbol of its evolution from the old CLK model not only in its line name but also in its handling and structure that clearly support E-class sedan revealed only recently.

The luxury car company aims to drive the E-class coupe farther up from the present CLK model. This move allows Mercedes room to introduce the C-class coupe at the lower end of their line.

The E-class coupe’s exterior is inspired by the E-class sedan. Both models have the outstanding grille design, greenhouse minus the pillars, and frameless doors. The E-class coupe gets twin trapezoid-shaped headlights and a clamshell hood. Mercedes said that the arch-flames at the rear wheels represent the style of the Ponton Mercedes that was famous in 1953. Although its interior is quite similar with the E-class sedan, the E-class coupe places its emphasis in quality posh materials and the latest automobile gadgetry like the COMAND controller.

Ironically, the E-class coupe is more advanced that its predecessors but it bears more of the classic Mercedes elegance. Likewise, it will serve as the basis for the much-awarded E-class convertible that will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September. The E-class convertible is assumed to reach the US market in 2010.

The car will not be for public viewing during the Detroit Auto Show but will be on spotlight during the Geneva Motor Show in March. Some are assuming that it will also be on display in New York come April.

The new E Class is scheduled to be on sale this summer in the United States.

The U.S. release will have their engines DNA pulled from the power plant of the E350 that outputs around 268 horsepower. There is also the adaptation from the E550 V8 engine that has 382 horsepower.

The 4MATIC version and the E63 AMG will not be out during the launch but will follow later this year. Same is true for the E350 Blue TEC that runs on diesel due for release in 2010.

Due to incompatibility with the high sulfur contents of the U.S. unleaded gasoline, the new-direct injection technology cannot be applied to the new Mercedes engines.

The car gets its styling cue from the Ponton Mercedes which was famous during the early ‘50s. The new E class will have an arch treatment for the rear wheel and rectangular headlamps.

There are also design highlights when one enters the car. Luxury is further emphasized by the ambient lighting, COMANd controller, and repackaged shifter.

The 2010 E class will also be equipped with the Attention Assist that detects the drowsiness of drivers. It will also have High Beam Assist and Lane Keeping Assist. Drivers will also have further aid with the Blind Spot Assist and a technology which highlights pedestrians on the car’s central display system.

The interior though, is an absolute winner.  It must be one of the best interiors I’ve ever seen on a middle-class (even though luxurious) car, period. If the Benz-people keep this interior it’s going to score a lot of points, and get a lot of other people to not buy a beemer…

Looking good on the inside, doesn’t it?