Solid, safe, understated, competent and quick continue a worldwide best-seller series.

Advanced safety and control technology is featured on the roomy world car from Mercedes, the E-Class sedan, which is completely new for 2010. Also new is a two-door coupe version of the popular E-Class. The new car looks entirely different from the 2009 sedan and wagon it replaces with arched bodylines that lead to a sloping front end.

A wagon variant is coming, but won’t be on sale until early in 2011. As before, V6 and V8 versions of the E-Class models are available, both using seven-speed automatic transmissions to power the rear wheels. 4MATIC all-wheel drive is optional on the sedans. The E350 (MSRP $48,600) is the V6 coupe and sedan, and the E550 (MSRP $56,300) is the V8 coupe and sedan. The 3.5-liter V6 produces 268 hp while the 5.5-liter V8 makes 382 hp. An E63 AMG version of the sedan, powered by an AMG racing division, hand-built, 518-hp 6.3-liter V8, is the flagship of the E-Class and has an MSRP of $85,750.

This ninth generation of the iconic E-Class sedan is a powerful and luxurious technological marvel that redefines the future of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. It’s fast, too. The 5.5-liter V8 will move the E550 to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds using the standard seven-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy with this transmission is 15 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the EPA highway test.

Class-leading standard safety features are abundant and include dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front and rear curtain-style head-protection airbags, the industry-leading PRE-SAFE® collision avoidance and mitigation system, Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, rollover sensors, antilock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) and much more.

Both the new E-Class sedan and coupe have a supple, non-intrusive ride. E350 sedans offer an AGILITY CONTROL sport suspension with selective damping; E550 sedans offer the AIRMATIC semi-active air suspension with Sport and Comfort modes. The major difference between the suspensions of the E350 and E550 models is automatic air springs on the larger-engine E-Class. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension is also featured on E350 coupes. E550 coupes feature the Dynamic Handling Suspension. Mercedes has been improving its E-Class steering systems and the new generation is faultless—responsive and communicative, yet not heavy. A lane recognition and warning system will tell the driver when the car is leaving the lane with a little buzz on the steering wheel.

DISTRONIC PLUS with PRE-SAFE is available as an option, which pre-loads the braking system if it detects a slow vehicle ahead. It will apply up to 40 percent of the braking to alert the driver that deceleration is necessary. In addition, it will also apply maximum braking should the driver not use enough force on the brake system. If this radar-based system senses an impending collision, it will apply maximum braking to help reduce the severity of the crash.

Optional is more sophisticated front lighting featuring Active Curve Illumination and Adaptive Highbeam Assist, an automatically adjusting high beam system. The headlight beam changes its aim to fill in the darkness ahead without blinding oncoming traffic. A camera mounted in the front of the car watches for oncoming traffic and determines how far ahead it is, gradually reducing the range of the high beams as the traffic gets closer.

The basic platform of the new E-Class uses a hybrid front strut and link suspension, and a rear multi-link, as well as a stiff but light structure. Even with all the sophisticated equipment, the E-Class remains well below 4,000 pounds.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class is so technologically advanced that it’s almost approaching the time when it may just drive itself. Until then, it’s waiting for you.