The Mercedes-Benz E-Class and its predecessors are representatives of a unique tradition in the automotive luxury and intermediate categories. The technical innovation and elegant design behind the successful model series had significant impact on the whole segment.

The E-Class’s heritage dates back to the very early days of the brand. At the turn of the 20th century, Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) brought out the Mercedes-Simplex 28/32 hp in 1904, while Benz & Cie. launched its 24/40 hp model in 1906.


1904 Mercedes-Simplex 28/32


1906 Benz & Cie. 24/40

Following the merger between the two companies in 1926 to form Daimler-Benz AG, the model portfolio was completely restructured. The first passenger cars to emerge under the new brand name Mercedes-Benz included the 8/38 hpmodel (W 02) of 1926, which was known from 1928 onwards as the Mercedes-Benz 8/38 hp Stuttgart 200. Like the 10/50 hp Stuttgart 260 (W 11) of 1928, it can be considered a predecessor to the E-Class, which was officially named as such in 1993. The same is also true of the models that followed it in the 1930s, the types 200 (1933) and 230 (1936), along with the diesel variant 260 D (W 138, 1936) – the world’s first passenger car with a diesel engine.


Mercedes-Benz 8/38 hp Stuttgart 200


1938 260 D (W 138)

After the Second World War, the 1947 version of model 170 V was the first post-war Mercedes-Benz passenger car. The 180 model (W 120) of 1953 with self-supporting “Ponton” body introduced new technical as well as formal features. It was followed in 1961 by the four-cylinder version of the “Fintail” model series (W 110). The next major step came seven years later in the form of the “Stroke8” (model series W 115/114). The first coupé model was introduced at the same time. In 1976, the 123 series was introduced, which included an estate version.


1961 W 110


1974 W 115 series 240 D

The 124 series was introduced in 1984 and stayed in production until 1995, this generation was also available as a four-seater cabriolet, and for the first time, called the E-Class since mid-1993.


W 124 Coupé

The next generation of E-Class, the 210 model series was launched in 1995, followed by the 211 series in early 2002. Model ranges 212 (Saloon and Estate) and 207 (Cabriolet and Coupé) was introduced in 2009, and the 213 series E-Class was brought to the market in 2016.


1995 W 210 E 220 D


2002 W 211 AMG Estate


2009 W 212


2016 W 213

In the current drive to produce more efficient passenger cars, Mercedes-Benz introduced new E-Class models with hybrid versions in March, 2020.


2020 W 213 E53 Saloon


2020 W 213 E53 Estate