Mercedes-Benz makes new E-Class more efficient

• The new E-Class has been made more efficient
• It comes in five models
• E-Class is Mercedes-Benz%27 second biggest selling model

DETROIT -- Mercedes-Benz rolled out its family of E-Class midsize vehicles here at the North American International Auto Show today with an emphasis on efficiency.

While it still has a choice of four-, six- and eight-cylinder engines, they will come variously in gas, diesel and hybrid versions. To make them more efficient, the new E-Class will have technology such as direct fuel injection and the ability to shut off at stoplights. The multiple engine choices reflect that the midsize is the brand's most popular model after the smaller C-Class.

The E-Class comes as a sedan, wagon, cabriolet and coupe. Throw in the high-performance AMG version, and that makes five. At the low end, engine power starts at 190 horsepower and goes up to 577 horsepower in the AMG version.

"We are really rolling out five cars with five distinctive personalities," says Dieter Zetsche, boss of Mercedes' parent Daimler in Germany.

It looks different, too. It has a new front-end design with new headlights. For the driver, there's use of Mercedes' safety systems aimed at preventing accidents with other cars or pedestrians and helping to keep the car in its lane. In an era when all the talk is about cars that can drive themselves, Mercedes says the new E-Class is a step in the right direction.

"The new E-Class paves the way to more autonomous driving," Zetsche says.