Global News: Austrian Automobile Association Awards Car of The Year to Mercedes E-Class

The Austrian Automobile Association (ARBÖ) has presented its "2009 Car of the Year" award to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, choosing the successful luxury saloon as Austria's favourite premium car.

For the 26th time, the Austrian Automobile Association (ARBÖ) asked a renowned jury of experts and readers of the ARBÖ club journal Freie Fahrt to choose Austria's favourite car. Candidates are assessed based on criteria such as technical perfection, design, economy, reliability, safety, eco-friendliness and value for money. In the premium category, the jury and readers chose the Mercedes-Benz E-Class as the clear winner with 177 out of a possible 195 points.

The coveted Austrian Car of the Year Award 2009, presented by the Austrian Automobile Association (ARBÖ), is Austria's premier car award.

Impressive attributes of the E-Class include its dynamic design, innovative technology, exemplary comfort, outstanding safety and economy. Not least thanks to highly efficient powerplants. The E 250 CDI, for example, develops 150 kW (204 hp), boasts a peak torque of 500 Nm and delivers excellent performance whilst consuming just 5.3 litres per 100 km (combined NEDC consumption figure), equivalent to 139 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The E-Class is equipped with a unique combination of driver assistance systems such as drowsiness detection, Adaptive Highbeam Assist and proximity control with automatic emergency braking, which is activated when an acute accident risk is detected. What's more, the E-Class offers outstanding long-distance comfort.

These traits are shared by the other members of the successful premium car family – the E-Class Coupé and the E-Class Estate – the latter having just become the third body variant to arrive on the forecourts at dealerships.

Credits: wilswong