Mercedes-Benz unveiled the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which goes on sale next month, at the Brussels Motor Show.

The new E-Class will be in the showrooms of Mercedes-Benz dealerships and company-owned sales and service outlets throughout Europe from mid-March.

The German car-maker says the car will contain a number of technological advances including the electrohydraulic braking system Sensotronic Brake Control.

A 'multicontour' seat which automatically adapts to the current driving situation and an enhanced air suspension system also make their debut.

The striking twin headlamps, with which the E-Class first made its mark in 1995 to initiate a design trend, have been redesigned and slightly angled back, characterising the progressive, dynamic appearance of the front-end.

Mercedes says the new E-Class shows its dynamic character with outstanding agility, sportscar-like handling and superb cornering.

Mercedes-Benz also says it has increased ride comfort with an air suspension system, which uses state-of-the-art microelectronics to control both springing and damping.

Sensors monitor the road condition, driving style and loading of the saloon, ensuring that the system always selects the best possible shock absorber and spring settings. In this way the new system resolves the previous conflict of aims between near-perfect suspension comfort and excellent handling dynamics, thereby meeting very varied customer requirements. This air suspension is standard equipment in the top-of-the-range E 500 V8 model, and is available for all other models in the new E-Class as an optional extra.

In addition to adaptive front airbags the new E-Class is for the first time equipped with two-stage belt force limiters and automatic weight classification for the front passenger. These systems provide occupant protection which is even more precise and adapted to the specific accident situation.

Sidebags for the front seat occupants, large windowbags, high-performance belt tensioners, automatic child seat recognition and a rollover sensor are further components of the standard safety features.