Mercedes E250 BlueTEC and ML450 Hybrid Debut in New York - Plus Other New Models

i don't understand why they're using the 5 Speed auto for the regular E250 CDI and 7G-Tronic for the 250 CDI BlueTEC... why not just use the 7G-Tronic for the regular one as well? the E250 CDI would probably be the pick of the litter if it wasn't for the duff 5 speed gearbox that Merc really should replace

SLR is also using 5-speed :) it is durable and bulletproof

I doubt the lack of 7G-tronic in the normal models is for performance reasons: surely the 7G is also better at that, given it's larger number of gears, faster shift times and more advanced logic. I'm guessing it's merely a cost-related issue, that they intend to fix come next facelift and/or model year, in the smaller CGI models too. Also the V12 models using a five-speed tranny rely on it because the 7G isn't rated for that much torque/kw. I'm saying_A_tranny cause I doubt it has much to do with the 5-speed on the smallest engines. Principle/design perhaps, but in a much more durable package.

The E250 appears to be the tipping point at which South Korea moves above Germany in proficiency of designing luxury cars.