With its short and precise shift lever throws the 6-speed manual transmission allows for fast gear changes and dynamic driving with economical consumption figures. The 6-speed manual transmission is standard equipment in the E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY. In addition it improves ride comfort as gear spacing, the rear axle ratio and engine output are precisely tuned to one another.
From June 2010, the 6-speed manual transmission with ECO start/stop function will be available for the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY. This function reduces the vehicle’s fuel consumption and emission levels by switching off the engine when the vehicle is at a standstill or coasting to a stop. The new operating logic enables the engine to restart automatically as soon as the driver depresses the clutch pedal fully.

The 5-speed automatic transmission with Touchshift comes as standard in the E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY and is available as an option for the E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. It provides extremely smooth gear changes for improved comfort. At the touch of a button you can select between two driving programmes which allow you to electronically control the transmission characteristics and the shift points – for a fuel-efficient or sporty driving style.

In the 6-cylinder and 8-cylinder models, the standard-specification 7G-TRONIC automatic transmission changes gear for you. Thanks to the smaller engine speed changes, the best possible ratio can be maintained at all times. This has the effect of reducing fuel consumption and optimising acceleration, with smoother transitions between the gears at the same time. When shifting down through the gears, 7G-TRONIC’s direct multiple downshift principle allows it to skip individual gears, making for faster gear changes.

For even sportier progress, you can also operate the 5-speed automatic transmission or 7G-TRONIC with steering-wheel shift paddles, which are included as part of the optional extras of the AMG sports package and dynamic handling package for automatic models (standard for E 500). The two side-mounted buttons behind the wheel permit rapid upshifts and downshifts for even more driving pleasure. As another special feature, keeping the downshift steering wheel gearshift paddle pressed in automatically engages the best gear for rapid acceleration.