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Mercedes-Benz models, news & reviews
4
Handling
Performance
Usability
5
Feelgood factor
Readers' rating
2.5
By Georg Kacher
First Drives
06 March 2009 10:19
Overlook worldwide recession and the automotive market place is primed for the launch of Mercedes’ new E-class. BMW’s 5-series feels old and outdated (it’ll be replaced in less than 12 months time) while Audi’s A6, despite (or perhaps because of) a minor facelift late last year, doesn’t feel particularly new either.
So it’s an open net for Mercedes then, but has the new E-class got the skills to slot home the winner? All the ingredients look good – the C-class shows Merc is back on form and the new E-class promises more of what the current car does well (cavernous interior space, a smooth ride and lots of safety gear), while also chasing down the 5-series for driver involvement and the A6 for its fit and finish. Read on for our full first drive to see whether the new Mercedes E-class delivers.
Not computer generated imagery, that’s for sure. CGI is Merc-speak for the direct-injection system on its petrol engines. And alongside the CGI technology, all E-classes are BlueEfficiency-equipped, the Swabians' term for its eco-friendly tweaks that include low rolling resistance tyres, active aerodynamics and energy-saving control of the fuel-pump, alternator and air conditioning system.
It’s just a pity that on the road the 3.5-litre V6 doesn’t feel as punchy as the figures of 288bhp and 269lb ft would suggest. Why? Because you really need to rev this six-cylinder above 4500rpm to get the best out of it, but in doing so you enter a realm of noise that you wouldn’t normally associate with a Mercedes.
But this engine’s saviour is the standard (of course) seven-speed automatic. It doesn’t slur or jolt at low speeds and full-bore upshifts are almost imperceptible – it’s a brilliant gearbox. And it helps the E350 CGI turn in 33.2mpg and 199g/km
You’ll discover that Mercedes has finally arrived at the handling party, and that the new E is so good you’ll actually want to retrace your tyretracks. That’s not something we would have said of the old car.
Mercedes’ sport-biased Direct Steering is now weightier and more direct, with no lifeless play around the straight-ahead. And the Direct Control dampers nicked from the C-class automatically stiffen when needed, yet the ride quality this Mercedes manages is surely enough to make it a class-leader – and that’s without air suspension. You can go hard, or cruise along, and the E will excel at both.
>> Click 'Next' below to read more of Georg Kacher's Mercedes E-class first drive
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ema02 says
RE: Mercedes E350 CGI (2009) CAR review
The innovations added to the E-class are really impressive. They have been from being green to being blue and they're still rocking! I also admire the built-in energy control on the fuel pump which is just awesome in that it helps you save a lot!
16 December 2009 06:07
Kiyoshi says
I used to have a Mercedes-Benz 260E(W124) from 1992 to 2008. It had rock-solid build, engine rather sleepy but with train-like strong torque, and somewhat dull yet predictable handling. Her engine yielding just 166bhp(124kW) and 23.2kgm(228Nm) propelled the car up to 224km/h(139mph), well above manufacturer data of 210km/h(130mph). Along with it, she once recorded 241km/h!!!!@6500rpm on chassis dyno, so her mechanical precision was almost legendary, to my opinion. I hope the new W212 Mercedes-Benz E Class will become a masterpiece in long story of Mercedes-Benz, as the W124 series! In Japan, my home country, the new Mercedes E350 is not powered by direct-injection unit, but by Mercedes' obsolete port type injection unit. I feel sorry about this policy since we, Japanese customers, cannot get this company's state-of-art engineering! The W212's superb mechanical refinement can be spoiled by such old-fashioned mechanism, so I want to condemn Mercedes' laziness toward Japanese market models.
I used to have a Mercedes-Benz 260E(W124) from 1992 to 2008. It had rock-solid build, engine rather sleepy but with train-like strong torque, and somewhat dull yet predictable handling. Her engine yielding just 166bhp(124kW) and 23.2kgm(228Nm) propelled the car up to 224km/h(139mph), well above manufacturer data of 210km/h(130mph). Along with it, she once recorded 241km/h!!!!@6500rpm on chassis dyno, so her mechanical precision was almost legendary, to my opinion. I hope the new W212 Mercedes-Benz E Class will become a masterpiece in long story of Mercedes-Benz, as the W124 series!
In Japan, my home country, the new Mercedes E350 is not powered by direct-injection unit, but by Mercedes' obsolete port type injection unit. I feel sorry about this policy since we, Japanese customers, cannot get this company's state-of-art engineering! The W212's superb mechanical refinement can be spoiled by such old-fashioned mechanism, so I want to condemn Mercedes' laziness toward Japanese market models.
18 June 2009 14:43
Mercboy says
Love it !!!And yes i would.
07 April 2009 00:57
ga41 says
Should be better looking.
27 March 2009 11:13
warpedone says
Re: Mercedes E350 CGI (2009) CAR review
I now see there is going to be an XF estate - MB must be feeling nervous!
27 March 2009 10:07
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