The thing about the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is that it was always supposed to be the classiest car in its class. It was meant to represent those buyers who love the brand but couldn’t quite afford the S-Class, yet they still wanted all those nice goodies that come with an executive class car. Over 60 years ago Mercedes-Benz created such a car. They didn’t call it the E-Class yet but it was essentially an example of what I’ve just mentioned.
I thought about this over the hills of Durban and the meandering roads of Pietermaritzburg as I went about testing some of the new E-Class’s limits. The makers say no other car in this class (Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series) combines the attributes of a top handler with such finesse and comfort. Words like that stir up certain reactions in someone like me and I tend to want to find out for myself. Like any good journalist would.
Until I get all three protagonists back to back there’s no comparison to be made here. Except that this new E-Class is nothing like any other E-Class I’ve ever driven, apart from the E 55 AMG and the E 63 AMG.
Launched in Mzansi yesterday the company had brought out three models; an E 300, an E 350 and an E 500. Redesigned from scratch the new E uses a new design language for Merc, one that is sharper, edgier and ultimately boxier. Shapes dominating the landscape are trapezoids and squares instead of the previous generation’s circles and teardrops. The lines are certainly kinkier, flowing and floating less than before.
The first model to come to my hands was the E 350. Using the same 3.5-litre naturally aspirated V6 engine the car produces 200kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque is pegged at 350Nm between 2400rpm and 5000rpm. Running the whole show is Merc’s trusted 7G-Tronic gearbox. Our car was fitted with paddles behind the steering wheel. Don’t use the paddles. They are schitzophrenic. Stick to the automatic mode, either in normal drive or in Sport. Mercedes-Benz claims a 0 – 100km/h time of 6.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 250km/h. average fuel consumption is said to be 9.6 litres per 100km from the 80 litre fuel tank.
The E 350 went like a nice big cruiser and handled well. The standard 17-inch wheels with 245/45 R 17 tyres seem adequate enough, but for R5 500 extra you can get the 18-inch set instead. Our E 350 also came with the R33 000 Driving Assistance package. In that are systems like the Lane Keeping assist
Inside we got things like a 6-CD changer (I couldn’t find any slots that could play my USB nor my SD card), dual air conditioning, a four-spoke steering wheel with satellite controls and blind Spot Assist. The latter lets out a beep when it senses that the car has veered off its lane without the driver intending it to. We also had Distronic Plus which, if utilised, keeps a certain following distance between your car and the car in front. When the car in front slows down, you also slow down automatically. When it stops suddenly you do the same.
We then slid into the E 300 which has a naturally aspirated 3.0-litre V6. This is the same motor that goes into cars badged E 280 and C 280 but that misbadging has now been rectified to reflect the correct engine size. It pushes out 170kW at 6000rpm and maximum torque of 300Nm between 2500 and 5000rpm. The 0 – 100km/h sprint time is claimed at 7.4 seconds, top speed is 247km/h and average fuel consumption is listed at 9.2 litres per 100km.
Somehow I had more fun in the less powerful E 300; it felt more focused in its execution, more agile, and offered better handling response. Not that the E 350 was a dog, but I sensed more freedom in the E 300; the bigger-engined car seemed to be overly assisted, not including safety systems like ESP and steering assistance. It was like an invisible hand was guiding it, a lovely feature if you like serene drives but confusing if you like a car that talks back to you.
Sadly I didn’t get any wheel time at all with the E 500 but it has a 5.5-litre V8 making 285kW at 6000rpm and 530Nm between 2800rpm and 5800rpm.
All the cars either have an ELEGANCE or AVANTGARDE trim, both of which can be specced to the buyer’s tastes, including choosing the interior colour scheme and one of twelve exterior colour options. You can also get an AMG kit to make the car look like an E 63 AMG but without the associated go. There are accessories such as an iPod holder, boot luggage net, child seat, roof boxes and a bicycle rack.
A special limited Launch Edition is being sold and it comes with some equipment packages as standard.
The MobiloDrive maintenance plan is still unfortunately still stacked against the consumer. People who buy the new E-Class will have to contribute up to 50% of the maintenance costs under this plan. Look at the prices and you’ll notice these same people are quite deep-pocketed anyway so this might not be such an issue to them.
Mercedes-Benz confirmed that the new 386kW E 63 AMG was on its way to South Africa and would be available from about September this year.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan pricing
E300 R558 000
E350 R634 000
E500 R788 000
E300 Launch Edition R591 000
E200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY R471 000 (launches in October)
E250 CDI R496 000 (launches in October)
E350 CDI 617 000 (launches in October)
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