Mercedes-Benz E300 Reviews

Mercedes is making big strides with its new generation models... is the E-Class up to the task of carrying on its heritage?

Mercedes has gone to some effort to ensure its range of plug-in hybrids doesn't come at a significantly higher cost to customers. Does one of the brand's most iconic nameplates still make sense with electrification in the mix, though?

The majority of new car buyers may be going nuts for SUVs but Mercedes-Benz continues to hone it's mid-size E-Class sedan down to a fine point. Why should the traditionalists miss out?

The E 300 Coupe has been updated along with the rest of the E-Class range, but forget about those other cars, this two-door is one you can truly call your own.

Mercedes-Benz- claims to have mastered the soft-top formula with the E400 4Matic, a car it says offers all the perks of open-air motoring without any of the dynamic or practical downsides. Let's see.

The E 300 Cabriolet starts off with an entry price of $123,500.

Mercedes-Benz has pushed the E-Class to the head of the class with its cutting edge technology, and the company's coupe treatment may well be the perfect foil for the smartest car it's ever made.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has rightfully been regarded as the traditionalist's Mercedes here in Australia.

Most people understand what a hybrid is these days. It's a car with two engines, one of them an electric motor that helps to make it more environmentally friendly. Not only do they pump out less of the bad stuff, they're also more fuel efficient, especially around town where people do most of their driving. Until now, the main engine has been a petrol one and it begs the question, why didn't they start with a diesel which is more fuel efficient to start with?VALUEPriced from $108,900, exactly $10,000 more than a regular E250 CDI  the E300 BlueTEC is the answer to that question. It's the only diesel hybrid currently available in Australia (not counting buses or trucks) and features a 2.1-litre turbocharged diesel engine together with a 20kW electric motor.Apart from this it is basically the same as the E250 CDI on which it is based. Benz says it sets a new benchmark for fuel efficiency and engine emissions in the large car segment. Standard features include full LED headlights, Active Park Assist, reversing camera, PRE-SAFE Brake with active pedestrian protection, Distronic Plus with Steering Assist and the sports package with 19 inch alloys.TECHNOLOGYThe hybrid system adds about 100kg to the weight of the car. The diesel engine produces 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque while the electric motor delivers and additional 20kW/250Nm. That doesn't mean the total system output is the sum of these figures it's more complicated than that.The combined output we're told is 170kW and 590Nm, the latter from 1800 revs -- sufficient to push it from 0 to 100km/h in a brisk 7.5 seconds (same as E250 CDI). Drive is to the rear wheels through a seven-speed auto.Fuel consumption is a claimed 4.3 litres/100km compared with the E250 CDI that uses 4.9 -- an improvement of just over 12 per cent. Interestingly, that's less fuel than a tiny Smart uses. At the same time CO2 emissions are just 113g/km.DESIGNYou don't lose any boot space with this one, unlike other hybrids. The lithium-ion battery pack is located under the bonnet and the hybrid system or electric machine as it is called is integrated into the transmission housing. But there are two normal 12 volt batteries distributed to locations either side of the boot. The hybrid system is supplemented by other systems designed to reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions. The regenerative braking system feeds surplus energy to the battery when the vehicle is slowing down. The ECO start/stop function can switch the internal combustion engine off, for example when halted at traffic lights.SAFETYWe counted nine airbags along with numerous safety systems that make it a very safe car, with automatic braking, blind spot and lane departure assistance as standard.DRIVINGPerformance is generally strong and while the overall effect is impressive, it is not as smooth as a petrol engine. The car can travel about 1km in fully electric mode and with very light pressure on the throttle the driver can maintain motorway speeds using the electric motor only.In reality however this "sailing" mode is difficult to achieve on anything but flat or downhill stretches, because the diesel kicks back in as soon as there as is a load on the system is detected. During our short test drive we recorded 6.7 litres/100km.VERDICTIt's good, but purely from the point of view of economy or performance it is probably not worth the extra dough. But technology freaks are going to love it and we're not surprised to learn that Benz is now lobbying for a tax break that would be applied for vehicles that use less than 5.0 litres/100km (the threshold is currently 7.0).Mercedes-Benz E300 Bluetec hybridPrice: from $108,900Warranty: 3 years, unlimited kmWeight: 1845kgEngine: 2.1-litre 4-cylinder 150kW/500Nm turbodiesel/20kW250Nm electric (170kW/590Nm combined)Transmission: 7-speed-auto, RWDThirst: 4.3L/100Km, 113g/km CO2

While the focus at Benz has shifted to the new, small A-Class, the larger E-Class four door sedan and wagon is the "core" of the company. They've been making E-Class for decades to the point where it's everywhere, in just about every country.For the latest model, Benz asked owners what they thought and implemented many of the suggestions that included a styling tweak, more power, improved economy and safety, more driver assistance features, better value.Benz has delivered on all scores with the mid-life update to the E-Class. The value equation sees prices reduced and some are down by 20 per cent compared to a similarly spec'd previous model. It has the Gorden Wagoner prominent nose with a "four eyed" face, three bar grille with large Benz emblem and more style lines along the body capped with a pair of large tail lights.VALUEThe entry level E200  goes for $79,900 and rolls on 18-inch wheels, gets park assist, blind spot warning, collision warning, sports pack and LED headlights and tail lights.The range goes up to the E400 V6 biturbo at $128,900. It replaces the previous E350 and E500 models. An AMG 63S version arrives later in the year at $249,900 complete with 430kW/800Nm V8 petrol power and all the goodies associated with the AMG brand.Estate (wagon) variants are available in a number of powertrain choices. All offer seven seat capacity. Some of the new E-Class range fall under the 7.0-litre/100km Luxury Car Tax reduction trigger point with commensurate price reductions.DESIGNThe classy interior is better than before with a sports multi function wheel, analogue clock, decorative features and a choice of three two-tone colour schemes. It's simpler to operate, better looking and has more features.TECHNOLOGYFrom the E250 up the cars get adaptive LED headlights while all variants score the exterior sports package popular on the previous model, direct control suspension, cross drilled discs and splashes of chrome inside and out. Technology improvements see 'Command III' make an appearance in E-Class, a system that integrates with the iPhone 5 or Android equivalent for direct internet connectivity.Under the bonnet, the base engine moves from a 1.8-litre turbo petrol four to a 2.0-litre with EU 6 credentials. In the entry level E200, this engine is good for 135kW/300Nm output while in the 250, it's uprated to 155kW/350Nm.Standard transmission across the range is a seven-speed auto driving the rear wheels. The E250CDi diesel retains the strong 2.1-litre turbo diesel engine from before. An E400 twin-turbo petrol V6 is coming soon as a replacement for the previous V8 model. It has a similar output but uses less fuel and generates fewer emissions.There's also an E300 'Bluetec' hybrid with an in-line electric assist motor and a lithium ion battery pack capable of super low fuel consumption. E-Class Bluetec has multi modes including the interesting `sailing' when the car is on electric power alone at freeway speeds.SAFETYDriver assist functions abound and include attention assist, high beam assist, and Distronic cruise control with lane keeping function. It uses a stereo camera to monitor the driving environment, altering the car's dynamics to suit, even to avoid pedestrians or potential cross street collisions. Active park assist makes an appearance for parallel and end on parking. DRIVINGWe drove the first three variants to arrive, E200, E250 and E250CDi. We would be happy with any of them with the sporty E250 petrol a stand out. The new E-Class has poise and control on the road, is quiet and sophisticated and can be super economical.There's plenty of room inside and a large boot. Even the base car will please in performance terms thanks in part to the willing new 2.0-litre engine and slick seven-speed transmissionVERDICTStill the benchmark in the medium large premium Euro segment. Looks better, goes better than the competition  and with price reductions and  extra kit, makes the proposition even more tempting.The complete 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon range is:E 200 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $79,900E 220 CDI 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $82,400E 250 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-door sedan: $97,400E 250 CDI 2.2-litre turbo-diesel four-door sedan: $99,900E 300 Hybrid 2.2-litre turbo-diesel / electric four-door sedan: $109,900E 400 3.0-litre bi-turbo petrol four-door sedan: $129,900E 63 AMG 5.5-litre bi-turbo petrol four-door sedan: $249,900E 200 Estate 2.0-litre turbo-petrol five-door wagon: $86,900E 250 CDI Estate 2.2-litre turbo-diesel five-door wagon: $107,700E 400 Estate 3.0-litre bi-turbo petrol five-door wagon: $137,700Mercedes-Benz E200Price: from $79,900Warranty: 3 years roadside assistEngine: 1.8L four-cylinder, 135kW/270NmTransmission: 7-speed automatic, RWDThirst: 6.6L/100Km, CO2 154g/km