2008 Mercedes-Benz E350 Reviews

The E350d sits at the top of the E-Class diesel line-up and costs $134,900.

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

Playing it safe has always been a Mercedes-Benz hallmark but the German carmaker is breaking with tradition by installing its updated mid-sized E-Class as the occupant-protection pioneer. It is part-acknowledgement that technology evolves too quickly to delay innovations for the new flagship S-Class due late this year and partly a reflection of the fact the E is now a more important vehicle for Benz as sales of large limousines continue to decline. Either way, it’s a win for E-Class buyers when the car goes on sale in Australia in August.Pricing for Australia hasn’t been confirmed but company spokesman David McCarthy says an “assertive” strategy will mean minimal changes to the existing numbers, which start at $80,000 for the petrol-powered E200 four-cylinder car.  “We’re still finalising specifications for the range,” McCarthy says. “Expect the E-Class to lead the way on pricing and features.” Holding the prices in check will be a big achievement for a car that has had 2000 new components.There will be a choice of three petrol and three diesel engines in the sedan. The highlights are a bi-turbo V6 petrol E400 that will give Mercedes a vehicle to rival BMW’s 535i and a diesel hybrid that uses just 4.1 litres over 100km. Wagon buyers will have the option of a four-cylinder diesel or the bi-turbo V6.There are 11 new or updated safety systems in the E-Class, headed by automatic braking to prevent rear-end crashes and a system that detects pedestrians or crossing traffic at an intersection and hits the stoppers to avoid them. A single windscreen-mounted camera has been replaced by dual cameras linked to radar sensors to provide a virtual 3D field of vision that constantly monitors a 50m space around the car for potential hazards.Unlike the new Volvo V40, Australian E-Classes won’t read speed signs. Put that down to rural signs often being used for target practice by gun and 4WD owners and the fact many of our major cities have such a gaggle of signs that it is almost pointless to try and monitor them. “Like all our safety features, until it works perfectly every time, we won’t implement it,” McCarthy says.The basic structure of the E-Class hasn’t changed but just about everything else has. The headlamps are now a single unit with a pair of daytime running lights in a tick layout. The lamps are housed in a new front end that still comes in two guises - the traditional “Elegance” design with a bonnet-mounted three-pointed star and three-strake grille and the sportier-looking “Avantgarde” style that uses a larger Mercedes roundel mounted in a two-band grille.The interior updates are more subtle but reflect the move to improve refinement. It’s a sum-of-the-parts equation: touches like a new “split view” seven-inch screen that can project one display for the driver and another for the passenger and an analogue clock nestled between the redesigned vents aren’t instantly obvious but in combination make a big difference to the cabin ambience.Mercedes is still assessing which features will go into which cars, but the range-topping regular model, the bi-turbo V6 E400 will pick up everything. That includes adaptive cruise control with “steering assist”, which uses the dual cameras to keep the E-Class in the centre of the lane. A lane-keeping assist function also scans the road for solid and broken lines.It automatically brakes a wheel to avoid crossing solid lines and alerts the driver with a vibration in the steering wheel if they are veering over a broken line. If the system detects oncoming traffic in that situation, it also brakes a corner to bring the Mercedes back into its lane. A five-star rating from ANCAP is pretty much guaranteed.The four-cylinder models are expected to account for the vast majority of E-Class sales and the performance from the lightweight engines is more than acceptable. The pair of 250 engines - the entry level E200petrol wasn’t available at the international launch in Spain - pull the 0-100km/h sprint in around 7.5 seconds.The E220 CDI is the diesel price-leader to take on BMW's 520d, which heads 5 Series sales. The E250 diesel is the pick, courtesy of an expected $95,000 price backed by 500Nm that gives a decent shove in the seat at any speed.Step up to the hybrid and the reward comes in even less fuel use. The diesel-electric system adds around 100kg but still uses just 4.1 litres over 100km. That weight can be felt in the wagon over badly broken roads, where there’s a muted bang over seriously big bumps. We’re reserving judgment on that until we can try the car on local roads but around town the behaviour is impeccable.The E400 is a weapon and it’s only the sound from the bi-turbo V6 that gives away you’re not in a V8. The electric steering now has more weight at speed without sacrificing feel and makes the mid-sized car a lively vehicle when the road starts to wind.

The standard gear in the midsized Mercedes is as extravagant as the pricetag. The $133,000+ spend is around $12,000 dearer than the comparable Audi A6 and $3000 up on a BMW 535i. In short, the E350 is a car that tells the world you're in business and doing alright, thanks very much.DESIGNSharper and stronger lines tapering up from front to back give the E-Class a more angular look. It's not as aggressive as a Beemer, but there's enough understated menace to steer well clear if you're not holding the keys.Horizontal bands of wood, leather and chrome in the interior reinforce to the impression of space and luxury and the faint but distinct clicks as the dials Harman Kardon sound system is cranked up highlights the attention to detail.TECHNOLOGYThe E-Class has picked up some clever toys and the E350 rolls standard with blind spot and lane departure assistance. The reversing camera is standard and displays on a hi-res seven-inch infotainment screen. The engine is a 200kW/350Nm 3.5-litre six-cylinder that runs through a silicone-smooth seven-speed auto transmission.SAFETYEleven airbags inflate the Merc's safety credentials but it's the software and sensors that should stop them from deploying. On the E350 that runs from adaptive brakes that automatically dry themselves, a driver fatigue warning system, the Pre-Safe system that sets the seat belt tensioners according to the occupants' size and lane departure and blind spot warnings. Toss in the fact this 1.7-tonne beast is built from the ground up to protect you and the E-Class is a safe choice.DRIVINGCompromises are for people who can't afford cars in this class. In the case of the Merc there's enough grunt to handle traffic light launches but it is 70-100km/h overtaking where the engine's 350Nm shines.The default suspension mode is lightly biased to comfort compared to the 5 Series, but flick the suspension switch and it tightens as quickly as the passenger's grip on the grab rail. Wind noise is a whisper over the A-pillars at highway speed and the E-Class would make a classy interstate commuter.VERDICTThe strength of the four-cylinder engines is rightly attracting new owners but for those who can afford it, the V6 powerplants (petrol and diesel) are a treat. That will only improve when the direct injection V6 arrives late this year with more power and torque but fuel use down from 9.4 litres to around 7 litres. Bring it on.Mercedes-Benz E350Price: From $132,635. Warranty: 3 years roadside, unlimited km.Economy: 8.5 l/100km; 199g/km CO2.Safety Equipment: 11 airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP. Crash rating: 5 stars.Engine: 225kW/370Nm 3.5-litre 6 cylinder.Transmission: seven-speed sports automatic, rear wheel drive.Body: Sedan 4-door, 5 seats.Dimensions: 4868mm (L); 1854mm (W); 1472mm (H); 2874mm (WB)Weight: 1735kg.Tyre size: 245/40 R18, Alloy.Spare tyre: Space saver/Temporary. 

Mercedes-Benz has drawn a full house for its E-Class family with the arrival of the soft-top convertible. The final member of the E stable joins the sedan, coupe and wagon to give those who enjoy open-top touring an option that doesn't involve any risk to a loose-fitting toupee.Like the Coupe, the Cabriolet owes a good deal of its DNA to the C-Class platform rather than the larger and newer E-Class underpinnings. However, again like the Coupe, there is little lost in the exchange and in the case of the drop-top much gained by way of new comfort features.The headline technology for the Cabriolet is the all-new Aircap which joins the company's proven Airscarf system to keep occupants snug and unruffled through even the coldest weather. While the Airscarf (unveiled in the SLK a couple of years ago) blows warm air across the back of the neck from vents in the top of the seats, Aircap works by creating a virtual roof with directed airflow from the top of the windscreen over the passenger compartment. This is facilitated by a mini wing which rises 6cm from the top of the windscreen at the touch of a button to ensure cold external air is forced up and over the passenger compartment.An additional benefit is that the less disturbed air flowing through the cabin reduces wind and road noise, making it easier for occupants to carry on a conversation.Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says the decision to develop the E-Class Cabriolet with a soft-top rather than the more up-market folding metal roof, pioneered by Mercedes-Benz six years ago and now favoured by many manufacturers, was driven by customers."Customers told us that they wanted a soft-top to differentiate the car more clearly from the Coupe," McCarthy says. "The customers wanted it and we wanted to satisfy those needs."The four-layer roof developed for the E-Class is as good, if not better, than any on the market. Noise insulation is excellent, the styling in no way detracts from the look of the car with smooth flow lines across the roof and an elegant storage solution into its own compartment behind the rear seats that allows a couple of airline roll-on bags and several soft sportsbags to be comfortably stowed in the boot. At 20 seconds to stow or deploy it is not the quickest available but it can be operated up to 40km/h.Across the range the cabriolet is serviced by a brake package that is both strong and durable. A run through Victoria's twisting alpine roads showed that even in the nose-heavy V8 the last application of the brakes was as effective as the first.The speed sensitive rack and pinion steering in both cars has a nice meatiness and a comforting directness that transmits input from the driver to the wheels in as timely a manner as feedback is sent in the other direction. It is not as sharp as the BMWs but more than adequate for what will mostly be a boulevard cruiser.On the safety front the Cabriolet wants for nothing with a full suite of active and passive acronyms. There are nine airbags, electronic stability control, brake assist, adaptive brake lights (which glow brighter in an emergency stop), Pre-Safe (which prepares the car for a collision when sensors deem one unavoidable), adaptive high beams and distronic plus cruise control.Not a personal gripe, but some drivers with smaller hands may find the steering wheel a bit chunky.Mercedes will launch the E-Class Cabriolet in Australia with two models, the 285kW and 530Nm 5.5-litre V8 E500 ($186,950) and the 200kW and 350Nm 3.5-litre V6 E350 ($139,950). A 1.8-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol version, the 150kW and 310Nm E250 CGi will arrive in May for $105,950 while a 150kW and 500Nm 2.1-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel completes the engine linup when it arrives in July."Demand for the diesel engines is definitely growing," McCarthy says. "In the SUV models diesel makes up the majority of sales while for the passenger vehicles it is up to almost a quarter of all cars sold."At the first Australian drive of the Cabriolet in Melbourne this week the Cabriolet's new comfort technology was given a stern test on a cold and wet Victorian morning. It passed with flying colours. There is a noticeable decrease in wind buffeting within the cockpit with the window-mounted deflector deployed and a consequent improvement in the ability to hold a conversation. It is not quiet, but it is quieter.While the comfort factor of the roofless E-Class is the wow factor being pushed by Mercedes, the driving synamics of the car are being allowed to slip quietly through ... and that's a mistake because this is one of the best examples of just how to make a convertible behave like a coupe.A coupe-like construction philosophy for the body — strength and more strength with a traditional b-pillar construction up to the waistline of the car, extra stiffening of the windscreen frame to rollover standard — which works in concert with the pop-up rollbars behind the passengers, and stronger chassis cross-bracing all culminate in an ability to toss the E-Class freely into corners without fear of body or chassis torque threatening to unload the wheels.The only engines on hand for test this week were the V6 and V8, of which the eight is certainly the pick for any with a need for power and deep pockets to match. The seven-speed automatic box is a good match to both engines, for differing reasons.In the V8 fat torque curve means that maximum attack is never too far away and the ability to dump a couple of ratios quickly gives the cabriolet a lightness of being that belies its rather hefty 1840kg kerb weight. In the V6 the call to action is not as immediate but the ability to cruise effortlessly in the higher gearing does mean the hit at the bowser is not as severe with an average combined economy of 9.8 litres per 100km seemingly very achievable.

The latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio comes with two nifty devices both designed to keep you snuggly warm on top-down winter nights.As if its patented Airscarf was not enough — and capable of blowing warm air over your neck — Benz now also has the Aircap as part of the standard equipment on the fresh-air E when they arrive in Australia in April to replace the superseded CLK droptop.The system works as a windbreaker to cut drafts into the cabin for both front and rear passengers. It uses a wind deflector that raises six centimetres above the leading edge of the windscreen to deflect the air flow and a net between the rear seats to reduce turbulence in the cabin. The system is so high-tech, using 211 individual components, that Mercedes has taken out 20 patents on the device.The chief engineer of the E-Class coupe and convertible, Christian Fruh, describes the system as ‘an isle of calm in the middle of a hurricane’. "It quite literally takes wind out of your hair," he says. And the Aircap also cuts noise in the cabin, as well as working with the automatic aircon — which knows when when the roof is up or down to adjust the heating or cooling to compensate.Apart from the draught stopper, the cabrio also gains a wealth of Mercedes-Benz safety knowhow. The company’s passive safety chief, Kai Visel, says it is as safe as the coupe.  "The rollover performance in an accident is the same as the coupe,” he says.To achieve that, the cabrio uses high-tensile steel, a traditional B-pillar construction, and heavily reinforced body structure that includes more robust A-pillars and twin rollover protection bars that automatically deploy for rear seat passengers. Visel says the car’s torsional rigidity is almost the same as the flagship two-seater SL.But there is more to the E Cabrio, with four new models for Australia — the first-up petrol V6 and V8 ahead of two four-cylinder models later in the year. First up is the E350 V6 and range topping E500 V8 in April to be followed by the E250 CGI petrol around June and E250 CDI turbodiesel arriving in July.The V6 cabrio will cost $139,950 while the E500 is $186,950, both a $12,450 increase over the E-Class coupe already on sale. The E250 CGI is tipped to be around $105,000 and the E 250 CDI around $135,000. But Benz says the higher prices for the E350 and E500 including $12,555 and $18,627 more value over the outgoing CLK droptop.Despite its higher price, the E-Class cabrio is likely to be shopping against the Audi A5 cabriolet and BMW’s 3 Series cabrio. Mercedes did well with the previous cabrio, as 39 per cent of CLK buyers chose the cabrio."We expect a similar level of interest for the new cabrio,” says Peter Fadeyev, spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Australia.Like the E coupe, the E350 cabrio gets a 170kW/540Nm 3.0-litre V6 and the E500 a 285kW/530Nm 5.5-litre V8. The E500 hits 100km/h in 5.3 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h with economy of 11.0L/100km.The E250 CGI has a 1.8-litre four cylinder petrol engine that pumps out 150kW/310Nm, delivering 7.8l/100km. The E250 CDI gets a 2.2-litre four-cylinder with 150kW/500Nm with 5.6l/100km. All four-cylinder models get a five-speed automatic while Mercedes' latest’ 7G-tronic seven-speed automatic will be standard on the petrol V6 and V8.Fadeyev expects the E350 to be the most popular model. However, after the experience with the E-Class sedan in Australia, he believes buyers could be swayed to the new petrol and turbodiesel fours."We’ll have to wait and see, but our customers are really warming to the new four-cylinder engines because they deliver plenty of performance without sacrificing fuel economy. The E250CGI could be the dark horse," Fadeyev says.Benz also claims coupe levels of cabin quietness and integrity. The four-layer acoustic soft-top helps reduce noise. The hydraulic roof is fully automatic, taking 20 seconds to raise or lower at speeds up to 40km/h. It lowers flush with the boot gets its own stowage compartment, with a retractable cover to separate it from the luggage area. With the roof closed the cover can be slid forward to increase capacity by 90 litres to 390 litres. There is also a ski-port for loading long items.Firstly, forget strong performance and that solid-as-a-rock Mercedes build quality. The talk is all about the E-Class cabrio's new-found feel good factor, thanks to Aircap and the potential for year-round open top enjoyment. It is so effective that it will allow top down motoring even in the darkest days of winter because it significantly cuts any turbulent air swirling around the cabin.The device works a treat. It doesn't entirely eliminate the wind-in-the-hair feel but makes cold weather driving a treat. Throw in the heated seats and Airscarf — which will remain an option for Australia — and the cabrio could lure coupe buyers who have never considered a softtop. Because it is changing the cabrio's aerodynamics slightly, the Aircap does eat a little into fuel economy but Mercedes engineers say it is a modest increase.As with the E-Class sedan and coupe, the cabrio is packed with safety and technology to justify the steep price tag. The four-layer roof is technological work of art. With the roof closed the cabin is as quiet as the coupe.After driving both the E250 CGI and E500, the V8 is the pick if you have the cash to splash because it works so well with the new seven-speed automatic and has a rorty exhaust note with the top down. But the turbocharged 1.8-litre four is certainly not embarrassed; it's quiet with a strong mid-range for overtaking and the five-speed auto's ratios are perfectly matched to extract the performance from the engine.The ride and handling in both the four and V8 is perhaps not as sharp as BMW 3-Series cabrio but slicker than the A5 cabrio. It can still double as a boulevard cruiser or swift mountain touring car.Thanks to the extra chassis stiffening, the cabrio resists scuttle shake and there is very little flexing over even the roughest roads.The cabrio has a slightly longer wheelbase than the CLK which liberates more cabin room, so both front seat occupants are spoilt for space and legroom. In the back, though, the stronger body meant moving the rear seats inboard so shoulder space is best described as snug. The rear seatback is also quite vertical but this means rear seat passengers sit slightly higher and have a better view out front.Visually the cabrio styling looks far more resolved and more youthful than the sedan thanks to the coupe-esque roof and short boot.

Dull design has been banished from the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range. While the E-Class always has been one of the standards for mid-sized prestige sedans, there’s also always been a strong streak of staidness in the styling. Forget all that. The new eighth-generation E-Class looks as good as it feels.The lines of the iconic Pontoon from about 60 years ago have been used to give the new wedge shape an arresting side contour and wheel arches, with a longer and lower stance. But there’s more than just skin-deep beauty. The new range of sedans and coupes arrives with a raft of safety and convenience technology and some new engines on the way.And it’s also undergone one of the most intensive testing programs of any Stuttgart model, with 36 million kilometres of test driving, and 150 crash tests of real metal supported with more than 17,000 of computer-modelled ones.The E-Class will appear on showroom floors in both sedan and coupe body styles this month with two initial petrol engines — both carried over from the current range — the 200kW/350Nm V6 E350 and the 285kW/530Nm V8 E500, and both mated to a column-mounted seven-speed G-tronic sequential automatic transmission.While those looking for the AMG badge will have to wait until the arrival of the E63 early in 2010, later this year we’ll see what promises to be a stonking engine in the V6 E350 Cdi turbodiesel, which boasts 540Nm but a fuel economy of jusy 6.8l/100km.However, even this fairly frugal consumption is likely to be outshone by the accompanying uber-economical four-cylinder BlueEfficiency engines, with the range being plumped out by the E250 direct-injected turbocharged petrol and E220 Cdi and twin-turbo E250 Cdi diesels.Mercedes-Benz expects a great buyer response to the more economical versions, especially the diesel, with the public’s increasing search for better and greener solutions. “But diesel by itself is not the whole answer to the future fuel issue,” says Merc’s managing director, Horst von Sanden. “We believe there is not one single answer, but that the success of engines in the future will rely on an intelligent mix — diesel, hybrid, super-efficient petrol — all of these will be improved.”Prices will start from $80,900 for the E220 CDi sedan and $94,500 for the E250 CGi coupe, while the E350 will start from $128,900 and the E500 V8 from $178,900.The equipment list is long and pretty comprehensive, with the usual safety and comfort features being joined by the Attention Assist system that monitors your driving behaviour and inputs and sends alerts if it senses you are getting drowsy, nine air bags, repeater LED indicators in the side mirrors, lane keep and blind spot assist systems and ambient lighting. There is also speed-sensitive direct control steering and three-mode — Comfort, Sports or Airmatic — direct control suspension in the top spec.Options include night view assist for low-light driving, adaptive intelligent lights that adjust the spread and automatically dip when they sense oncoming traffice, and radar-controlled active cruise control that lock on and keeps a safe distance from cars in front. Unfortunately we miss out on the European system that reads speeds signs, as our signs are a different shape, while the stop-go technology is available — for now — only on the four-cylinder manual variant that will not arrive here.The E350 and E500 can be a bit sneaky, if you’re not careful. Both cabins are so quiet that there’s little sensation of speed, and you tend to creep the needle up the dial without even noticing. Neither of the engines are unwilling, but the V8 copes much better with the weighty body that is the unavoidable consequence of racks of technology being added to already hefty strengthened metal. While the column mount takes a bit of getting used to, the seven-speed transmission is smooth and snappy, and there’s no question it gets enough out of either engine to please most buyers.But these two sit somewhere in the middle of the market — they’re not all-out fire-breathers expected of the hero and AMG versions when they arrive, but nor are they the modest and more frugal end of the spectrum that the BlueEfficiency engines will cater for. Rather, this pair will offer some extra urge for those moments when you want to stir up just a bit more, but generally encourage you to cruise around in supreme ease and comfort most of the time.The interior fit-out is superb, and with the quality of materials married to the extra technology, the E-Class is starting to get closer to the S-Class that has always been held up as the technology standard for Mercedes-Benz. The S-Class is the car that gets all the goodies first, and then sees them trickle down to the rest of the range — but the E-Class had us wondering if there was any need to spend the extra money.

Mercedes-Benz has been making cars for more than a century and the E-Class or its derivatives for 60 years.The company is about to launch the ninth generation of what is the quintessential Benz family sedan and also a sporty two door coupe version of the same to replace the CLK. It’s a totally new vehicle from the low rolling resistance tyres up and contains advanced technology to make the E-Class better to drive, safer, use less fuel, more comfortable, last longer and be easier to service. In other words, the new E-Class ticks all the boxes regarding car ownership.Called the W212 series, the new E-Class has exterior design features carried over from the first model way back when. The sexy new wedge shape sedan body not only tips its hat to the past around the side and rear mudguard areas but also scythes through the air at a world beating 0.25Cd aerodynamic rating – the most efficient shape in modern production cars bettered only by the E-Coupe which is one point better than the sedan at an incredible 0.24Cd. It allows the cars to use less fuel as well as cutting interior noise.New E-Class is only slightly larger than the previous model but offers better interior space thanks to superior design and new technology.There are plenty of goodies, including direct control suspension offering Comfort, Sports or Airmatic in the top of the range model. Direct control steering changes the front wheel’s response depending on speed using an Australian designed Bishop system.New standard features across the range include attention assist that monitors driver fatigue, ambient lighting, nine air bags, LED mirror mounted repeater lights and a central controller for various car functions including the high-end audio system, now with integrated USB connectivity.The sedan is a five seater with an optional four seat layout while the coupe is strictly a four seater. Both have large boots and a space saver spare. The sedan’s fold down rear seat is a handy feature. Numerous options are available including night vision assist, Distronic radar cruise control, reversing camera and plenty more.Benz has taken steps to make the new E-Class greener by implementing its BlueEfficiency technology on all four cylinder models and the diesel V6. These include aerodynamic aids with a flat undertray, an on-demand alternator, direct fuel injection, smaller capacity force fed engines, so called “eco” power steering, regulated fuel pump, low rolling resistance tyres, optimised air conditioning and other measures. Engine stop/start is not available with automatic transmission.Running costs should be checked with service intervals out to 25,000km. On the road, both sedan and coupe are superb cars to drive with the sportier coupe a real treat. The new E-Class could easily be a benchmark for the modern four door sedan and two door coupe, it’s that good.Two versions of the E-Class will be available in a couple of weeks: Avantgarde and the Elegance with the former having a sporty flavour and the latter more aligned with comfort and luxury. It’s reflected in the wheel sizes and interior décor/features.The E-Class will initially launch with two petrol powered models, the 200kW E350 3.5-litre V6 and the 285kW E500 V8. Both are equipped with a seven-speed G-tronic automatic transmission with paddle sequential shift. Drive goes to the rear wheels through various modulations including electronic stability control.Other models will follow later in the year including three diesels: the 220CDI, the 250CDI, both with a 2.2-litre twin turbo four cylinder diesel engine (the 250 generates 150kW and a whopping 500Nm of torque) and a 350CDI with a 3.0-litre turbo diesel V6. A 250 CGi model with direct fuel injection and turbo charging will also become available at the same time.The coupe runs a similar spread of powertrains and features.Prices will start at $80,900 for the E220CDi sedan and $94,500 for the 250CGi Coupe. Some models fall under the 7.0-litre/100km fuel economy trigger point to get a reduction in Luxury Car Tax.

The good folk at Sindelfingen have looked to the past to give us the future. One look at the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan shows that the design team has taken some cues from the famous 1950s Pontoon models.The E-Class shares that car's bulging rear wheel arches, incorporated into the ninth-generation car's 21st century design. Apart from a passing nod to the Pontoon, the newest Merc gains a modern interpretation of the E-Class's quad headlight treatment wrapped around an entirely new body.As expected, it bristles with safety and technology. Mercedes boldly describes it as the safest car in the world.Prices have been trimmed on some models and there is more equipment across the range, while service intervals have been lifted to 25,000km.The range initially kicks off with the $128,900 E350 V6 and $178,900 E500 V8 with four other models arriving in two months. Both carry over the same engines with no change in performance. The E350 develops 200kW/350Nm while the E500 ups the ante with 285kW/530Nm.From September - two four-cylinder CDI turbo-diesels, a V6 CDI and a four cylinder CGI direction injection petrol engine join the lineup. These engines are all part of the company's Blue Efficiency technologies designed to improve aerodynamics, fuel consumption and emissions.The latest generation turbo-diesels and petrol CGI engines show just how far engine technology has come, delivering more power and torque from smaller capacity units. The 2.1-litre E220 CDI develops 125kW/400Nm, the 1.8-litre E250 CGI has 150kW/310Nm, the E250 CDI develops 150kW/500Nm and the E350 CDI develops 170kW/540Nm.The arrival of an entry level turbo-diesel is a marked departure for the brand, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia managing director, passenger cars, Horst von Sanden. It also becomes the first four-cylinder diesel E-Class to be sold here.Von Sanden says the E220 CDI reflects the growing acceptance of modern diesel technology by Australian customers. He says adding more gear into the cars was also a direct reaction to market demands. The luxury segment had become more price sensitive, he says. "We saw that with the runout of the old car," he says. "Even luxury buyers are expecting more."The entry car will be the $80,900 E220 CDI diesel four, $93,900 E250 CGI petrol four, $96,900 E 250 CDI diesel four and $131,900 E350 CDI V6. The new E350 costs $2965 less than the outgoing model, yet gets more than $10,000 in additional standard equipment. The E500 sedan is $11,232 more expensive but gets about $21,000 worth of additional standard equipment.Buyers can also specify the $5700 AMG sports pack which adds 18-inch AMG alloys, body kit, firmer suspension, sports seats, three-spoke steering wheel and brushed alloy pedals.The E350 gets front and rear parking sensors with parking guidance, 7-speed G-tronic automatic, lane keeping package with blind-spot alarm, attention assist, 18-inch alloys, bi-Xenon headlights with adaptive highbeam assist, cruise control, split/fold rear seats, cupholders, cable for the iPod input, multi-contour front seats and multi-zone climate control air-conditioning.The E500 ups the ante with keyless entry and go, more luxurious front seats, alarm and sunblinds in the rear and side rear seats.The ninth-generation sedan has grown slightly in all directions except height. At 2874mm, the wheelbase is 20mm longer, which has helped liberate more interior room. The sedan's boot capacity remains at 540-litres but it has been redesigned to improve accessibility so it can take four golfbags. Every E-Class now also gets a split fold rear seat to increase luggage room.Those looking for more punch will have to wait until November when the hotter 6.3-litre V8 E63 AMG model arrives.Mercedes has clearly improved every area of the sedan. It's stronger, quieter, beautifully finished and there is enough room and lashings of leather to please all occupants front and rear.The twin headlight front remains but the front is squarer and more upright around the familiar Mercedes grille. The overall look is mature but from some angles not as resolved as the previous generation. Time will tell how well the design will wear. At the back, the lines are more conservative with wide and bold LED tail-lights.Buyers initially have the choice of the E350 3.0-litre V6 petrol along with the E500 5.5-litre V8. Both engines carry over from the previous model. But once the newer CDI models arrive, even Mercedes admits that these powerplants have the potential to be volume sellers. With the imminent arrival of some of the impressive turbo-diesels from September, the petrol 3.0-litre V6 might just be overtaken in the performance stakes.Both the E350 and E500 have gained a bit of weight, but the benefit is added safety and a quieter car. However, with 200kW and 350Nm on tap it is a lot to ask the V6 to propel the hefty E350 1711kg sedan.On paper, Mercedes quotes a zero to 100km/h sprint of 6.3 seconds for the V6 and 5.2 seconds for the V8. On the road though both engines do not feel particularly brisk but it may have been because the cabin is so quiet that you do not get any urgency or sense of speed. Both models just go about their business without fuss.The cabin takes its cues from the S-Class and both the driver and passengers are cosetted and pampered. The ride overall in the V6 is composed, the direct control steering works well and the impressive seats set a benchmark for other brands in comfort and support.The E500 gets the lastest-generation air suspension with adaptive dampers. It delivers a plush ride on the comfort setting but feels best on the firmer setting, which adds some precision without losing ride comfort. That said, the E500 is probably best described as a luxury point-to-point tourer than an outright performance machine. It's about cocooning the occupants.There are no complaints about the seven-speed automatics in either car. Changes are slick and seamless but the V6 requires a hefty shove of the accelerator when overtaking. It is already clear that on paper at least, the 150kW/500Nm 2.1-litre E250 CDI and 170kW/540Nm V6 E350 CDI may well be the pick of the E-Class bunch.The V6 and V8 are adequate but we can't wait to drive the diesels.

But it's a gorgeous thing with a range of engines and transmissions that is sure to win many hearts, including those of current CLK owners.You could say the coupe is a replacement for the current CLK, but that is not quite true because there's likely to be a replacement for that model down the track.Although the coupe sits on a modified version of the sedan platform, it has a shorter wheelbase and the two don't share any body panels. They do, however, share the same engines, transmissions and other running gear.The rear-wheel drive, four-seat coupe goes on sale here in July, with the E350 and E500 to kick things off — but there's more to come in September when the fuel efficient diesels will be introduced.Benz is not talking prices yet, suffice to say it will be more expensive than the sedan. But it's going to be less expensive and better equipped than a CLK.The launch marks the introduction for the first time of two four cylinder engines in keeping with the European trend to smaller, more fuel efficient, more environmentally friendly solutions.The 3.5-litre petrol V6 delivers 215kW of power and 365Nm of torque between 3000-5100rpm and is paired with a slick seven-speed auto that adds shift paddles to the wheel allowing the driver to change gears manually. The new 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder offers 150kW/310Nm, and the range-topping 5.5-litre V8 offers 285kW/530Nm.The 2.1-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel in the E250 CDI has 150kW of power and an impressive 500Nm of torque — the latter available from a low 1600 revs — and is mated to a choice of standard six-speed manual or five-speed auto. The 3.0-litre V6 diesel in comparison delivers 170kW/540Nm.Inside, the coupe will be trimmed and specified differently, with a unique set of sports seats for driver and front passenger featuring adjustable side bolsters.The pick of the colours is pearlescent white that, teamed with the optional glass panoramic roof, looks a million bucks.Headroom in the back is restricted because of the sloping roof, but Benz figures these cars will be driven mostly two up. The back provides individual seating for two passengers.Agility adaptive control suspension is standard on all models with dampers that adjust automatically to the current conditions.The coupe comes with an arsenal of safety equipment as standard including seven airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and Attention Assist that monitors the driver's reactions using 70 different parameters to prevent falling asleep at the wheel. The bonnet is also designed to pop up in the event of an accident to cushion pedestrian impact.The top of the range E500 will come with an AMG sports package as standard that includes AMG garb, bigger wheels and sports suspension — but no extra oomph.On the road the E350 did not disappoint, with plenty of power and torque from the super smooth V6. Weighing in at 1670kg, the car can sprint from 0-100km/h in a rapid 6.5 seconds, with fuel consumption rated at 8.5 litres/100km (we were getting 9.5).The surprise packet, however, turned out to be the four-cylinder diesel, which might not be quite as quick out of the gates as the V6, but does a terrific job of carving up the curves, powering out with a big finish thanks to all that lovely torque.