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The hero car in any model range is usually a headline hog and when that car is the E63 AMG that's understandable. The fact that we've started a story about the more mundane E-Class cars referring to the E63 is a case in point. Put simply, the E63 AMG is one of the most impressive cars we have driven in the past 12 months.
Over the past two weeks we've been road testing the E 250 CGI and E 250 CDI variants. The CGI is powered by a 1.8 litre four cylinder turbo petrol engine developing 150 kW of power and 310 Nm of torque while the CDI is a four cylinder twin turbo diesel with equal power, but a hefty 500 Nm of torque. Both go under Mercedes Benz `Blue EFFICIENCY' banner meaning they are aimed at low emissions and fuel consumption through slippery aerodynamics.
Our week in the CGI was spent in Sydney while the CDI was on the Gold Coast – two different environments, different engines – but the same result: excellent economy from what is by any measure a fair lump of car. The return from the GCI was 7.5 litres/100 km while the CDI was an impressive 5.4 litres/100 km.
The cars are similar to drive with the petrol-engined car slightly lighter in the steering. Oddly enough Mercedes claim each car gets to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, although the turbo-diesel feels a lot faster, particularly at green lights and when passing at speed. That extra 200 Nm of torque kicks in with a crunch.
The E-Class is an icon having been on the Merc menu for more than 60 years. This is the ninth incarnation of the model, the eighth series lasting in Australia from 2002 to late 2009. It is, by any measure, a stunning looking vehicle, clean cut, yet with styling cues that give it character around the rear guards and headlamps. Interestingly, the E-Class has the same drag co-efficient – 0.25 – as the Toyota Prius. The Mercedes strategy is clear: slippery designs complemented by smaller, more fuel-efficient engines.
The interior matches the exterior both in simplicity and style. It's not only a good place to be in terms of comfort, but functional. Our week in Sydney was made easy by the Satellite Navigation system which is user-friendly and a necessity in Australia's most complicated city road system.
The Mercedes Benz BlueEFFICIENCY tag is given to cars that have numerous features added in the quest for better use of energy and maximisation of efficiency. In the two cars we tested this included the aerodynamics, alternator management, direct fuel injection, smaller engines, turbo-charging, radiator grille louvres for better aerodynamics and controlled engine cooling, on demand steering pump and regulated fuel pump, low rolling resistance tyres and air conditioning compressor optimisation. The best part of this list is that the driver has no indication of any of this technology or design as it does not intrude on the appearance or driving characteristics of the vehicle.
With the E 250 CGI costing $93,900 and the E 250 DCI $96,900 the car's offer a clear and simple choice for Benz buyers between petrol and diesel. These are manufacturers list prices and do not take into account government and dealer charges. The CGI is is almost 10 per cent cheaper than the outgoing petrol E 280 V6, while the E 250 DCI is nine per cent down on the V6 turbo-diesel E 280 CDI. Given the new technology these are considerable savings for E-Class buyers.
While the E 250 CDI and E 250 GCI have a nine airbags as standard plus the crash-saving ESP, they miss out on some of the latest technology – blind spot assist, lane keeping assist, night view assist – which are standard/and or optional on the V6 and V8 models. But they do get PreSafe which prepares occupants' seat belts and airbags if a crash is inevitable.
The driving experience is one which exudes confidence: in the car, the safety systems and performance. We found the CGI had a slight hesitation on hurried acceleration from a full stop, but had no such experience from the twin-turbo DCI. The ride is comfortable thanks to a well-tuned suspension that absorbs bumps, but gives the driver excellent feedback. The five speed auto is a good match for the engines.
The rear pew is comfortable for three adults with good head, leg and shoulder room for all. The cabin has a bright and light feel. If we have a complaint about the E Class, it's the boot space. It measures up at 540 litres, but due to being narrow in height cannot accommodate medium suitcases on their side or two on top of each other. This limits the boot to one large suit case laid flat and one medium also laid flat and smaller luggage. For a car this size this is pretty tight.
Verdict: Apart from tight luggage space, the E Class 250 CGI and CDI represents refined, economical motoring for the well-heeled and badge-conscious buyer.
MODEL RANGE AND PRICING
E 220 CDI 4 cyl diesel Elegance $80,900
E 250CDI 4 cyl diesel Avantgarde $96,900
E 350 CDI V6 diesel Avantgarde $131,900
E 250 CGI 4 cyl petrol Avantgarde $93,900
E 350 V6 petrol Avantgarde $128,900
E500 V8 petrol Avantgarde $178,900
E 63 AMG V8 petrol $234,900
FEATURES
ABS Brakes: standard
Air Conditioning: standard
Automatic Transmission: standard
CD Player: standard
Central Locking: standard
Cruise Control: standard
Dual Front Airbags: standard
Front Side Airbags: standard
Stability Control: standard
Traction Control: standard
SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.796 litres (petrol) 2.143 (diesel)
Configuration: 4 in-line
Head Design: 4 valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 9.3:1 (petrol) 16.2:1 (diesel)
Bore/Stroke: 82.0 mm x 85.0 mm(petrol) 83.0 mm x 89.0 mm (diesel)
Maximum Power: 150 kW @ 5500 rpm (petrol) 150 kW @ 4200 rpm (diesel)
Maximum Torque: 310 Nm @ 2000 – 4300 rpm (petrol) 500 rpm @ 1600 -1800 rpm (diesel)
DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: Rear
Manual Transmission: N/A
Automatic Transmission: Five speed
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4868 mm
Wheelbase: 2874 mm
Width: 1854 mm
Height: 1465 mm
Turning Circle: 11.25 metres
Kerb Mass: 1650 kg (petrol) 1735 kg (diesel)
Fuel Tank /Reserve Capacity: 59/8 litres
SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Three link, coil springs, gas shock absorbers
Rear Suspension: Multi link independent with gas shock absorbers
Front Brakes: Ventilated discs
Rear Brakes: Ventolated discs
PERFORMANCE:
0-100 km/h Acceleration: 7.7 seconds
FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: petrol/diesel
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 7.3 L/100km(petrol) 5.3 L/100km (diesel)
GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 7/10 (petrol) 7.5/10 (diesel)
Air Pollution Rating: 7.5/10 (petrol) 6/10 (diesel)
STANDARD WARRANTY:
3 years/ unlimited km
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