CAR MAGAZINE - First Drives: Mercedes E350 CGI

[Merc1]

CAR's rating:

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 BMW’s 5-series feels old and outdated (it’ll be replaced in less than 12 months time) while Audi’s A6, despite (or perhaps because of) a minor facelift late last year, doesn’t feel particularly new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.
What’s this CGI nonsense on the new Mercedes E-class all about?

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


Full Story: CAR MAGAZINE - First Drives: Mercedes E350 CGI


M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Another good review. More disappointing comments about the V6.

After so much painstaking attention being paid to refinement and aerodynamics etc. they really should have done more with the V6 to shut it up.

 

[Giannis]

From the tons of interior pics we've seen so far, I am 100% positive that the E-Class interior looks better in darker colours.

 

[Merc1]

Another good review. More disappointing comments about the V6.

After so much painstaking attention being paid to refinement and aerodynamics etc. they really should have done more with the V6 to shut it up.

Yep, the V6 seems to be the weak link.


M

 

[tennmb]

33.9 mpg. Whoa!! That is impressive mileage. I could barely squeeze out 27 in the best conditions on the current 350.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Interior is absolutely gorgeous in that color scheme.

The articles suggests that ALL E's are fitted with the 'BlueEfficiency' measures, which is pretty generous on MB's part. But I wonder how the low rolling resistance tires impact on the cars sporty pretentions. Are they less grippy? Any idea anyone?

 

[chonkoa]

My favourite Mercedes. Just a bit disappointing to hear about the engine, but the engine department was never their forte.

 

[Merc1]

Its seems that Mercedes' abilities with engines are just like their cars, skewed towards the large and big. No complaints out of their V8s and V12s, but their 4 and 6-cylinder engines are usually found wanting a lot of times. Now their old I6 was another story. This V6 thing is still kinda new for Mercedes with only 2 different designs in 12+ years.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Its seems that Mercedes' abilities with engines are just like their cars, skewed towards the large and big. No complaints out of their V8s and V12s, but their 4 and 6-cylinder engines are usually found wanting a lot of times. Now their old I6 was another story. This V6 thing is still kinda new for Mercedes with only 2 different designs in 12+ years.

M

I bet the new turbo fours will be superb. Now we just have to wait for the next generation V6's.

 

[Tarek]

I'm sorry but i find this V6 bashing from the press is nonsense,try to compare that engine to the one in the new XF and u'll see the difference.

The only thing that engine lacks is just more power to match the competition other than that nothing to be done.

And what's wrong with the "old" 4 Kompressor units? they are just superb,great fuel consumption while pushing more power and torque than the competition?

PS,stunning color combo

 

[Tarek]

but the engine department was never their forte.

Not really at all.did u drive the V8s and V12s? the only weak link is the V6s and they'll be replaced other than that MB pretty much has the strongest engines lineup.

 

[cawimmer430]

Most of the people buying these cars do so for comfort and luxury, not raw performance.

The "old" 3.2-l V6 in our Mercedes E320 is a bit "loud" when you drive aggressively, but when you drive in a normal and easygoing manor it isn't even audible.

All these magazines obviously drive the cars aggressively, hammering the engine at every occasion. Obviously the engine will be "noisy". That's clearly not how the people who're interested in this car generally drive.

And for those that want more power, they can easily go for an E550. Someone shopping for a Mercedes E-Class easily has enough dough to upgrade to an E550. The only reason they're going for the V6 E350 is most likely because they're not really interested in raw performance but want to experience the cars luxury features etc.

Also, Mercedes doesn't do the whole "ultra-quiet" stuff that Lexus strives for. A Mercedes is generally a very quiet and isolated car on the inside, but not as extreme as a Lexus. Some people care about that, others don't. It's not a big deal IMO.

 

[Benzboi_inoz]

Most of the people buying these cars do so for comfort and luxury, not raw performance.

The "old" 3.2-l V6 in our Mercedes E320 is a bit "loud" when you drive aggressively, but when you drive in a normal and easygoing manor it isn't even audible.

All these magazines obviously drive the cars aggressively, hammering the engine at every occasion. Obviously the engine will be "noisy". That's clearly not how the people who're interested in this car generally drive.

And for those that want more power, they can easily go for an E550. Someone shopping for a Mercedes E-Class easily has enough dough to upgrade to an E550. The only reason they're going for the V6 E350 is most likely because they're not really interested in raw performance but want to experience the cars luxury features etc.

Also, Mercedes doesn't do the whole "ultra-quiet" stuff that Lexus strives for. A Mercedes is generally a very quiet and isolated car on the inside, but not as extreme as a Lexus. Some people care about that, others don't. It's not a big deal IMO.

Good post Christian. I'd also like to point out that the whole magazine review comments thing about aspects of a vehicles performance, like noisy engines, overall quietness etc, is very, very subjective. It's about as useful as saying, 'this car feels so much faster than X'

The measurements don't lie, and sometimes Autocar, or Car and Driver US will provide the actual Db A weighted decibel levels, and it is surprising how often they are very close in reality, - to the point of say 1db, which is where you might (?) just perceive an audible difference - despite the claims for night and day differences often found in reviewers (subjective) comments.

As always with cars, there are perceptions, subjective opinions, myths and facts.

Best

Jon...

 

[Monster]

The measurements don't lie, and sometimes Autocar, or Car and Driver US will provide the actual Db A weighted decibel levels, and it is surprising how often they are very close in reality, - to the point of say 1db, which is where you might (?) just perceive an audible difference - despite the claims for night and day differences often found in reviewers (subjective) comments

Normally people won't notice the differences in noise level under 2 db.

 

[cawimmer430]

Just a bit disappointing to hear about the engine, but the engine department was never their forte.

Come one, you know that's not true.

MB has a history of making successful and impressive engines. Just because they don't win as often as BMW on Wards doesn't mean anything. Wards, like everyone else, has their biases (in the form of judges, engineers etc.).

 

[Monster]

I don't understand why people are bashing the current V6 engine. It is one of the most advanced V6 engines on the market today. It has variable intake length, variable cam timing on both inlet and exhaust valve, active tumble flaps inside the air intake, now with direct fuel injection. I don't think MB engineers have drop the ball on the V6 engine.

The rules and theories of designing I.C engines are well known to all engine designers, it is a matter of balancing what you want and what compromise you are willing to have, and the design constrains that is imposed onto the engineers. I am 100% sure those MB engineers are capable enough to design a killer V6 engine, even with their relative lack of experience, but they don't always get what they want. For example the optimum angle for V6 engine is 60°, however due to cost reasons and ease of manufacturing MB chose to have a V6 engines with 90° between the banks of the cylinders. It is because the basic engine architecture is shared between the V6 and the V8 engine, and the optimum angle for the V8 engine is 90°. So MB chose to compromise the design of V6 engine for the sake of the V8.

Personally I don't have any problems with the current 3.5 V6 engine. It idles smoothly and it is extremely quiet. You can hardly hear it when it is cruising. It does become a bit loud when you are really accelerating but it remains smooth. It is a lazy engine with a wide torque band, which is perfect for normal city driving. The engine suits the purpose of the car.

 

[Bilal]

I know this is the 316hp version and I know it comes with a deliberately sporty exhaust note, but please, just listen to that metallic wail at high revs!

This is nothing other than the sound of a true V6 engine. The fact that it is fitted to a Mercedes is even more impressive.

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[Tarek]

While i love that version of the 350 engine i really don't think it suits the comfy nature of an E or S but it definitely should make it to the C-Class IMO.

 

[sfbayfan]

I have had my E350 V6 for almost 4 happy years now and I can tell you that it is a quiet engine, it does have some punch when pushed hard and you can hear it, but it responds quite nicely and meets all my needs for power when I need it and it can accelerate quite swiftly, plus the 7 speed tranny shifts smoothly and almost imperceptibly...nice!! The V6 provides a good balance of fuel economy and is just what is needed for daily driving.