E-Class First Drive: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

[Zafiro]

And we happily oblige letting you pass us for that very reason, as we too care about BMW drivers, and wouldn't even think for a second that they can make it out alive after an encounter with a Benz!

OK you win

 

[K-A]

Lol.

 

[fortuner]

lol you guys were funny...

 

[Mr. M]

I just feel a bit betrayed that MB took so long to finally get rid of the 5-speed auto in the lesser Es, the E200/250 CDIs and CGIs. They would have probably sold thousands if not hundreds of thousands of the 5-speed models already when they know the company can do better. And then now they release it - why not just do it from the start? It would have made its bread-and-butter models look so much more appealing next to the 5's 8-speed techno-marvel.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I just feel a bit betrayed that MB took so long to finally get rid of the 5-speed auto in the lesser Es, the E200/250 CDIs and CGIs. They would have probably sold thousands if not hundreds of thousands of the 5-speed models already when they know the company can do better. And then now they release it - why not just do it from the start? It would have made its bread-and-butter models look so much more appealing next to the 5's 8-speed techno-marvel.

It did seem an odd move. Maybe the 7 speed wasn't optimised for the smaller engines yet? Or maybe they had a whole stash of 5-speed inventory that had to get rid of lol. In any case, it's not a nice thing for owners who actually bought the 5-speed, when they had a perfectly good 7 to implement.

 

[K-A]

Since I consider myself to be fair and objective, to go along with proud and subjective, I will say that I saw a rare M-Pack'd WHITE F10 today, and it was a stunner.

Something about a pristine White sporty Sedan with some black and silver accents to highlight it.

Made me start thinking for a little bit.... j/k (kinda )

I do have to say though, I'm SO DAMN pissed at M-B for putting an AMG Pack on every damn E as a standard/no-cost option (and every new Benz period, practically). Now when I see an M-Pack F10 I fawn over it like it's an exotic, while the AMG Package is gorgeous, but common to the eye. I used to have that same "WOW" factor when I saw a W211 with AMG Package. On the other hand, the W212 having the AMG Package as standard keeps it consistently hot and holding presence, while the F10 is normally passive and lacking in certain visual allure unless I see it with M-Pack.

 

[Mr. M]

It did seem an odd move. Maybe the 7 speed wasn't optimised for the smaller engines yet? Or maybe they had a whole stash of 5-speed inventory that had to get rid of lol. In any case, it's not a nice thing for owners who actually bought the 5-speed, when they had a perfectly good 7 to implement.

Exactly. I guess the new engines were really so new MB needed more time to figure out how to integrate it with the 5-speeder. Anyway, I hear from my mechanics that the turbo petrols in the E200/E250 CGI uses the same K03 turbo in a VW MkV GTI!

 

[Human]

Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid

Mercedes E-Class Hybrid is the most efficient car in its class, with fuel economy of 67.3mpg

AE Rating: 4 Star

The new Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is now the most efficient large executive car on the market and it's also the first to come with a diesel-electric powertrain. But in one of the most competitive segments cars have to boast more than high economy figures.

This car is essentially a mix of an E250 CDI and an electric motor. That means it gets a 201bhp 2.1-litre four-cylinder diesel engine boosted by a 20kW motor. Together they help this car sprint from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and achieve 67.3mpg. By comparison, the standard Mercedes E250 CDI is 0.2 second slower to 62mph and can only manage 53.3mpg.

Crucially, the Hybrid reduces CO2 emissions to a class-leading 109g/km which has money-saving implications for company car drivers. Previously the cleanest E-Class emitted 129g/km.

Those class-leading figures aren't just achieved through the addition of the electric motor, but have been boosted by extras like stop/start and a 'sailing' mode. The latter works up to 100mph and keeps the car at a steady speed using the electric motor alone. In the real world it's a seamless process that you'll barely ever notice.

Aside from a few hybrid badges on the boot and on the centre console, this looks like any other E-Class and it drives much like one too. The impressive refinement is boosted even further by the silent low-speed manoeuvring and the extra 100kgs of weight added by the hybrid system hasn't had an impact on the excellent ride quality.

The E-Class doesn't pretend to be a driver's car and you shouldn't expect anything different from the Hybrid. The quick steering is responsive and there's enough grip to give you confidence in the corners but the soft suspension and lack of feedback aren't exactly a recipe for fun.

Drivers swapping out of a standard E-Class will notice a few differences in the driving experience though. Either it's the additional weight, the regenerative braking system or a combination of the two but the brakes feel as though they need a firmer push than usual to bring you to a halt. Three-point turns have become a slightly jerkier affair too, as the computers shuffle power around between the electric motor and engine.

Unlike other hybrid models – like the Citroen DS4 and Peugeot 3008 – the Mercedes set-up doesn't intrude in the cabin or in the boot, ensuring the E-Class is as practical as ever. In estate form that means it's not only the most efficient in its class, but it still boasts the most boot space too.

Mercedes hasn't yet announced full pricing details for the new E300 Hybrid but did say that it would cost 51,794 Euros in Germany and that should translate to a price of around £40,000 in the UK. That makes it far more expensive than any other eco-option in this class but Mercedes is also promising a very generous list of standard equipment.

Source & Photos
Read more: Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid review | Auto Express

 

[Soup]