E-Class speaks for itself
At the recent launch of the 2007 E-Class, Mercedes-Benz mouthpiece Geoff Day asserted the company has no plans to dismantle BMW’s hegemony as the sports-sedan kingpin.
But could it speak for itself, which, it does quite eloquently, the car might beg to differ.
With the dramatically updated midsize E-Class, Mercedes introduces what it calls a new “2-prong strategy,” in which Luxury and Sport trim levels are equals and will carry an identical $51,125 price tag, inclusive of destination charges.
Both trims are powered by the same set of engine choices — a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V-6 is standard, with a new 382-hp, 5.5-liter V-8 as the optional choice — and use the same seven-speed automatic transmission.
E550 trims ride on an Airmatic suspension, with three firmness settings, while the E350 uses steel springs. In both trims, dual Comfort/Sport settings alter engine and transmission response.
An array of functional and cosmetic details differentiate the two trims, each of which is also outfitted with the same low-key opulence for which the E-Class has become famous.
The Sport trim receives a lowered and performance-optimized suspension — it rides about an inch lower that Luxury-trimmed models — as well as 18-inch, 10-spoke wheels with staggered wheel widths front-to-rear, cross-drilled front brake discs and a silver, four-piston fixed front-brake caliper.
Out back, dual oval exhaust tips peek out from under the rear bumper. In luxury models, they’re tucked demurely out of site.
On Sport trims, the steering ratio is 10 percent more direct than on the Luxury trim.
Cosmetic differentiators include blue-tinted windows, a chrome grille with black inserts, chrome fog lamp trim and unique interior color choices.
We drove Luxury and Sport trims of the E550 and found both to be engaging and willing partners on the hilly country roads that connect the pastoral wine-country setting of Napa Valley with the rugged Mendocino County coastline.
Both trims are nicely balanced front-to-rear and E-Class takes a neutral stance during aggressive cornering. Suspension engineers have dialed back the electronic babysitters and the vehicle stability control system is far less intrusive than on previous models.
There are no surprises mid-turn as the E-Class transitions to mild oversteer.
The Sport trim has more aggressive steering settings and providesquicker and more precise turn-in characteristics and gives the driver moredetailed information about the road surface.
On the freeway, the E-Class in either trim is a quiet, comfortable and stable long-distance cruiser.
Mercedes used the launch to announce the coming addition of a new Bluetec diesel option, due in October, when U.S. pumps have transitioned to the new low-sulfur diesel fuel.
With a torque rating of 388 foot-pounds — 100 percent of which is available at 1,600 rpm — that engine will be no slouch. M-B estimates 0-60 mph times of 6.6 seconds, just a tick off the 6.5 times estimated for the 3.5-liter gas-powered six.
For those whose need for power knows no bounds, M-B also made official the advent of the AMG-prepared E63, a 502-hp fire-breather that will be available in sedan and wagon body styles.
Its 6.3-liter V-8 was developed by M-B’s in-house tuner subsidiary AMG, turns out 465 lb-ft of torque and is said to rip through the 0-60 sprint in, oh, 4.3 seconds.
Geoff Day may have been speaking straight up when he eschewed pursuit of BMW but this much is certain – the boys at M-B aren’t about to let their friends from Bavaria out of site.