Interconnect

Motoring | 26 October 2002

A review of the new Mercedes E-Class saloon

I confess bias: I like Mercedes. I’ve owned several, though by the time they got down to my level they were getting on a bit. But they last, these beasts with the three-point star, which is one of the reasons we respect them. How many other up-market breeds do you find serving out their last decade as African taxis bouncing along pot-holed dirt roads, and still getting you there?

It’s a treat, therefore, when a brand new one comes to stay for a few days, delivered to your door. This is the chief perk of being a motoring correspondent, regarded by everyone else as compensation for inadequate pay. When the car is the new E-Class saloon, it’s hard to argue.

I had the petrol E 320 V6 model. Having driven its earlier S-Class variant, I knew this engine was powerful and flexible but was still surprised by the electronic tweakings they’ve contrived for this model. The figures – 0-62.5mph in 7.7 seconds, maximum speed 149mph – are plenty fast enough for most of us, but they feel like an underestimate when you take handling into account. This car has the agility and sure-footedness of a super-feline. I drove it as fast as I dared on a long winding road with swan’s-neck bends, no braking, just power off or on, and it went like a rattle-snake.

You can set up the suspension to standard or winter (slower) driving at the click of a button, but, for me, the key to its pleasurable performance was the electronically adaptive accelerator, which adjusts itself to your style. That brings the five-speed automatic gearbox into play just when you want it. And if that’s not good enough you can use the Tipfunction to change manually with a touch on the selector.

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