Mercedes E-Class

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a mid-sized luxury automobile sold by the Mercedes-Benz branch of Daimler-Chrysler. The E stood for Einspritzung, which is German for fuel injection, which was a very new feature at the time the "E" first appeared in the 1950s. The E-Class is the bestselling Mercedes-Benz model worldwide. Recent updates to the model were introduced in 1996 and 2003.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Has Long Been A Favourite Amongst Executive Buyers, But June Neary Wants One As Her Everyday Ride

The Mercedes E-Class has long had a reputation as a safe, well-engineered car with a strong brand image. The only downside was its somewhat stodgy driving characteristics. The latest generation of E-Class models have rectified that fault and are now recognised as clearly the best around. If you want to project an image that nothing but the best will do, the E-Class is a sound choice.

The look that was so right in 1998 with the design of the S-Class has worn well and gives the E-Class an arresting profile. The bevels and scallops in its flanks also create more of a studiously designed look than its slab-sided predecessor. The interior styling is much like the luxurious S-Class. The fascia bulges outwards as if pumped to 100psi, my E350 test car featuring over 70 assorted knobs, buttons, switches and dials.

Mercedes traditionally offer a wide range of engines from which to choose and the E-Class is no exception. When it was first launched, the entry-level engine was the 2.6-litre E240, but a supercharged 163bhp E200K model now slots in beneath the V6 E280 which in turn is followed by the 3.5-litre V6 (E350) and a V8 5.0-litre petrol (E500) thats good for no less than 306bhp.

Those with long memories will no doubt recall the E500 of 1986, developed in partnership with AMG and boasting no fewer than 326bhp. Fear not. Should you hanker after obscene levels of power, youll merely need a large bank balance to invest in the 476bhp E55 AMG flagship.

More significantly, we also get an economical and refined E320CDI diesel. Talking of diesel engines, the E220 CDI is likely to be the volume seller, combining as it does an attractive price tag with the double whammy of 133mph/10.4sec performance and an average fuel return of over 42mpg. If this 148bhp powerplant doesnt get you moist in anticipation, the 190bhp E280CDI unit should do the trick.

Heres a diesel engine that can manage 40mpg yet sprint to 60mph in 7.6 seconds and pound autobahns all day at 148mph. The downside? Youll need to stump up over £32K for the privilege. Whoever said the best things in life were free obviously never test drove one of these.

Above this model theres the E320CDI which is, predictably, more powerful and more expensive. The E350 I drove was fitted with Mercedes excellent 7G-TRONIC automatic gearboxes (best to steer clear of their manual boxes) and would slur between gears so smoothly that only by glancing at the rev counter could you sometimes detect a gearchange. Variable assistance power steering makes manoeuvring at low speed simplicity itself whilst at motorway speeds theres a decent amount of feel. Safety and security facilities are both top notch.

For information on the history of Mercedes cars, visit the website: www.lapcr.com/mercedes_history_and_models