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Mercedez-Benz E280
Technical ecstasy
It's amazing what a facelift can do. The current E-Class always looked sleek and royal, but Ulysses Ang thinks the refreshed version is a head-turner.
Photography by Ulysses Ang and Jason Ang
Walk up to the NEW 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class and you'd swear nothing has changed since 2002. You'd think that Stuttgart had slacked off and lost their touch with modernity.
Wrong.
You'd be surprised that although the aesthetic changes are relatively minor, more than 2,000 parts have been changed or improved.
Of course, with a highly loyal clientele and a commanding 38-percent market share in its segment in Western Europe (60 percent worldwide), it seemed that Mercedes engineers didn't want to tamper too much with a proven formula.
From the outside, the most noticeable difference (relatively speaking) is the larger front grille. The four ovoid headlamps, introduced first in the W210 model, have been refreshed with a new reflector design incorporating a new LED-type park lamp. At the back, the slats on the triangular tail lamps disappear and in comes a lengthy chrome strip—first seen in the company's S-Class model.
Indeed, for all intents and purposes, the E-Class is the wallflower of the luxury car segment—not too flashy but with still enough gravitas to make every policeman and village guard salute.
Inside, the evolutionary take on the E-Class is carried on. Designers eschewed gimmickry controls for intuitively operated switches to achieve a clear layout. Some may not like the button-filled cabin, but it's relatively easy to understand and everything is within easy reach.
Everyone agrees, though, that the cabin feels solid and well-executed. The burr-walnut trim stretching the entire length of the cabin from the center console to the back, is a particularly nice touch as are the split three-piece center console and supportive leather seats. The instrumentation is clean but a bit odd with a large analogue clock taking as much space as the tachometer (it seems Germans are anal with time).
The trim level tested (Elegance) is the E-Class' most popular line. It feels a bit geriatric, but it does give new meaning to 'occupant pampering'. There's a power moon roof, active rear blinds, a high-fidelity audio system with Harman-Kardon speakers and a quad-zone climate control system.
On hand for the test is an E280, basically the local E-Class' most powerful variant. Despite what it says on the boot, it's powered by a new 3.0-liter V6 with 227 horsepower and 300Nm of torque. It certainly doesn't wet your appetite on paper, but it propels this 1,785-kilogram sedan pretty well, thanks to its fat torque band (peak torque from 2,500 to 5,000rpm).
Off the line, the E280 feels quick on its feet and the brand-new seven-speed automatic mates itself well with the engine, producing smooth and responsive acceleration. What's more is it easily adapts to your driving style— holding gear when necessary and changing gears with little hesitation. There are two pre-programmed shift modes called “Comfort” and “Sport”, but even after a long drive, there's no discernable difference between the two.
The ultra-smooth behavior of the drivetrain makes it clear that the E280 isn't a car you bring on the racetrack. Engineers reckon that the handling has been quickened, thanks to a quicker steering ratio, but on the road it doesn't feel it. Handling still isn't as sharp as its rivals', but it's certainly not wooden either. The E280 feels composed and relaxed, but when pushed, it will handle. A revised suspension package makes the E-Class ride surreally smooth, while class-leading NVH isolates even the harshest environmental noise.
Making an exit on the E-Class is the brake-by-wire system dubbed 'Servotronic Brake Control.' Aside from causing a lot of recalls for Mercedes, the jerky on-off actuation certainly didn't give it many fans. In its place is a conventional hydraulic braking system with much better modulation and control. Mercedes, being the technological-minded company that it is, added adaptive brake technology—a system that automatically dries up soaked brakes (during wet-weather driving) and preps them up in an emergency situation.
| E280 Elegance |
| We say: The competition has never been tougher. But the E still retains and exudes the Benz brand values. |
Price: P4,980,000
Engine: 3.0L V6
Power: 227hp
Torque: 300Nm
Transmission: 7-speed A/T
Layout/Seating: RWD/5
|
Aside from the revolutionary brakes, the E-Class comes with tons of safety features, including Pre-Safe (automated accident anticipatory detection system), Neck-Pro (anti-whiplash headrests), tire pressure monitor, vehicle stability control system, and of course, an eight-airbag system. Absent is the option of run-flat tires. Mercedes says it will ruin the E-Class' long-distance touring comfort—a core strength of the car.
Spending time behind the wheel of the E-Class puts out a clear message that Mercedes-Benz continues to be the leader in occupant comfort and driving technology. It may not shout its way around with a flashy design or take corners like a sports car, but the E280 is the choice for those who prefer technical superiority and ownership value. The Mercedes-Benz E280 is like a classic timepiece: elegance that will remain fresh through the years, or even decades, to come.
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Top Gear Philippines - April 2007
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