2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
Mercedes has given its E-Class a facelift after three years. Not much of it can be seen. But a lot has happened under the sheet metal.
By Stefan Grundhoff
Especially among company cars, the Mercedes E-Class is still the dream of many kilometers eater. The volume model is and remains even after the most recent revision of the E 220 CDI, freshly boosted to 170 hp. However, many private Mercedes drivers can still warm to a gasoline engine. Is the small E 200 supercharger an interesting alternative to the diesel or is there no avoiding the six-cylinder versions of the E 280 or E 350?
Mercedes attaches great importance to the fact that a lot has changed due to the latest facelift - mind you under the sheet metal. The outfit is almost unchanged compared to the previous variant. Apart from new aprons, nothing has changed. However, the E 200 compressor in particular should be of greater importance in the future.
Around 37,000 euros starting price
The supercharged four-cylinder, still only 1.8 liters in size, has received a boost in power. Entry into the petrol E-Class costs at least 37,178 euros. But there is solid equipment and at least 135 kW / 183 PS. This makes the E 200 compressor anything but a lame bird. But the concentrated feed cannot be seen in the Stuttgart man. The maximum torque of 250 Nm at 3500 rpm ensures powerful propulsion from medium speeds. A top speed of over 230 km / h can also be heard and felt. 0 to 100 km / h in 9.4 seconds also meet the requirements of a four-cylinder.
However, the sound of the short-stroke engine may not suit an elegant sedan like the E-Class. In return, the small motor can be moved with very little consumption, not only in partial load operation. With a cautious foot on the accelerator, well under seven liters of premium fuel can be achieved per 100 kilometers. Even at high speed on the autobahn, you stay below ten liters and an average of just under nine liters run through the injectors.
The strong points
But if you are interested in the well-coordinated automatic, you shouldn't be shy about the surcharge of 3,500 euros. The E 280 with its 231 hp three-liter V6 is more sovereign in all respects and also not a swallower. When it comes to the chassis, there are no differences between four and six cylinders. The package of springs, dampers and brakes has been one of the Stuttgart's strong points since the W-211 series was launched.
The 1.6 ton rear-wheel drive car is extremely comfortable and very well coordinated. The steering alone could react more precisely to commands from the pilot. The facelift has not changed anything noticeable in terms of the overall coordination. Mercedes attaches great importance to solidity when advertising the new E-Class. The pithy slogan reveals: the E-Class was run in well - over 5,598,650 kilometers. You can tell. Nothing rattles or rattles here, even during cobblestone orgies.
«Intelligent light»
In the interior there is also the tried and tested good picture. The materials are of high quality and the service is impeccable. A little more design could have been accommodated in the new model in the dashboard and panels. The chic also comes off a bit in the latest generation of the E-Class. The same applies to the standard equipment. You can't get more than solid home-style cooking from Swabia. The highly touted high-tech headlights with the very good Intelligent Light System cost 1618 euros and thus another 500 euros more than the normal xenon equipment.
Interesting security extras are brought to market differently. Naturally, things like a through-loading option (504 euros), can holders (58 euros) or folding exterior mirrors (261 euros) still cost extra. Those who want to see the good leather upholstered seating or be guided safely to their destination by a route guide pay a lot more. A properly equipped Mercedes E 200 compressor can hardly be obtained for less than 45,000 euros. In return, the competition already gives you a six-cylinder with a good image. The bottom line is that the diesel brother E 220 CDI will not only be the better alternative because of better resale.
