2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
by Jim Prueter -12/2010
E-Class earns AAA Top Picks selection
Mercedes best-selling E-Class vehicles have been around for over 50 years and last year the model, whose look had grown frumpy and dated over the years, underwent a complete redesign. At the same time, Mercedes also brought back a coupe companion to replace the long-lived and outdated CLK model.
Foregoing the SUV/Crossover craze sweeping the nation, for 2011 Mercedes adds a convertible (cabriolet in Mercedes speak) and a station wagon. The E-Class wagon (E350) comes only one way; it features a 268-hp V6, 4Matic all-wheel drive, third-row rear-facing seat and rear air suspension. It is offered in either Sport or Luxury editions. A V8 and diesel V6, available in other E-Class models, are not offered here.
Although the E-Class sedan and wagon are a bit larger and built on an all-new chassis, the E-Class coupe and cabriolet (tested here) use the platform of the smaller C-Class and have an appearance strikingly similar to that of the brand’s larger CL-Class.
The coupe comes in two versions: the E350 ($48,850) powered by a 268 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission good for a 0-60-mph sprint of 6.2 seconds; or E550 ($55,450) featuring a 5.5-liter, 382-hp V8 that covers the same distance in just five seconds flat (visit www.aaa.com for a complete review of the 2010 E350 coupe). The engine offerings are carryovers from the CLK, nothing new here. The E550 gets bigger brakes, wheels and tires along with adaptive suspension. New for 2011 is the high-performance E63 AMG coupe powered by a handcrafted 518-hp V8 mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. It comes at a whopping base price of $87,600.
The mid-size four-door Benz, the company’s best selling model worldwide, is larger and better equipped than the previous generation and in terms of performance is nearly equal to that of its coupe and cabriolet siblings. We’ll cover the sedan in a separate review later this year.
We tested the E350 Cabriolet, a vehicle that borders on automotive perfection in both appearance and drive performance. It is nothing short of flat-out gorgeous. Like the coupe, the cabriolet grille is a near carryover from the C-Class with black-mesh intakes on the lower front fascia along with fog lights lending it a tough athletic appearance. Fender flares are protuberant, a look carried over from the larger S-Class.
Inside, the cabin is contemporary and luxurious with standard fine-grain leather upholstery covering everything including the steering wheel, hand polished burl walnut wood trim and jewel-like gauges. Fourteen-way heavily bolstered seats with three-stage heaters and four-way lumbar support prevent back-end fatigue on even the longest drives.
Rear seats in most convertibles are almost always void of room, but we found the E350 to be an exception. Still legroom is best suited to small- to medium-sized adults. And remember that this is a four-seat car and even getting into the rear with the top in the up position can be a challenge. A fold-down center console/armrest splits the back seats.
Slip behind the wheel and safety-belt presenters move forward so you don’t have to reach back to find them. Once clicked, they automatically slide back into place.
The stylish dash is trimmed with chrome and wood pieces to complement the six-gauge instrument panel. The leather-wrapped steering wheel power tilts and telescopes, and includes redundant audio and Bluetooth controls.
One of the three stylish switches on the center armrest lowers the four-ply soft top, which equals the thickness of a metal fixed roof, in 20 seconds (22 to close), while lowering all windows simultaneously. Another switch raises all four windows at once. The top completely disappears into the trunk, eliminating the need for a boot.
A third switch raises a wind deflector that’s integrated with the rear headrests. The front headrests include a system Mercedes calls AIRSCARF, which blows warm air around the necks of both front seat occupants in cooler weather.
There’s a new air deflector that Mercedes calls AIRCAP. Located above the header, it rises when the roof is retracted and further reduces cabin air turbulence. There’s not much trunk space with the top lowered, however, a week’s worth or groceries, a large suitcase or a couple of smaller suitcases will fit with the top in the up position.
We thought the 268-hp aluminum V6 that powered our cabriolet tester was surprisingly powerful, accelerating from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 6.7 seconds, and wouldn’t part with the additional $9,000 plus for the larger 382-hp V8 that reduces the acceleration time to 4.6 seconds.
Driving the cabriolet differs little from either the coupe or sedan E-Class models. Cowl shake, common in nearly every drop-top, is completely absent on the Mercedes E350.
The vehicle comes loaded with standard features and enough high tech stuff to merits college credit if you make it through the thousand-page owners manual and get everything to work on the first try.
Standard safety gear includes all the expected airbags (nine total with the option of two more), plus driver knee airbag. Also standard is ATTENTION ASSIST, a driver drowsiness monitor that senses when you’re nodding off with a bobbing head and displays the message: “Time for a rest?” There’s also the standard Pre-Safe, which uses the stability control system sensors to detect impending collisions. It tightens up the seat belts, closes the sunroof (on fixed roof models) and moves the front passenger seat into a more favorable crash position.
We did find it odd that the blind spot and lane departure warning systems are offered on the sedan, but not the coupe or cabriolet.
The new cabriolet hasn’t been crash tested by either the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety or the U.S. Government. However, both the coupe and sedan earned four out of five possible stars for front driver and passenger collisions, five stars for side impact and rollover crash test results, and the highest possible “Good” rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Our diamond white (extra $1515) test car drew no shortage of positive reactions from most who came in contact with it and countless offers to do the testing for me.
Loaded with new standard features like the pelvic and knee air bags, driver drowsiness sensor and ample Mercedes luxury, the athletic and beguiling E350 cabriolet, while expensive, is well worth the price for anybody considering a drop top who can afford it.
While competition in this mid-level luxury-class is torrid, for 2011, we give the nod to the dizzying array of Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles. With new styles, model offerings and engine choices, the E-Class from Mercedes seems to be the premier example of how good a product line can be.
