Here, ladies and gentlemen, for you reading entertainment, is our third and final 2010 Mercedes E-Class Review Roundup installment (for the time being, at least).  In this episode, three of the new 2010 E-Class models are tested, with reviewers weighing in on the 2010 Mercedes E350 CGI, the 2010 E250 CDI and the 2010 E220 CDI.  As is the case with all our Mercedes Review Roundups, you can find excerpts from each article as well as links back to the full review immediately below.

Enjoy ladies and gentlemen.


2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 CGI (via Car)
Reviewer's rating:  

"What’s this CGI nonsense on the new Mercedes E-class all about?  Not computer generated imagery, that’s for sure. CGI is Merc-speak for the direct-injection system on its petrol engines. And alongside the CGI technology, all E-classes are BlueEfficiency-equipped, the Swabians' term for its eco-friendly tweaks that include low rolling resistance tyres, active aerodynamics and energy-saving control of the fuel-pump, alternator and air conditioning system.

It’s just a pity that on the road the 3.5-litre V6 doesn’t feel as punchy as the figures of 288bhp and 269lb ft would suggest. Why? Because you really need to rev this six-cylinder above 4500rpm to get the best out of it, but in doing so you enter a realm of noise that you wouldn’t normally associate with a Mercedes.  But this engine’s saviour is the standard (of course) seven-speed automatic. It doesn’t slur or jolt at low speeds and full-bore upshifts are almost imperceptible – it’s a brilliant gearbox. And it helps the E350 CGI turn in 33.2mpg and 199g/km.

So what happens when I punt this E350 CGI down my favourite road?  You’ll discover that Mercedes has finally arrived at the handling party, and that the new E is so good you’ll actually want to retrace your tyretracks. That’s not something we would have said of the old car.  Mercedes’ sport-biased Direct Steering is now weightier and more direct, with no lifeless play around the straight-ahead. And the Direct Control dampers nicked from the C-class automatically stiffen when needed, yet the ride quality this Mercedes manages is surely enough to make it a class-leader – and that’s without air suspension. You can go hard, or cruise along, and the E will excel at both.

Surely there’s some fancy kit I should know about?  Of course – Mercedes has never shied away from loading up its big saloons with a mind-boggling array of computer hardware that only the Swabians think we need. But this time Merc has come good - alongside the standard-fit pop-up bonnet and seven airbags all Es have Attention Assist, which monitors steering inputs and a plethora of other parameters to make sure you don’t fall asleep behind the wheel. And because it’s actually a pretty cheap system to make, it’ll be standard on all Mercedes within the next three years.  But if that’s not enough then you can get blindspot and lane departure warning systems, keyless go, radar-guided cruise control and a system that reads speed limit signs.

Those that choose to get driven around in an E-class will enjoy the experience. It’s big in the back (and up front), rides smoothly and has regained the traditional rock-like solidity that the old car so sorely lacked.  But if you slip behind the wheel you’ll discover an E-class that’s as good to drive as BMW's 5-series, and that should have the Bavarians very worried indeed. It’s the perfect blend of the sportiness of the C-class and the luxury of the S-class."

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2010 Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI (via Autocar.co.uk)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"This is the new Mercedes E250 CDI SE BlueEfficiency, the big-selling version of the new E-class. It is the one car Mercedes has traditionally relied upon to boost its bottom line. But after more than a decade of niggling quality problems, the E-class’s once-glittering image has become somewhat tarnished.  No surprise, then, that Mercedes is talking up the perceived robustness of the new model – the W212 as it is known internally – describing it has the toughest E-class of all time. It is a bold claim.

The Mercedes E250 CDI SE BlueEfficiency could never really be described as a performance car. Still, with a 0-62mph time of 7.2sec (auto), it is encouragingly quick off the line and, with a prodigious 368lb ft of torque arriving at just 1600rpm, gathers speed with enthusiasm.  Once the initial rush subsides, the E250 CDI SE BlueEfficiency settles into its stride with a less frantic – but still convincing – degree of shove all the way to the 5000rpm red line.  For all this, the E250 CDI’s best work is done while cruising on part throttle. At a constant 75mph, the E250 CDI is barely pulling 2000rpm in fifth gear. And it does this while returning a claimed 47.1mpg in automatic guise which, in turn, provides it with CO2 emissions of 159g/km.

There is, however, a curious weak point in the E250 CDI’s driveline. Mercedes has decided, presumably for cost reasons, to provide all four-cylinder diesel versions of the new E-class with its old five-speed automatic gearbox.  It is an odd move, given the clear focus placed on fuel economy and emissions with the new car. It ultimately fails to operate in quite the same crisp and intuitive fashion as the more modern seven-speed automatic offered on other E-class models.

The Mercedes E250 CDI SE BlueEfficiency is a big car, weighing all of 1660kg, but it feels much smaller on challenging roads. It is not quite as agile as the smaller and lighter C-class, but there is not much separating them.  The new E-class also boasts enhanced low-speed manoeuvrability. The variable-ratio steering reduces the amount of lock required around town by almost 15 per cent, and the turning circle has been cut by almost 15cm.

But what about the E-class’s legendary ride? A final appraisal will have to wait until we get to drive the new E-class in the UK, but over the Spanish roads we tested it on there was sufficient evidence to suggest the new suspension, with an extra 5mm of spring travel both front and rear, is at least as cosseting as that of the old model. "

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2010 Mercedes-Benz E220 CDI (via Autocar.co.uk)
Reviewer's rating:  Unspecified

"This is the Mercedes E220 CDI, which from launch will be the entry point in the new E-class line up until a cheaper Mercedes E200 CDI becomes available. Until September the Mercedes E220 CDI will also only be available with the five-speed automatic gearbox.  The engine in the Mercedes E220 CDI is basically the same 2.1-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel found in the E250 CDI, but with the wick turned down. Power drops from 201hp to 168hp, and torque from 369lb ft to 295lb ft. While the official fuel figures and CO2 ratings are unchanged; in practice you may see better economy from the E220 CDI.

The Mercedes E220 CDI retains the new E-class’s main strength: a tangible return to the old Mercedes qualities of robustness and refinement. It’s an impressively polished product.  Exterior noise is kept to a minimum and, although the four-cylinder diesel doesn’t quite have the hushed qualities of a six-cylinder, it’s perfectly tolerable. In comparison with the E250 CDI, the pegged-back outputs of the Mercedes E220 CDI are noticeable (adding nearly a second to the 0-62mph time), but for the most part its performance is entirely adequate. Occasionally you have to work the engine a little harder to build speed quickly, but that’s about it.

All steel-sprung E-classes (Airmatic isn’t an option on diesel models) get Direct Control suspension with hydraulically self-adjusting dampers. Although the two-stage system is hardly at the cutting edge of technology it works very well, mixing a supple and cosseting ride with accurate and controlled handling. At least that was the experience on our Spanish test route.

Stung by previous criticism of its pricing, Mercedes UK is increasing equipment levels to make the E-class more competitive. Entry-spec SE models get 16in alloys, climate control, front and rear parking sensors and heated front seats as standard. Avantgarde trim adds leather, LED running lights and a 15mm lower ride height. Sport brings an AMG styling kit and Mercedes’ variable ratio Direct Steering.

The only real sticking point with the new Mercedes E220 CDI is the styling, which looks a little forced from some angles. But get past that and there is very little reason not to like it.  The Jaguar XF may be more sleek and stylish, but it isn’t nearly as practical, especially for rear-seat passengers. The E-class can’t match the BMW 5-series for agility either, but it is more comfortable and, in its own way, no less enjoyable to drive."

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And to Shiv, for a third time:  many thanks for the tips my good man; we sincerely appreciate them.