REVIEW: New Mercedes E-Class blends traditional elegance and tech savvy
Our test car was powered by Merc’s latest 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, which feels as clatter free, from the superbly insulated interior, as you could possibly expect at this level.
It produces 145kW at 3,600rpm, with a 17kW mild hybrid boost momentarily available when called upon, while 440Nm is available from 1,800 to 2,800rpm. A 150kW 2.0-litre petrol engine is also available in the new E-Class.
Mercedes claims a fuel consumption figure of 5.5 litres per 100km for the diesel, and a zero to 100km/h sprint should take around 7.6 seconds. It’s not what I’d call a fast car by any means, but if an economical cruiser with relatively effortless performance is what you’re after, you’ve come to the right place.
It’s a really comfortable driving experience all round, and it feels surprisingly agile, in spite of the vehicle’s generous dimensions, with a length of nearly five metres.
The new E-Class is an elegant and satisfying nod to its long line of predecessors, while also managing to dazzle onlookers with its modern and captivating technology. It’s just a pity that most of the cool new tech features cost over and above the list price of R1,436 million.