Mercedes-Benz R-Class Test Drive Review
Car tested: 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 66,51,670/-
Mercedes-Benz launched the R-Class in India in October last year. The R-Class is the first full size luxury MPV in the country and made its global debut in 2006. Based on the Vision GST (Grand Sports Tourer) concept, the R-Class is built on the W251 chassis, and is positioned between the M-Class and the GL-Class. It was initially marketed by Mercedes-Benz as a Sports Cruiser and later as a Family Tourer, we find out exactly what it is in this review of the 2011 Mercedes R-Class.
Exteriors – At the front end, the bonnet, wings, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper have been completely redesigned from the previous generation. In conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps, a chrome insert enhances the integrated LED daytime driving lights. The bonnet has marked contours, and is more arrow-shaped at the front edge. The wider, higher radiator grille is more steeply angled, while the bumper cladding is more striking, with clear-cut lines. The side recesses in the bumper, where the fog lamps and daytime driving lights are located, are spaced well apart and give the front section an impression of width.
With the coupé-like lines of the window area, the larger exterior mirror housings are set well away from the doors and are held by slim stems. The mirror housings in the vehicle colour have integrated indicator repeaters in the form of a stylised arrow. The rear section continues the design idiom of the front, with a new bumper cladding, modified tail lights, a diffuser and integrated tailpipe trim emphasizing the width with more horizontal structures, as at the front. The bumper also picks up the line of the side skirts, giving the effect of a continuous line running around the entire bodywork. Tail lights with LED and fibre optic technology, new exterior contours and horizontally arranged lighting functions lend the finishing touches to the rear section.
Interiors – The interiors of the R-Class feature two-tone appointments, where the base colour almond beige can be combines with the contrasting shade mocha brown. The colour combinations are used on the dashboard, steering wheel, centre console, seats, door linings and floor coverings. The design is very similar to the M-Class, however where the R-Class is different is the sheer level of space it offers in all rows.
The R-Class has been positioned as the royal class of family cars and the space justifies the tagline. There is more than ample amount of legroom in the second row, almost equal to that of a luxury car. Get into the third row and you will surprised that tall people can get in there too and not feel uncomfortable. Every passenger has got AC vents around him and lots of cup holders too. The seats are very comfortable with excellent support. The second row of seats have an LCD each behind the front seats, which can play DVD and USB.
The dials and needles have a white background and are easy to read. The display on the instrument cluster tells you a host of details including time, tyre pressure, audio details and various other tidbits when the car is performing any action (i.e. lowering or getting raised). The Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system is one of the best sounding system we have come across.
Should you need to carry alot of luggage, the last row of seats fold. The tail gate has a button which when pressed closes the boot automatically. No need to manual exert pressure on the lid. It even has a sensor, which stops the boot from closing should something come in between.
Ride, Handling and Braking – A family carrier has to ride well and the R-Class does that with excellence. The ride can be adjusted to comfort or sport through a button on the center console. The low ground clearance can be an issue on rough roads, but you can increase the height of the nose by 2 inches via a button. Once the car crosses a certain speed, it again lowers the car automatically.
The R350 is not light by any means but when turned to sports setting it handles quite sharply for an MPV of this size. The car has various systems to ensure it goes where you point it, including an ESP system with trailer stabilization. What it essentially does is, it ensures the driver does not loose control even when he is towing a trailer by activating brakes and controlling the back and forth movement of the trailer. Not that we would be using this feature in India much. Brakes have a good amount of play but are very sharp and halt this two tonne monster in quick time.
Performance – The R-Class is powered by a 3498cc V6 petrol engine, which produces 272 bhp of power at 6000 RPM and 350 NM of torque between 2400 – 5000 RPM. While all this may sound good enough for a sports saloon, it is just about adequate for a vehicle tipping the scales at 2.2 tonnes. At lower revvs, the R350 feels underpowered and there is not much torque for city driving. When you floor the car, response is not that quick either and the 7G-Tronic box shifts into the next gear at just 5000 RPM. Activate the manual mode via the paddles on the steering wheel and everything changes. The R-Class all of a sudden senses urgency, it gains revvs very quickly and reaches 6800 RPM in no time. The sound at high revvs from this motor is absolute nirvana and in manual mode the gasoline motor in the R feels all of a sudden more than capable for the job.
However, a petrol powertrain for a family MPV seems quite ridiculous. We say so because the R-Class delivers a mileage of 5-6 kmpl in auto mode, which comes down to 4-5 kmpl when you start using the paddles. We don’t blame the engine at all, it is a fantastic unit. But it is not suited to a car weighing in excess of 2200 kgs. The R-Class also features 4Matic, which is Mercedes way of saying 4-wheel drive. This makes the car have average off-roading abilities. We say average, because even when the nose is raised, the R-Class cannot go on slushy terrain
Conclusion – The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a fantastic MPV. It has loads of space, excellent features, lot of safety equipment and one of the few cars in the market with ample amount of space for both passengers and luggage. However the company could have opted for a diesel engine considering the R-Class is a CBU. With petrol prices rising, a petrol powered R-Class does not make much sense but for those who can afford to run on gasoline, there are very few things which you can find at fault with this luxurious people carrier.
Whats Cool
* Interior Finish
* Space
* Ride quality
* Engine sound
* Very well damped and lack of any kind of NVH
Whats Not So Cool
* Looks don’t please all
* Low end engine reponse
* Fuel efficiency
Mercedes-Benz R-Class Specifications : -
* Engine: 3498cc, V6
* Power: 272bhp @ 6000rpm
* Torque: 350Nm @ 2400~5000rpm
* Transmission: 7 G-Tronic
* Drive Type: All Wheel Drive
* Top Speed: 230kmph
* 0-100kmph: 8.3 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 05-06 kmpl (City), 06-07 kmpl (highway)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: DIRECT CONTROL suspension with selective damping syste
* Tires: 255/55/18 Tubeless Radials
* Brakes: Mechanical-hydraulic, dual circuit with ABS
* Safety: ABS, ESP, Dual SRS front airbags, Side airbags, Immobilizer, Seat belt warning , Adaptive high beam assist, Parking guidance system, Drowsiness detection system, LED daytime running lights
Mercedes-Benz R-Class Dimensions : -
* Overall length x width x height: 5157 mm X 1922mm X 1674mm
* Wheelbase:: 3215mm
* Front/Rear Track: 1661/1651 mm
* Turning Radius – 6.3m
* Ground clearance: 160mm
* Boot Volume: 633 liters (with third row folded)
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres (13 reserve)
* Kerb Weight: 2230 kgs
* Co-efficient of drag: 0.32
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 66,51,670/-
Mercedes-Benz launched the R-Class in India in October last year. The R-Class is the first full size luxury MPV in the country and made its global debut in 2006. Based on the Vision GST (Grand Sports Tourer) concept, the R-Class is built on the W251 chassis, and is positioned between the M-Class and the GL-Class. It was initially marketed by Mercedes-Benz as a Sports Cruiser and later as a Family Tourer, we find out exactly what it is in this review of the 2011 Mercedes R-Class.
Exteriors – At the front end, the bonnet, wings, radiator grille, headlamps and bumper have been completely redesigned from the previous generation. In conjunction with bi-xenon headlamps, a chrome insert enhances the integrated LED daytime driving lights. The bonnet has marked contours, and is more arrow-shaped at the front edge. The wider, higher radiator grille is more steeply angled, while the bumper cladding is more striking, with clear-cut lines. The side recesses in the bumper, where the fog lamps and daytime driving lights are located, are spaced well apart and give the front section an impression of width.
With the coupé-like lines of the window area, the larger exterior mirror housings are set well away from the doors and are held by slim stems. The mirror housings in the vehicle colour have integrated indicator repeaters in the form of a stylised arrow. The rear section continues the design idiom of the front, with a new bumper cladding, modified tail lights, a diffuser and integrated tailpipe trim emphasizing the width with more horizontal structures, as at the front. The bumper also picks up the line of the side skirts, giving the effect of a continuous line running around the entire bodywork. Tail lights with LED and fibre optic technology, new exterior contours and horizontally arranged lighting functions lend the finishing touches to the rear section.
Interiors – The interiors of the R-Class feature two-tone appointments, where the base colour almond beige can be combines with the contrasting shade mocha brown. The colour combinations are used on the dashboard, steering wheel, centre console, seats, door linings and floor coverings. The design is very similar to the M-Class, however where the R-Class is different is the sheer level of space it offers in all rows.
The R-Class has been positioned as the royal class of family cars and the space justifies the tagline. There is more than ample amount of legroom in the second row, almost equal to that of a luxury car. Get into the third row and you will surprised that tall people can get in there too and not feel uncomfortable. Every passenger has got AC vents around him and lots of cup holders too. The seats are very comfortable with excellent support. The second row of seats have an LCD each behind the front seats, which can play DVD and USB.
The dials and needles have a white background and are easy to read. The display on the instrument cluster tells you a host of details including time, tyre pressure, audio details and various other tidbits when the car is performing any action (i.e. lowering or getting raised). The Harman Kardon Logic 7 surround sound system is one of the best sounding system we have come across.
Should you need to carry alot of luggage, the last row of seats fold. The tail gate has a button which when pressed closes the boot automatically. No need to manual exert pressure on the lid. It even has a sensor, which stops the boot from closing should something come in between.
Ride, Handling and Braking – A family carrier has to ride well and the R-Class does that with excellence. The ride can be adjusted to comfort or sport through a button on the center console. The low ground clearance can be an issue on rough roads, but you can increase the height of the nose by 2 inches via a button. Once the car crosses a certain speed, it again lowers the car automatically.
The R350 is not light by any means but when turned to sports setting it handles quite sharply for an MPV of this size. The car has various systems to ensure it goes where you point it, including an ESP system with trailer stabilization. What it essentially does is, it ensures the driver does not loose control even when he is towing a trailer by activating brakes and controlling the back and forth movement of the trailer. Not that we would be using this feature in India much. Brakes have a good amount of play but are very sharp and halt this two tonne monster in quick time.
Performance – The R-Class is powered by a 3498cc V6 petrol engine, which produces 272 bhp of power at 6000 RPM and 350 NM of torque between 2400 – 5000 RPM. While all this may sound good enough for a sports saloon, it is just about adequate for a vehicle tipping the scales at 2.2 tonnes. At lower revvs, the R350 feels underpowered and there is not much torque for city driving. When you floor the car, response is not that quick either and the 7G-Tronic box shifts into the next gear at just 5000 RPM. Activate the manual mode via the paddles on the steering wheel and everything changes. The R-Class all of a sudden senses urgency, it gains revvs very quickly and reaches 6800 RPM in no time. The sound at high revvs from this motor is absolute nirvana and in manual mode the gasoline motor in the R feels all of a sudden more than capable for the job.
However, a petrol powertrain for a family MPV seems quite ridiculous. We say so because the R-Class delivers a mileage of 5-6 kmpl in auto mode, which comes down to 4-5 kmpl when you start using the paddles. We don’t blame the engine at all, it is a fantastic unit. But it is not suited to a car weighing in excess of 2200 kgs. The R-Class also features 4Matic, which is Mercedes way of saying 4-wheel drive. This makes the car have average off-roading abilities. We say average, because even when the nose is raised, the R-Class cannot go on slushy terrain
Conclusion – The Mercedes-Benz R-Class is a fantastic MPV. It has loads of space, excellent features, lot of safety equipment and one of the few cars in the market with ample amount of space for both passengers and luggage. However the company could have opted for a diesel engine considering the R-Class is a CBU. With petrol prices rising, a petrol powered R-Class does not make much sense but for those who can afford to run on gasoline, there are very few things which you can find at fault with this luxurious people carrier.
Whats Cool
* Interior Finish
* Space
* Ride quality
* Engine sound
* Very well damped and lack of any kind of NVH
Whats Not So Cool
* Looks don’t please all
* Low end engine reponse
* Fuel efficiency
Mercedes-Benz R-Class Specifications : -
* Engine: 3498cc, V6
* Power: 272bhp @ 6000rpm
* Torque: 350Nm @ 2400~5000rpm
* Transmission: 7 G-Tronic
* Drive Type: All Wheel Drive
* Top Speed: 230kmph
* 0-100kmph: 8.3 seconds
* Fuel Consumption: 05-06 kmpl (City), 06-07 kmpl (highway)
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension: DIRECT CONTROL suspension with selective damping syste
* Tires: 255/55/18 Tubeless Radials
* Brakes: Mechanical-hydraulic, dual circuit with ABS
* Safety: ABS, ESP, Dual SRS front airbags, Side airbags, Immobilizer, Seat belt warning , Adaptive high beam assist, Parking guidance system, Drowsiness detection system, LED daytime running lights
Mercedes-Benz R-Class Dimensions : -
* Overall length x width x height: 5157 mm X 1922mm X 1674mm
* Wheelbase:: 3215mm
* Front/Rear Track: 1661/1651 mm
* Turning Radius – 6.3m
* Ground clearance: 160mm
* Boot Volume: 633 liters (with third row folded)
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres (13 reserve)
* Kerb Weight: 2230 kgs
* Co-efficient of drag: 0.32
Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe
Car tested: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe
Price OTR Mumbai: 60,00,000/-
“If looks could kill, we’d be dead”. Yes, we are talking about the stunning new Mercedes E 350 Coupe. This 2 door comes as a CBU (Completely Built Unit) from Germany and sets a new benchmark in luxury and delivers pure exhilarating performance. The E Coupe replaces the Mercedes CLK series globally and there is some argument that the E Coupe is derived from the C Class. Whatever the case may be, the Mercedes E-Class Coupe is a head turner and inspires awe. It was recently launched amongst a string of launches by Mercedes Benz this year and we push this car to the limit and find out how it fares.
Exteriors – The E Coupe, as the name suggests is similar to the E Class sedan but there are a few differences. The obvious one is that its a two door and absence of the B pillar (the vertical support usually seen between the front and rear side windows) makes it look like a different, sportier car altogether. The Mercedes logo is a part of the front grille (as we see on the C Class) and the Coupe is shorter in length than the E Class sedan and is considerably lighter too. The rear houses LED stop lamps in the center of the boot besides the regular tail light assembly. Our test car rode on 6 spoke sporty AMG alloys with low profile tires. Side turn indicators are integrated with the ORVM’s. The blackened out roof adds an exclusive look and is more curvy at the rear and subtly blends with the boot along a gradual slope, giving the Coupe an aerodynamic look. (The E 350 is supposedly the most aerodynamic production car). The shape of the windows clubbed with the absence of the B pillar looks stylish.
Interiors – Step in and the interiors are copy pasted from the E Class sedan. What is obviously noticed is the two tone black and red leather upholstery that give it a distinct sporty feel. The front seats have active headrests, which are an added safety feature. 6 airbags are standard. Roll the windows down and the cars look is transformed. The windows highlight the E Coupe’s 2 door status, very well designed indeed. The rear bench has bucket seats for 2 and there are enough storage areas for odds and ends. Headroom is short at the rear bench and that is because the E Coupe’s roof slopes towards the rear. Dual ac at the front can be adjusted to different temperature settings and there is a vent for the rear passengers too. Black, panoramic sunroof looks stunning from the outside and opens up most of the roof. Audio system is the same as seen on the E350 sedan, other standard E class features like attention assist, adaptive headlamp assist etc remain the same too. The front seats have a hard plastic shell behind and its provided to prevent undue wear and tear the seats have to bear in order to accommodate the rear passengers. Seat adjustment is manual for easily and quickly sliding the seat to make room to get into the backseat. Larger doors look good but it also means that you have to stretch more in order to shut them from the inside.
Built Quality – As we have seen in the past, Mercedes built quality is top notch and the E Coupe does not give us a reason to differ. Normally we rough out a car by running it through patchy roads to extract the tinest of squeaks but the E Coupe fails to fail on this one. No rattles or squeaks and the car is well damped from any sort of noise and vibration. Roll down the windows and at high speeds tyre noise can be a pain but thats nothing wrong with the car as such. Its worthy to note that though the E Coupe is imported from Germany, even the locally manufactured Mercs are at par with the same built quality.
On the Move – Open the door, step in and once the door is shut, a small arm would move the seatbelt across from the door for easy grasp and as soon as you are buckled up, the arm would go back and one would feel the seatbelt tightening up. Mercedes has always put safety on high priority while designing their cars and the E Coupe is loaded with revolutionary safety features such as Presafe. Presafe is a feature which kicks in when the car is out of control (just before a crash) and shuts all windows and the sunroof (leaving a bit open to neutralize the pressure difference in case airbags are deployed), tightens the seatbelt around the occupants. In case of an accident, the active headrests (front seats only) move forward to minimize injury due to whiplash. As we get ready to get started, something seems amiss, and that’s the Start/Stop button. Strangely its absent. Considering that the E coupe is marketed as a Sports Coupe, push button start/stop would be liked by most. Turning the key and the powerful V6 is bursting to get loose. Floor it and the car is immediately off the line. Handling is sharp and deserves a special mention here. As the car gets into 3 digit speeds the steering becomes considerably light and is surely much more fun but it becomes all the more easy to lose control at such speeds and could lead to a tricky situation. The E350 Coupe offers features standard on the E350 sedan such as cruise control, auto wipers, auto headlamps, parking guidance etc. We had to be a little careful over speed breakers as the car would tend to brush its bottom on them owing to low ground clearance.
Ride, Handling and Braking – The E Coupe is a drivers car and it is the best handling, yes, i say it again, the best handling Mercedes we have driven in India. The low profile 255/35/18 tires provide superb grip and coupled with the AMG alloys, play a major role in defining the handling characteristics of this Mercedes. The E Coupe stays on line even on the sharpest steering inputs and rides as if its riding on rails. Handling was never a strong point in the Mercedes camp, but after driving the E Coupe, we think otherwise and Mercedes are well within BMW territory in terms of handling. Ride quality is average and again, its the low profile tires which take away the soft ride of the E Class sedan. Even though ride is not as good as the E Class sedan, its decent and nothing to complain about as such. Braking is good and E Coupe stopped as expected on regular and hard braking. The E Coupe is lighter and ride height is lower when compared to the E sedan and this makes a huge difference in the dynamics of the car. The car is more fun to drive with the ESP off but annoyingly it turns on automatically, just when you are starting to have some fun.
Performance – The E Coupe is powered by a 3498cc V6 petrol engine which churns out 272bhp @ 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque @ 4500 rpm. Torque delivery is smooth and is more or less available throughout the mid range of the tacho. Floor it and its hits the triple digit mark in 7.88 seconds and does a quarter mile run in 15.56 seconds (in not very ideal test conditions). We hit a top speed of 200 without breaking into a sweat. The E Coupe weighs about 1730 kgs and having shed the extra kilos, it delivers superb performance. The 7Gtronic gearbox is responsive and the gear lever is similar to the one we see on the C Class. Sadly, paddles are missing and there is no valid explanation why? Lack of paddles somehow takes away all the sportiness this car has to offer. The E Sedan, with the identical engine comes with paddles and this omission of paddles is hard to digest. The gearbox offers comfort and sport setting and one can choose the required setting accordingly. Manual shifting can be done by flicking the gear lever left and right. While shifting gears from D, P or R, we found the lever pretty hard. Something we haven’t seen on other cars having the same gearbox. Possibly, this car is a victim of over enthusiastic driving.
Conclusion – The E Coupe, without any doubts, is a great car and is not a car one would pick readily since there is a difference of only about 5 – 6 lakhs between the Coupe and the E350 sedan. With most going for the sedan purely for 4 door comfort, the E Coupe is an ideal car for making a style statement or being different and unconventional from the rest. Mercedes has priced it superbly considering the duty it attracts by virtue of being a CBU. Some may argue that since its based on the C Class platform, you get less for more. I would go the other way, its not everyday you get the Coupe, which is sporty like the C Class and offer luxuries of the E Class and more importantly gives you the ‘E Class’ badge on your boot.
Whats Kool
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Specifications : -
Price OTR Mumbai: 60,00,000/-
“If looks could kill, we’d be dead”. Yes, we are talking about the stunning new Mercedes E 350 Coupe. This 2 door comes as a CBU (Completely Built Unit) from Germany and sets a new benchmark in luxury and delivers pure exhilarating performance. The E Coupe replaces the Mercedes CLK series globally and there is some argument that the E Coupe is derived from the C Class. Whatever the case may be, the Mercedes E-Class Coupe is a head turner and inspires awe. It was recently launched amongst a string of launches by Mercedes Benz this year and we push this car to the limit and find out how it fares.
Exteriors – The E Coupe, as the name suggests is similar to the E Class sedan but there are a few differences. The obvious one is that its a two door and absence of the B pillar (the vertical support usually seen between the front and rear side windows) makes it look like a different, sportier car altogether. The Mercedes logo is a part of the front grille (as we see on the C Class) and the Coupe is shorter in length than the E Class sedan and is considerably lighter too. The rear houses LED stop lamps in the center of the boot besides the regular tail light assembly. Our test car rode on 6 spoke sporty AMG alloys with low profile tires. Side turn indicators are integrated with the ORVM’s. The blackened out roof adds an exclusive look and is more curvy at the rear and subtly blends with the boot along a gradual slope, giving the Coupe an aerodynamic look. (The E 350 is supposedly the most aerodynamic production car). The shape of the windows clubbed with the absence of the B pillar looks stylish.
Interiors – Step in and the interiors are copy pasted from the E Class sedan. What is obviously noticed is the two tone black and red leather upholstery that give it a distinct sporty feel. The front seats have active headrests, which are an added safety feature. 6 airbags are standard. Roll the windows down and the cars look is transformed. The windows highlight the E Coupe’s 2 door status, very well designed indeed. The rear bench has bucket seats for 2 and there are enough storage areas for odds and ends. Headroom is short at the rear bench and that is because the E Coupe’s roof slopes towards the rear. Dual ac at the front can be adjusted to different temperature settings and there is a vent for the rear passengers too. Black, panoramic sunroof looks stunning from the outside and opens up most of the roof. Audio system is the same as seen on the E350 sedan, other standard E class features like attention assist, adaptive headlamp assist etc remain the same too. The front seats have a hard plastic shell behind and its provided to prevent undue wear and tear the seats have to bear in order to accommodate the rear passengers. Seat adjustment is manual for easily and quickly sliding the seat to make room to get into the backseat. Larger doors look good but it also means that you have to stretch more in order to shut them from the inside.
Built Quality – As we have seen in the past, Mercedes built quality is top notch and the E Coupe does not give us a reason to differ. Normally we rough out a car by running it through patchy roads to extract the tinest of squeaks but the E Coupe fails to fail on this one. No rattles or squeaks and the car is well damped from any sort of noise and vibration. Roll down the windows and at high speeds tyre noise can be a pain but thats nothing wrong with the car as such. Its worthy to note that though the E Coupe is imported from Germany, even the locally manufactured Mercs are at par with the same built quality.
On the Move – Open the door, step in and once the door is shut, a small arm would move the seatbelt across from the door for easy grasp and as soon as you are buckled up, the arm would go back and one would feel the seatbelt tightening up. Mercedes has always put safety on high priority while designing their cars and the E Coupe is loaded with revolutionary safety features such as Presafe. Presafe is a feature which kicks in when the car is out of control (just before a crash) and shuts all windows and the sunroof (leaving a bit open to neutralize the pressure difference in case airbags are deployed), tightens the seatbelt around the occupants. In case of an accident, the active headrests (front seats only) move forward to minimize injury due to whiplash. As we get ready to get started, something seems amiss, and that’s the Start/Stop button. Strangely its absent. Considering that the E coupe is marketed as a Sports Coupe, push button start/stop would be liked by most. Turning the key and the powerful V6 is bursting to get loose. Floor it and the car is immediately off the line. Handling is sharp and deserves a special mention here. As the car gets into 3 digit speeds the steering becomes considerably light and is surely much more fun but it becomes all the more easy to lose control at such speeds and could lead to a tricky situation. The E350 Coupe offers features standard on the E350 sedan such as cruise control, auto wipers, auto headlamps, parking guidance etc. We had to be a little careful over speed breakers as the car would tend to brush its bottom on them owing to low ground clearance.
Ride, Handling and Braking – The E Coupe is a drivers car and it is the best handling, yes, i say it again, the best handling Mercedes we have driven in India. The low profile 255/35/18 tires provide superb grip and coupled with the AMG alloys, play a major role in defining the handling characteristics of this Mercedes. The E Coupe stays on line even on the sharpest steering inputs and rides as if its riding on rails. Handling was never a strong point in the Mercedes camp, but after driving the E Coupe, we think otherwise and Mercedes are well within BMW territory in terms of handling. Ride quality is average and again, its the low profile tires which take away the soft ride of the E Class sedan. Even though ride is not as good as the E Class sedan, its decent and nothing to complain about as such. Braking is good and E Coupe stopped as expected on regular and hard braking. The E Coupe is lighter and ride height is lower when compared to the E sedan and this makes a huge difference in the dynamics of the car. The car is more fun to drive with the ESP off but annoyingly it turns on automatically, just when you are starting to have some fun.
Performance – The E Coupe is powered by a 3498cc V6 petrol engine which churns out 272bhp @ 6000rpm and 350Nm of torque @ 4500 rpm. Torque delivery is smooth and is more or less available throughout the mid range of the tacho. Floor it and its hits the triple digit mark in 7.88 seconds and does a quarter mile run in 15.56 seconds (in not very ideal test conditions). We hit a top speed of 200 without breaking into a sweat. The E Coupe weighs about 1730 kgs and having shed the extra kilos, it delivers superb performance. The 7Gtronic gearbox is responsive and the gear lever is similar to the one we see on the C Class. Sadly, paddles are missing and there is no valid explanation why? Lack of paddles somehow takes away all the sportiness this car has to offer. The E Sedan, with the identical engine comes with paddles and this omission of paddles is hard to digest. The gearbox offers comfort and sport setting and one can choose the required setting accordingly. Manual shifting can be done by flicking the gear lever left and right. While shifting gears from D, P or R, we found the lever pretty hard. Something we haven’t seen on other cars having the same gearbox. Possibly, this car is a victim of over enthusiastic driving.
Conclusion – The E Coupe, without any doubts, is a great car and is not a car one would pick readily since there is a difference of only about 5 – 6 lakhs between the Coupe and the E350 sedan. With most going for the sedan purely for 4 door comfort, the E Coupe is an ideal car for making a style statement or being different and unconventional from the rest. Mercedes has priced it superbly considering the duty it attracts by virtue of being a CBU. Some may argue that since its based on the C Class platform, you get less for more. I would go the other way, its not everyday you get the Coupe, which is sporty like the C Class and offer luxuries of the E Class and more importantly gives you the ‘E Class’ badge on your boot.
Whats Kool
- Handling
- Power packed performance
- Luxurious and sporty interiors
- Safety features
- Killer looks
- No memory seats
- Lack of paddle shifts
- Steering too light at high speeds
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Specifications : -
- Engine: 3498cc, V6
- Power: 272bhp @ 6000rpm
- Torque: 355Nm @ 2400~5000rpm
- Transmission: 7 G-Tronic
- Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
- Top Speed: 250kmph
- 0-100kmph: 7.8 seconds
- Fuel Consumption: 06-07 kmpl (City), 08-09 kmpl (highway)
- Fuel Type: Petrol
- Suspension: DIRECT CONTROL suspension with selective damping syste
- Tires: 235/45/17 Tubeless Radials
- Brakes: Mechanical-hydraulic, dual circuit with ABS
- Safety: ABS, ESP, Dual SRS front airbags, Side airbags, Immobilizer, Seat belt warning , Adaptive high beam assist, Parking guidance system, Drowsiness detection system, LED daytime lightning
- Overall length x width x height: 4698mm X 1786mm X 1393mm
- Wheelbase: 2760mm
- Front/Rear Track: 1538/1544 mm
- Turning Radius – 5.5m
- Ground clearance: 160mm
- Boot Volume: 450 liters
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 80 litres (8 reserve)
- Kerb Weight: 1645kgs
- Co-efficient of drag: 0.26
Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI Avantgarde
Car tested: 2010 Mercedes-Benz C200 CGI Avantgarde
Price OTR Mumbai: 34,57,501/-
Mercedes Benz have clocked their highest sales this year and the C 200 CGI has had its role to play in giving Mercedes their best sales since the time they landed on Indian soil about 15 years ago. The C200 CGI replaces the C200 K and is only available in the top Avantgarde trim. The CGI (Charged Gasoline Injection) is the latest breed of engines developed by the folks in Stuttgart and the Mercedes C-Class is the first of the cars to be powered by this latest generation engine.
As far as looks go, the C Class is all about luxury and comfort. The car is a looker with signature front grille housing the “Star”. The exteriors are effectively the same and the CGI tag on the boot gives it away. The C200 CGI is faster, fuel efficient and more importantly is cleaner to the environment than its predecessor the C200 K and falls in the Bluefficency category of vehicles from Mercedes Benz and this is badged on the side of the car.
The interiors of the CGI are identical to C 200 K with all the regular stuff such as 8 airbags, pre safe etc. Mercedes Benz build quality needs no further description. The C Class gives us no reason to complain.
The C200 CGI is powered by the 1796 CC turbo charged engine which punches out 186 bhp @ 6100 rpm and 285 nm torque as low as 2400 rpm, which increases overall driveability in city as well as highway conditions. Turbo lag is minuscule but once you are above 2000 rpm the fun is there to stay. Engine refinement is a level up and the new CGI engine is also felt a bit quieter than the previous series of engines. A spirited 0 – 100 dash reads about 8.6 seconds and car hit 180 with ease and then struggles ass the turbo runs out of punch. In CGI engines, fuel is injected under high pressure (as much as 200 bar) and this results in a better mileage. On an average (literally), the CGI deliver 2 kmpl more than the C200 K, expect about 10 kmpl over a mixture of city and highway running.
17 inch alloys coupled with 225/45 Michelin tyres, one of the best in the business offer quality grip and as with most Mercedes cars, ride is comfortable owing to a softer suspension setup. The C Class sails over potholes with ease and the cabin is well damped and there is hardly any noise creeping in, the CGI engine is relatively quieter than its predecessor.
The C Class is a hot cake as far as sales are concerned and the new CGI engine is an attractive buy since the CGI engine is more torquey, gives more mileage, has better engine refinement, is quieter and emits lesser emissions and does it bit to contribute to the environment. If you are looking for a petrol car in the segment, the C 200 CGI is the car for you.
Whats Kool
Price OTR Mumbai: 34,57,501/-
Mercedes Benz have clocked their highest sales this year and the C 200 CGI has had its role to play in giving Mercedes their best sales since the time they landed on Indian soil about 15 years ago. The C200 CGI replaces the C200 K and is only available in the top Avantgarde trim. The CGI (Charged Gasoline Injection) is the latest breed of engines developed by the folks in Stuttgart and the Mercedes C-Class is the first of the cars to be powered by this latest generation engine.
As far as looks go, the C Class is all about luxury and comfort. The car is a looker with signature front grille housing the “Star”. The exteriors are effectively the same and the CGI tag on the boot gives it away. The C200 CGI is faster, fuel efficient and more importantly is cleaner to the environment than its predecessor the C200 K and falls in the Bluefficency category of vehicles from Mercedes Benz and this is badged on the side of the car.
The interiors of the CGI are identical to C 200 K with all the regular stuff such as 8 airbags, pre safe etc. Mercedes Benz build quality needs no further description. The C Class gives us no reason to complain.
The C200 CGI is powered by the 1796 CC turbo charged engine which punches out 186 bhp @ 6100 rpm and 285 nm torque as low as 2400 rpm, which increases overall driveability in city as well as highway conditions. Turbo lag is minuscule but once you are above 2000 rpm the fun is there to stay. Engine refinement is a level up and the new CGI engine is also felt a bit quieter than the previous series of engines. A spirited 0 – 100 dash reads about 8.6 seconds and car hit 180 with ease and then struggles ass the turbo runs out of punch. In CGI engines, fuel is injected under high pressure (as much as 200 bar) and this results in a better mileage. On an average (literally), the CGI deliver 2 kmpl more than the C200 K, expect about 10 kmpl over a mixture of city and highway running.
17 inch alloys coupled with 225/45 Michelin tyres, one of the best in the business offer quality grip and as with most Mercedes cars, ride is comfortable owing to a softer suspension setup. The C Class sails over potholes with ease and the cabin is well damped and there is hardly any noise creeping in, the CGI engine is relatively quieter than its predecessor.
The C Class is a hot cake as far as sales are concerned and the new CGI engine is an attractive buy since the CGI engine is more torquey, gives more mileage, has better engine refinement, is quieter and emits lesser emissions and does it bit to contribute to the environment. If you are looking for a petrol car in the segment, the C 200 CGI is the car for you.
Whats Kool
- Better mileage
- Low end torque
- Comfort
- Improved driving dynamics
- No paddle shift
- Left ORVM – too magnified, most objects invisible here
- Engine: 1796cc, 4-cylinder, BlueEFFICIENCY
- Power: 186HP @ 6100rpm
- Torque: 285Nm @ 2400-4000rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed Auto
- Drive: Rear Wheel
- Top Speed: 220kmph (est)
- 0-100kmph: 9.0 seconds (est)
- Fuel Consumption: 6-7 kmpl (City), 8-9 kmpl (highway)
- Fuel Type: Petrol Unleaded
- Suspension: 3 Link with McPherson Struts (Front), Multi-link Independent (Rear)
- Tires: 205/55/16 Tubeless Radials
- Brakes: Internally ventilated discs (Front), Solid discs (Rear) ABS, BAS
- Safety: ABS, BAS, Six Airbags, ESP, Pre-Safe, Neck-Pro, Parktronic, Fuel Cut-Off
- Overall length x width x height: 4596mm X 1770mm X 1447mm
- Wheelbase: 2715mm
- Turning Radius – 5.4m
- Ground clearance: 130mm
- Boot Volume: 475 liters
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 66 litres
- Kerb Weight: 1540kgs
