You are here : Mercedes-Benz E280 - Incremental Progress
The composure is not limited to straight-line speeds either - the E280 also handles
high speed bends with equal aplomb. Weighing in at about 1700 kilos, this car is no
lightweight, but the multi-link suspension (front and rear) has been tuned so that it
offers a good balance between outright handling prowess and plush ride quality. For
engineers, it's a difficult feat to pull off, but the E280 does manage to offer very
good ride comfort and yet refrain from excessive roll and wallow while cornering. It
feels like a middle-aged Sharon Stone rather than a middle-aged Drew Barrymore. Well
damped, but also er..., sprightly and adequately nimble. The E280's 16-inch wheels,
sporting 225/55 Goodyear NCT rubber, help in the roadholding department, and lack of
grip is never an issue.
"WEIGHING IN AT ABOUT 1700 KILOS, THIS CAR IS NO LIGHTWEIGHT, BUT THE MULTI-LINK SUSPENSION (FRONT AND REAR) HAS BEEN TUNED SO THAT IT OFFERS A GOOD BALANCE BETWEEN OUTRIGHT HANDLING PROWESS AND PLUSH RIDE QUALITY"
It isn't perfect though. Enthusiastic drivers will definitely wish the steering offered more feel - it seems the steering wheel conveys your inputs to the front wheels via a dial-up connection rather than broadband and can be a bit vague and slow-to-react at times. Having driven various previous generation E-class cars, I suppose I should have known better than to expect this one to have brilliantly crisp, connected and responsive steering, but if it did, driving the E280 would be so much more fun. At least the car's anti-lock, electro-hydraulic braking system, with Sensotronic Brake Control (SBC is Mercedes-speak for brake-by-wire, which substitutes mechanical linkages with computer-controlled, electronic ones...), is beyond reproach. Braking hard from triple digit speeds, the E280 stopped in a straight line every single time, without either end threatening to break loose. Even dabbing the brake pedal hard in the middle of high-speed lane change manoeuvres failed to defeat the system, with the car simply shedding velocity without any major theatrics whatsoever. Hundred to zero was dispatched in 3.29 seconds, during which the car travelled 44.17 metres, which isn't bad at all. SBC calculates optimum braking pressure for each wheel individually, which makes it much safer while braking hard on slippery surfaces or, in an emergency, while braking in the middle of a corner. These brakes, along with the electronic stability program, should make the E280 one of the safest cars on the planet.
"BRAKING HARD FROM TRIPLE DIGIT SPEEDS, THE E280 STOPPED IN A STRAIGHT LINE EVERY SINGLE TIME, WITHOUT EITHER END THREATENING TO BREAK LOOSE..."
Another notable aspect of the E280 is its seven-speed automatic gearbox, which complements the powerful V6 very well. Called the 7G-TRONIC, this was the world's first seven-speed automatic when it was launched, back in 2003. (Interestingly enough, Toyota have developed an eight-speed automatic since then, which is fitted to the new Lexus LS460.) At that time, the 7G-TRONIC was only fitted to Mercedes-Benz's V8-powered cars, but has since then found its way to V6-powered cars like the E280 as well. By providing a wider range of ratios, the system is supposed to boost fuel economy and also help acceleration. The seven ratios allow for relatively small, incremental increases in engine speed, which means smoother, more linear power delivery. It also helps lower the average engine speed, which again not only helps fuel consumption, but also lowers overall noise levels. On the road, the system is quite impressive, with gear changes being barely perceptible. There is still the option of clutchless manual shifting, by tapping the gear lever sideways, but I doubt if too many people would be using that option. The 7G-TRONIC is perfectly good enough on its own and quite suits the E280's character. Automatic gearboxes are notorious for harming fuel efficiency, but with the E280, we got about 8.5kmpl overall, which is quite good for a car of this class and means that the 7G-TRONIC is doing something right. It definitely is a step in the right direction.
Mercedes-Benz sold 825 units of the E-class in India last year, which accounted for about a third of their total sales in the country. Now, with Audi and BMW having entered the fray (albeit in a rather limited sort of way), and the A6 and 5-series cars presenting an option to people who are willing to spend in excess of Rs 40 lakh on a car, the E-class may face stiffer competition. At this level, any mention of the term 'value for money' has to be relative anyway, but at around Rs 41 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune), the E280 certainly isn't cheap. Then again, consider its state-of-the-art V6, which makes 234PS of power and 282Nm of torque. The seven-speed automatic gearbox, which works in the most unobtrusive manner ever. And the totally sumptuous interiors, which cosset and pamper even the most demanding of owners. The brakes are stupendous. Ride comfort is exemplary. And the badge, of course, is 24-carat gold-plated. We don't know if the E280 CDI will be better still (wait for a test of that car in the next issue), but for now, this E280 is pretty much the king of all it surveys.
For those who think the Mercedes-Benz image is a bit fuddy-duddy, and who want something more avant-garde, the technology-packed Audi A6 could be an appealing option. With its 'Bulgarian beard' front grille, and generally clean, uncluttered lines, the A6 manages to stand out and yet, isn't very ostentatious. Worldwide, Audis are seen as something of a middle-of-the-road option. Not as sporty as the BMW, not as plush, luxurious and prestigious as the Mercedes-Benz. That said, Audis are still considered to be hi-tech cars and their Quattro 4WD system is widely respected.
Here in India, given that Audis are available in very limited numbers, and only as CBUs, an A6 3.0 will be more exclusive than an E-class car, and that will be an important consideration for some. Spec-wise, an A6 3.0 and an E280 are pretty evenly matched. The former is powered by a 30-valve, DOHC, 2967cc V6, which makes 221PS and 300Nm of torque. That's 13PS less and 18Nm more than what's available in the E280. The A6 is a 100 odd kilos lighter than the E280, feels mildly sportier, has more responsive steering, and for long distance cruising, its continuously variable transmission (CVT) feels even more efficient than the Mercedes' seven-speed automatic. The Audi's ride is not as plush, its cabin is not as silent and sybaritic and overall refinement levels aren't as high as on the E280, but the differences aren't huge.
One big difference between the two cars is that the A6 is front-wheel-drive, while the E280 is, of course, rear-wheel-drive. While that doesn't really mean a very big deal in everyday driving, when (and if...) you're really going for it, the A6 exhibits some amount of understeer at the limit. Initially, it gives you the confidence to push hard, but if you keep the throttle pinned in really high-speed bends, the front can sometimes begin to wash wide. If you aren't prepared for it, it can scare you a bit. Please do note that this isn't likely to happen in 'normal, everyday driving' situations, so it shouldn't be a concern for most people. Both cars are evenly matched on styling, price, power, and gizmos. The Mercedes feels more luxurious and grown-up, while the Audi feels sportier and more youthful. However, for me, the E280, with its better ride quality, super-plush cabin and yes, the three-pointed star, is the more desirable car.
Source: Car India April 2006.
