The Mercedes E350 CDI is a statement in luxury, panache and diesel power, says Shapur Kotwal
As most of you may know, diesel motors have been gaining popularity because they have been getting more powerful as well as more refined and silent. And the Merc’s updated 3.0-litre V6 takes this even further. The new diesel E350 CDI is just so smooth and honeyed and it sounds so sweet, even from the outside, that anyone could easily mistake it for a petrol-powered car.
STYLE FILE
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| High on the highway: The new Mercedes E350 CDI comes with a powerful yet superbly refined engine |
The fresh styling with those crystal-cut headlamps and the sharp cuts along the body reflects this car’s highly modern design sensibilities. Also, the new E sets a higher standard for refinement in this class. The manner in which you step into the car, thunk the doors shut and leave the noisy world behind is truly impressive. It’s like you’ve put on a set of ear muffs.
UNDER THE HOOD
Mercedes engineers have taken what was already a very good motor and made significant improvisations. While much of the OM 624 (OM stands for Oil Motor or diesel) remains common with the previous-generation E280 CDI, Mercedes has upped the power and has also improved fuel economy.
In an effort to make it more refined and noiseless, the motor’s compression ratio has been reduced notably — from 17.7 to 15.8. And there are new, more responsive injectors for better control as well as improved airflow and ducting in the engine, all of which translate into greater elegance and smoothness.
This all-aluminum V6 also makes commercial vehicles blush — producing 55kgm of torque from 1600rpm, just off idle — allowing this otherwise heavy car to be blown forward like it’s one with the wind. Yes, it lacks the tremendous surge of power you get in the earlier 280 CDi and you miss that spike to some extent, but the overall performance is ultimately stronger.
DRIVER’S DEAL
Normal driving is induced by a gentle dab on the throttle and that is good enough to have you scooting forward in that effortless, well-insulated, typically Mercedes manner. The greater flexibility of the motor also means that the gearbox in ‘Comfort’ setting can shift up gears much earlier, so progress is both rapid and relaxed. However, with 231bhp, the sharp new E can play performance saloon easily as well.
As you take off from rest with full throttle, the E-class’s seven-speed automatic gearbox winds you through the gears in rapid succession, with passengers happily pinned to their seats. It takes a brisk 7.63 seconds to go from zero to 100kph.
Performance continues unabated further up the power band too, with 200kph coming up in 30.47 seconds. In comparison, the also very rapid 530d takes seven seconds to hit 100kph and 31.85 seconds to get to 200kph. The paddle shifts are really nice to use, both in Sport and Comfort settings, with the gearbox responding swiftly enough to requests for a downshift.
The Blue Efficiency badge you see on the wings of the car is not a single system, but rather a collection of optimisation measures that together make a significant impact on fuel economy. Tests show the new E350 CDI is very efficient in the city and much more efficient than the E280 CDI on the highway.
The new E-class’s ride remains flat at any speed, with no major vertical movements even when it speeds over poor roads. The steering is quicker, the car feels much more agile and willing to take corners hard and after that initial bit of body roll, the frequency selective dampers firm up automatically as you drive harder. Though the earlier E had a more absorbent and silent ride at low speeds, the new E’s ride improves dramatically as speeds increase. And while the new 350 diesel’s rear seat comfort is not nearly as good as its predecessor’s, there is additional room for rear seat passengers, which compensates to some extent.
FINAL VERDICT
Smooth, super-refined, a pleasure to drive in our start-stop streets with massive performance waiting for your go, the new diesel motor complements the new E’s character perfectly. It’s all about the modern sharp-edged styling, the S-class-matching refinement on the inside, plenty of space, comfort, quality and those trick dampers that provide you a pliant ride and sharp handling automatically. Here’s a Merc that not only upholds all of the brand’s traditional values — solid build, over-engineering and extreme refinement — to the hilt, but it’s also agile and fun to drive when you press on, like any modern car. True, some of the less important plastics in the cabin feel flimsy; yet that doesn’t prevent the E350 CDI from recording a perfect score.
spec check
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Mercedes E350 CDI
Engine: Diesel/ front, longitudinal/ 6-cyls in Vee, 2987cc/ turbocharged
Power: 231bhp at 3800rpm
Torque: 55kgm at 1600-2400rpm
Gearbox: 7-speed auto
Kerb weight: 1825kg
Suspension (F/R): Independent, MacPherson struts with coil springs/ multi-link, independent suspension with coil spring
Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs
