D R I V E N

Mercedes-Benz currently offers an extensive lineup of cars from the diminutive A-class to the go-anywhere G, but to fully appreciate the best qualities of a Benz, the best place to start is the E-class sedan.

The all-new E features the four-eyed look pioneered by its immediate predecessor.  The headlamps are now elliptical and tilted lower into the front fenders, and the profile flows as smoothly as a coupe’s to the smoothly-integrated triangular taillamps. 

There are currently three available engines, with others offered as special orders.  There’s the 16-valve, 1.8-liter supercharged inline-4 in the E200, and the 2.6 and 3.2-liter 24-valve V6 units in the E240 and E320.  

The lineup begins with the supercharged inline-4 found in the E200K.  The 1.8-liter 16-valve engine is good for 163 hp and a formidable 240 Nm.   Coupled to the standard 5-speed automatic, 100 km/h goes by in just 9.9 seconds, and top speed is 230 km/h.

The inline-4 is smooth and silent, with adequate acceleration.  For brawnier acceleration, we recommend the V6 engines, in 2.6 or 3.2 liter displacements.  The E240's 2.6 churns out a strong 177 hp / 240 Nm.  75 percent of the torque is available from just 1500 rpm, and 95 percent of it is on tap from 3000 to 4000 rpm.  This ensures that there's sufficient acceleration across the rev range.   The E240 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.1 seconds, on to a top speed of 236 km/h. 

If you want still more power (and who doesn't), then the new E320 is for you. The 3.2 V6 punches out 224 smooth hp.  Its torque curve is literally flat at 3000-4500 rpm, throughout which the maximum 315 Nm is available.  The sprint to 100 takes only 7.7 seconds, and top speed is 243 km/h.

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