The E is the only class of Mercedes that has shown a sales increase in the U.S. market this year. Total sales soared 113.1% in November, to 4,828.
A major reason fo
r the E's success is obvious: It's reasonably priced, at least by German standards. The new E-Class sedan is actually cheaper than the outgoing model, and the coupe is cheaper than the CLK coupe it's replacing. The E350 coupe starts at $48,925 and the E350 sedan at $49,475. The higher-end E550 coupe starts at $55,525, the E550 sedan at $57,175. Add an extra $2,500 for all-wheel drive in either sedan. (AWD isn't offered in the coupe.)In redesigning the E-Class, Daimler (DAI) did what it does best. The V6-powered E350 and V8 powered E550 sedans are classic luxury cars that fall in the middle of the product range in terms of price and size but have traditional styling, solidity, and high-tech options reminiscent of the top-of-the-line Mercedes S Class. The sedan gives Mercedes a clearer alternative to the BMW (BMWG : IX) 5 Series and Volkswagen's (VOWG: IX) Audi A6, one that's more comfort-oriented without making big compromises on performance.
The new E-Class coupe (the version of the car I test drove) is smaller and sportier than the sedan—nearly seven inches shorter, six inches narrower, three inches lower, and 200 lbs. lighter. About the size of the Mercedes C-Class, the E coupe competes more directly with the BMW 3 Series than with the 5 Series. It's a marvelous vehicle if you can get past the fact that it isn't available with a stick shift. A seven-speed automatic with manual shifting function is the only transmission in both the E sedan and coupe.
As with other German cars, one appeal of the E-Class is the wide variety of niche models it comes in. For speed-lovers, there's the E63 AMG (powered by a 518-hp V8) that competes with BMW's M5, VW's Audi S6, and General Motors' Cadillac CTS-V. A four-seater E350 Cabriolet with a new sound-dampening soft top is due out next May. The following month, a diesel-powered E350 Bluetec is due out. A new E-Class station wagon, designed to compete with models such as the Cadillac CTS Sports wagon, will also hit showrooms next June.
The available engines provide plenty of power. The E350 coupe has a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 under its hood while the E550 is powered by a 5.5-liter, 382-horsepower V8. The E350 Bluetec sedan comes with a 3.0-liter, 210-horsepower diesel V6 that generates an incredible 400 lb.-ft of torque.
As with other sport luxury models, fuel economy isn't great. The E350 coupe is rated to get 17 miles-per-gallon in the city and 26 on the highway for an average of 20; the E350 sedan does slightly better, at 18 mpg city and 26 highway, for an average of 21. The E550 Coupe and Sedan are both rated at 16 city and 24 highway, for an average of 18. (The Bluetec isn't yet rated.)
Behind the Wheel
Tooling around in a Mercedes coupe is an experience everyone should have at least once. The E-Class coupe isn't the sportiest or fastest car in its group, but it's fun and just so damned classy and comfortable. The cabin has the quietness and solidity of a more expensive Mercedes and the suspension eats up bumps like no other. There's a library-quiet, dead-air feel to the cabin when you're cruising on the highway.
source : http://www.businessweek.com/lifestyle/content/dec2009/bw20091222_680625.htm
