First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E 550 4MATIC

[svgallery name="10_E550_PICS"] Story and photos by John LeBlanc ROSSEAU, Ontario – According to economists, frugal Canadian consumers have reacted to the current Great Recession with what they call “a move from steak to hamburger,” buying cheaper or discounted products, particularly such “big-ticket” items such as luxury cars. Now Mercedes-Benz isn’t in the hamburger business. Its cars are all prime cut Grade-A steaks, thank you very much. That’s why the automaker is trying to add some sizzle to its new generation mid-size E Class lineup. Firstly by making substantial price cuts; secondly by adding more, well, “meat” to its new 2010 models. The new 2010 rear-drive E Coupes, E 63 AMG Sedan, and all-wheel-drive 4MATIC Sedans are already on sale. The E 350 BlueTec diesel sedan goes on sale next March, while wagons and a convertible version of the Coupe are expected sometime in 2010. The new base model 2010 E 350 Sedan 4MATIC starts at $62,900, an $11,600 decrease in price. Our subject matter, the one-rung-up E 550 4MATIC Sedan’s price comes under the butcher’s knife as well. Starting at $73,200, that’s a not inconsequential chopping of $12,100. While that may be less than another German business-class V8 sedan with all-wheel drive, the $75,900 Audi A6 4.2 quattro, the ‘Benz is still more than a $69,500 Infiniti M45x AWD or $64,995 Volvo S80 V8 AWD. Outside, all 2010 E’s get an AMG sports package (that includes a body kit, 18-inch wheels, lowered sports suspension, and larger front cross- drilled rotors with four- piston Mercedes-Benz inscribed calipers) standard. Inside, the new E borrows interior design cues from both the C and full-size S Classes. Forms are more at right angles, rather than soft and flowing. A new integrated navigation screen dominates the top of the centre stack. Following the 2001 BMW 7 Series, the seven-speed automatic transmission shifter is an electronic stalk on the steering column, and an iDrive-like controller where the gear selector may have been on the console. If not the medical precision found in an Audi, panel fit and build quality in the new E has improved measurably. The additional use of aluminum, wood and leather means your hands will rarely touch a piece of cold plastic. The 2010 E Class’s rear seat is an improvement over the old model. An important feature for a type a car that will occasionally be called upon to be a limo. But it’s still no roomier than a BMW 5 Series or Infiniti M. The ‘Benz’s 540 litres of trunk space is the same as the outgoing model, equal to the class-leading A6, and can be expanded by folding the rear seats. One way luxury brands are trying to coax you to buy their steak over mainstream brand hamburger is in the area of safety. So despite the price reductions this year, Mercedes seems to chasing Volvo by piling on the safety kit on all of its Es. More sizzle comes in the form of Distronic PLUS w/PRE- SAFE Brake, Night View Assist Plus, Drive-Dynamic Active Multi Contour Driver Seat, and rear seat entertainment system are new options migrated down from the larger S Class. In addition to up to ten airbags, all 2010 E Sedans have Attention Assist. It checks steering inputs and a variety of other parameters to make sure drivers don’t fall asleep behind the wheel. A steaming cup of coffee icon in the centre instrument bezel lets you know when it’s on. Cute. Need to have more help driving? Blind spot and lane departure warning systems are also available. During our daylong drive from the Toronto Island airport, all the way to the heart of the heart of the Muskoka Lakes region in Rosseau, Ontario, the new E 550 4MATIC’s driving characteristics proved to be an all-around improvement over the last iteration. At 1,910 kg, the E 550 only weighs 80 kg more than the 268 hp V6 E 350. With its carryover 5.5-litre V8 with 382 hp and 391 lb.-ft. of torque, the E 550 is 0.7 quicker from zero to 100 km/h at 5.3 seconds then the E 350. The extra performance—and the guttural sounds of the V8—are the two main reasons buyers pay the over-$10,000 premium over the base V6 car. Fuel economy suffers little, though. The E 350 is rated at 12.7L/100 km city, 8.3 hwy; the E 550 at 13.8L and 8.6L, respectively. While the luxury goodies are all there and accounted for, the standard AMG sport kit on all 2010 Es is a not-so-subtle message that Mercedes-Benz Canada wants you to think of its new mid-size sedan in a sportier light. In that regard, the Airmatic Direct Control adaptive air suspension, steering and brakes systems are all new this year. Airmatic is self-leveling and maintains a constant ride height. At higher speeds, the body is automatically lowered to reduce roll and pitch. Overall, it works. The new E feels more composed and smoother than the last E. Even with the default Comfort mode selected, sensors detect spirited driving and firm things up accordingly. While in Sport mode, the Merc never rides too rough. The steering department got the “make it sportier” memo as well. Mercedes’ new Direct Steering is now weightier and more direct. But and A6’s rack offers more information as to what’s going on at road level. The new E 550 certainly feels better put together, offers more than its predecessor kit wise—all for a lot  less money. Fully loaded, it makes a good substitute over its larger and more expensive S Class sibling, that is, if you don’t need the extra space or prestige. The Great Recession aside, the 2010 E 550 4MATIC coming market at a  sweet time. Most if its competition is feeling a bit dated. But by this time next year, Audi, BMW and Infiniti will have updated their mid-size offerings as well. Until them, the Mercedes is the most–up-to-date option in the business-sedan class. 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 4MATIC Sedan Base price: $73,200 Type of vehicle: mid-size, five-seat, all-wheel-drive, sedan Engine: 5.5L, 32-valve DOHC V8 Power/Torque: 382 hp/391 lb.-ft. Transmission: Seven-speed automatic Estimated fuel consumption L/100 km (city/hwy): 13.8/8.6 Competition: Audi A6 4.2, BMW 535i xDrive, Infiniti M45x, Volvo S80 V8 AWD FIRST DRIVE SUMMARY PROS Recession-proofing price drops Lots of standard luxury and safety features Rock-solid chassis and build quality CONS Still relatively pricey Lifeless steering Despite the AMG accoutrements, still a luxury sedan

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