Having more or less raved about the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class when I drove it at its international launch in Spain in 2008 I felt a little let down by the E300 version which arrived for road review the other day.
The drivetrain performed below expectation and the engine/gearbox combination led to a rather sluggish-feeling car. The seven-speed 7G Tronic gearbox was a little slow on downshifts and was characterised by frustrating pauses - it's not how I remember this usually quick-reacting gearbox and it seemed as if there was something amiss with the software.
The old-generation three-litre V6 engine has its work cut out moving this heavy car and the E300 lacks any real urgency under acceleration although it cruises well once up to speed.
The car comes across as having a heavy, rather lazy feel that I didn't get when driving more powerful versions featuring new-generation turbo petrol and diesel engines at the world launch.
The transmission's lack of downshifting haste can partly be overcome by switching to the manual gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, but the computer still overrides you and changes gears when it wants to.
Mediocre drivetrain aside, the big Benz delivers much of what one expects of the three-pointed star. It's solid and luxurious with the typically regal air that has become the German brand's hallmark.
Ride quality is excellent and the big sedan wafts luxuriously over all kinds of tarmac, smooth or rippled.
Even the roughest road is unable to shake its tank-like solidity. Unruly exterior noises are muted as passengers experience Zen-like serenity in the cabin.
The chassis - which has more to give than than the three-litre engine can use - deals very competently with twisty roads, thanks to direct control suspension that automatically stiffens or softens the dampers to suit the current driving situation.
The E-Class isn't the type of car you'd take by the scruff of the neck and hustle through a mountain pass but you could if you wanted to. It has oodles of traction and a neutral, sure-footed feel with steering much sharper than Mercs of old.
We happened to play follow-the-leader with a compact hatch on our twisty handling course and the E300 easily stayed with the lighter car.
The new generation E-Class introduces several new hi-tech safety gadgets, one of which is the drowsiness detector which has the instrument display flashing a digital coffee cup at you when it reckons you should stop the car and stretch your legs.
It uses about 70 sensors to detect signs of driver drowsiness or inattention. We never got sleepy enough behind the wheel to activate it but another very helpful gadget was the blind-spot indicator that flashes a warning light in the side mirrors if you're changing lanes into the path of a potentially unseen vehicle.
CLASSIC BENZ ELEGANCE
Also standard are headlights that automatically raise and dip to ensure maximum visibility without blinding oncoming traffic.
Optional toys fitted to the test car were Distronic Plus - which keeps a safe following distance - and lane-keeping assist which vibrates the steering if you've encroached over a painted line without indicating.
The styling of the new E-Class has taken a slightly more angular approach than its smoothly-sculpted predecessor with an interesting new spin on the dual-headlamp theme which I like more every I see it.
Inside it's all classic Benz elegance, although our Avantgarde-spec test car was jazzed-up a little with red seats and cabin brightwork.
A multi-controller reduces the number of buttons on the fascia. The Mercedes system is quite user friendly as these systems go with a convenient one-touch button for the aircon - unlike in the larger S-Class.
VERDICT
The E-Class has the makings of a terrific car but the E300 model is hampered by an outdated drivetrain. We look forward to driving models with the new engines when they're launched here in October 2009.
MERCEDES-BENZ E300 SPECIFICATIONS
ENGINE
Cylinders:
V6.
Capacity:
2996cc.
Fuel system:
Petrol fuel-injection.
Max power/torque:
170kW at 6000rpm/300Nm at 2500-5000rpm.
TRANSMISSION
Type:
Seven-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive.
SUSPENSION
Front/rear:
Independent, three link / Independent, multilink.
STEERING
Type:
Power-assisted rack-and-pinion.
Steering-column adjustment:
Height and reach.
BRAKES
Front/rear:
Ventilated discs with anti-lock and brake assist.
WHEELS/TYRES
Rims:
17" alloy.
Tyres:
245/45 radials.
DIMENSIONS/WEIGHT
Length:
4868mm.
Width:
2071mm.
Height:
1471mm.
Mass:
1735kg.
FUEL TANK/CONSUMPTION
80 litres/12.6 litres/100km.
247km/h (Gauteng altitude).
ACCELERATION
0-100km/h:
9.6sec (Gauteng altitude).
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
Power-adustable front seats, power windows, power adjustable heatable mirrors, ventilated glove compartment, trip data computer, multifunction steering wheel, remote central locking, automatic air-conditioning, automatic headlights with beam range control, cruise control, direct control suspension, leather upholstery, parking sensors, cup holders, radio with six-disc CD changer, auto dimming mirrors.
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
Seven crash bags, Pre-Safe, Neck-Pro crash-responsive front head restraints, auto-tensioning seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, electronic stability programme, tyre pressure monitor.
MANUFACTURER SUPPORT
Two years unlimited distance warranty, five years or 120 000km service plan, 24-hour roadside assistance.
SERVICE INTERVALS
20 000km.
PRICE
R558 600.
RIVALS
Audi A6 2.8 FSI Multitronic(162kW/280Nm) - R478 000
BMW 530i Steptronic(200kW/315Nm) - R564 400
Cadillac CTS 3.6 auto(229kW/374Nm) R425 000
Hyundai Azera 3.3 GLS auto(173kW/304Nm) R374 900
Jaguar XF 3.0 V6 Luxury(175kW/293Nm) R597 000
Lexus GS300 auto(183kW/310Nm) R561 700
Volvo S80 3.0T Geartronic(210kW/400Nm) R545 000