Auto Keirning Cars

Reviews Sport Car Collection Of Various Sources

Auto Keirning Cars

Reviews Sport Car Collection Of Various Sources

Auto Keirning Cars

Reviews Sport Car Collection Of Various Sources

Auto Keirning Cars

Reviews Sport Car Collection Of Various Sources

Auto Keirning Cars

Reviews Sport Car Collection Of Various Sources

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Skoda Octavia RS 2010


The facelifted Skoda Octavia RS has a redesigned front mask with an RS logo and bold headlamps that, for the first time in the RS version, can be fitted with xenon units combined with an adaptive front lighting module. Besides a wider and bolder induction aperture, the car's innovated bumper boasts a further two innovations: fog lamps with the Corner function and LED lamps for daytime lighting. The covers of integrated tailgate lamps have been redesigned to look more attractive, other innovations include, for example, a new metallic paint (Anthracite) and 18" Neptune wheels. The sports-tuned chassis has been lowered to 127 mm, the car's weight reduced by 20 kg in the petrol version and 15 kg in the diesel one. Significantly reduced air resistance has a positive impact upon the car's overall performance. The maximum speed is higher, and the car's responsiveness and acceleration have also been improved.

Skoda Octavia Scout 2010



The Scout band has congenital a abiding position in Å koda's archetypal portfolio. Bigger than the Roomster Scout and the Fabia Scout, the Skoda Octavia Scout is the flagship of this archetypal line. The new agent has been facelifted to toe the band with the added models of the Skoda Octavia portfolio, including a redesigned radiator affectation and adventurous headlamps. Fitted with fog lights with the Corner function, the massive advanced bonanza underlines the vehicle's off-road appearance. Adventurous careful anatomy elements are in accord with a new brownish acrylic (Rosso Brunello).

With 179 mm of bright acme and able anatomy protection, the car is able-bodied geared for off-road driving. The all-wheel drive arrangement includes the fourth-generation Haldex clamp able to alteration as abundant as 85 % of the torque to a distinct wheel. Two able engines - petrol 1.8 TSI/118 kW (EU 5) and agent 2.0 TDI PD DPF/103 kW (EU 4) - accumulated with a six-speed automated manual accommodate satisfactory achievement levels.

Skoda Superb Combi 4x4 (2010)


Available with 1.8 TSI 160bhp and 3.6 V6 260bhp petrol engines as well as the 2.0 TDI CR 170bhp diesel, the Å koda Superb Combi 4x4 can tackle the sort of slippery conditions that would leave its two-wheel drive competitors stranded. The system transfers torque to whichever wheels have the most traction by taking signals from the ABS sensors, greatly increasing driving safety in the type of snowy and icy conditions that have gripped the UK this winter.

But the Å koda Superb Combi 4x4's capabilities aren't limited to wintery conditions. In the summer months the 4x4 technology will ensure that pulling trailers and caravans is easier, safer and more enjoyable than ever. And because drive to the rear wheels is disengaged when not needed, there's little adverse effect on fuel consumption.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

First Drive: 2011 BMW 335is

2011 BMW 335is

It's fair to say that few automobiles have ridden atop their segment for as long as the BMW 3 Series has managed. Admittedly, there have been occasional frights from other German automakers or the odd Asian upstart, but it's as if Munich's engineers long ago brokered some sweetheart deal with the devil, so total has been the range's dominance. All of which has made it particularly tough for U.S. enthusiasts, as we've seen seemingly dozens of tempting higher performance specials and intriguingly efficient offerings pop up over in Europe and elsewhere, yet these models never seem to make their way into U.S. showrooms. Forgive us, then, for being slightly giddy at the prospect of this 335is, the first North American exclusive 3 Series in, well... eons.

Based on the freshly facelifted sixth-generation 3 Series, the 2011 335is will be available in both coupe and folding hardtop convertible forms beginning this spring – but we just couldn't wait that long to get behind the wheel. Thankfully, BMW was kind enough to slip us the keys to a pre-production example on Portugal's Estoril raceway as a dessert course of sorts at the launch of their new 5 Series sedan. Follow the jump to read our full slate of impressions.

Interestingly, having just sat through a press conference detailing the many virtues of the 5 Series' new 3.0-liter N55 single-turbo inline six, we were a bit surprised to hear that the 335is harbors a newly developed iteration of the "old" twin-turbo N54. Surprised, yes, but not disheartened, as we'd still happily get out of bed for an N54-powered waterpick.

BMW is positioning the 335is as an appealing option for club racers – presumably those who can't afford an M3 – and for those who normally raid the aftermarket's parts bin. To that end, Bimmer's boffins haven't just fortified the boost and left the rest of the drivetrain package to fend for itself – they've fitted a higher-capacity cooling fan, mounted a supplementary radiator behind the left air intake and bungeed an oil cooler on the right side for good measure. To take advantage of the system's more robust cooling capabilities, a resculpted lower fascia with bigger inlets has also been specified. And although our prototype tester doesn't show it, by the time they reach dealerships, BMW promises that only models with the folding hardtop will receive foglamps – the coupe's will have been purged in favor of larger air openings.



Thanks to those upgrades in cooling and better breathing, BMW has been able to ratchet up the boost to 11.6 psi (up from 8.7 psi in the standard 335i). Thus, as tuned for duty in the 335is, the N54 rustles up 320 horsepower (+20) and 332 pound-feet of torque (+32) riding atop stiffer engine mounts, with the added party trick of an overboost mode that maxes out at 14.5 psi, delivering 370 lb-ft for up to seven seconds.

That bounty is funneled out to the rear wheels through the buyer's choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed Double Clutch Transmission (DCT), marking the first time that a twin-clutch gearbox has been offered in a non-M 3 Series. The same basic motor also appears in BMW's forthcoming Z4 sDrive35is, albeit conjuring up a sliver more power (335 hp/332 lb-ft.).



How will you spot a 335is on the street? Exterior changes include the updated head- and taillamps and restyled grilles that are shared with the rest of the 2011 3 Series range, but the 335is gets a few malefic telltales in the form of ferric gray 18-inch alloys, gloss black kidney surrounds and mirror caps, black window trim, a handful of special badges and most importantly, a pair of black chrome exhaust tips poking out 'neath a functional rear diffuser. BMW tells us that while the new exhaust system is less restrictive, they admit that by itself, it doesn't really do anything to further enhance the 335is' performance figures. No matter. What those charcoal pipes do accomplish is a heaping helping of aural engagement, sounding significantly huskier than a garden-variety 335i – even at tickover. Hearing the freer-breathing exhausts caroming around Estoril while standing in pit lane was enough to forgive the Portuguese day's unfortunate gray skies and oppressive dampness, and the added audio inside the car was an even more welcome treat.

Being holistic sorts, BMW has also firmed up the springy bits underneath to help deal with the 335i's added aggression. An off-the-rack M-suspension pack drops the ride height by 10 millimeters and stiffer shocks and springs have been substituted, all particularly welcome changes in light of the fact that we had only ever driven on the circuit once before – and that was the previous afternoon. Interestingly, at 13.7-inches up front and 13.2-inches out back, the brakes have been left alone, though we've never had reason to doubt the 335i's binders in the past.



BMW says that the upgraded engine hardware is good for 0-60 in as little as 5.0 seconds for a coupe paired to the DCT gearbox. Row the gears in the fixed-roof variant yourself and you're looking at a 5.1 seconds. The convertible is a tenth of a second slower, regardless of transmission choice. It's important to note that BMW has a history of underreporting engine power figures and being conservative with its performance estimates, and judging by the acceleration we felt under suboptimal traction conditions – and the fact that DCT cars will be equipped with launch control (something with which our prototypes were not yet equipped) – we're guessing that the 335is is actually capable of clipping 60 miles-per-hour about a half-second quicker than BMW is letting on. Regardless of whether you specify a fixed or folding roof, the 335is packs it in at 150 mph.

More important than raw numbers is the way the 335is feels and behaves, and in this regard, we've only whetted our appetites with a limited amount of laps at Estoril with both the DCT and manual (these prototypes were sadly not plated for street use). Even given our limited time and closed course conditions, we can tell you that we like what we see so far. The 3 Series has always had exemplary balance, and the 335is is no exception, only now it has significantly more power to lunge from the apexes. Out on the circuit, the surplus torque offered by the temporary overboost function allows one to gloss over most track virgin mistakes – braking too early (or too late), or taking a bad line through a corner, and even if you get it spot-on, you'll get there that much more rapidly thanks to the extra power. We're pleased to report that the DCT seems particularly well-suited to the 3 Series' character, and it's similarly fine work on the track, being quicker than the (still excellent) tripedalist setup, especially as it allows for both hands on the wheel at all times.



Speaking of the steering wheel, on the 335is, it's an M Sport piece, as is the shift knob and matching sport seats. Other model-specific frosting includes an anthracite headliner, stainless pedal pads and footrest, along with special badging calling out the model name on the dashboard, tachometer and door sills. Like all 335i coupes, this new model comes with a moonroof as standard fit, something sure to please sybarites but potentially aggravate those who don't want the extra weight and higher center-of-gravity on the racetrack. BMW promises us that it's considering making the roof a delete option, but opting out isn't likely to save any money.

Speaking of money, we note that when Autoblog first revealed the official specs and pricing of the 335is, many readers balked over the price tag: $50,525 for the fixed-roof and $59,075 for the drop-head, with both prices including destination charges. We won't argue that BMW's asking for premium dollars, nor will we debate that they can get jarringly expensive after visiting the options list. Even still, the 335is doesn't strike us as a bad deal when analyzing the rest of the 3 Series lineup.



Think of it this way: a 2010 M3 coupe starts at $58,400, to which you must add $875 for destination and a further $1,300 for gas guzzler taxes (a 2011 model has not yet been announced). Total cost? $60,575 – before options. Yes, the V8-powered M3 offers significantly more horsepower (414), but does so at a skyscraping 8,300 rpm and has a comparative dearth of torque – 295 vs. 332 pound-feet – and that's without considering the 335i's massive overboost. What's more, the 335is' full measure of twist is available from just 1,500 revs, while the M3's eight-pot needs to be spinning more than twice as fast at 3,900 rpm. Lest we forget, despite its carbon-fiber roof, it also weighs a smidge more.

Don't get us wrong – we love every inch of the M3's sniper-like precision – it remains a fantastic car and an unrivaled piece of trackday artillery. But out on the street, you really do have to rev the Mobil 1 out of the V8 in order for it to feel genuinely quick. That's not to say that doing so is a chore, but for many drivers, the high-revving soundtrack can get tiresome on a day-in, day-out basis and the M3's care and feeding aren't exactly cheap. The 335is offers club racer competence swathed in a more relaxed, more civilized package with comparable levels of real-world thrust – all while leaving a couple of vacations' worth of coin in your bank account.



On the other end of the spectrum, an unadorned 2011 335i coupe runs $43,525 (that's $42,650 plus $875 for postage and handling), meaning that it costs exactly $7,000 less, but that doesn't include the 335is' additional standard equipment like the $1,550 sport pack. By our count, the cost difference at that point is $5,450, an amount that strikes us as a distinctly fair tariff for the new model's additional performance and kit. (The convertible's pricing premium is admittedly rather harder to swallow, but the same tough math applies with the 328i and 335i).

The first wave of 335is convertibles is slated to hit U.S. dealers in March, with the coupes to follow in June. Here's hoping that enthusiasts line up to buy them – if only to give BMW executives a good reason to offer more high-po specials and foreign-market forbidden fruit in the States.

[Source: Autoblog]

Brabus GL 63 Biturbo picks up where Mercedes AMG leaves off

Mercedes-Benz GL 63 by Brabus

The performance boffins over at AMG keep themselves pretty busy, churning out high-output versions of just about every vehicle in the Mercedes-Benz line-up. Just about, but not quite. For example, if you want a GL-Class family-hauler with the division's stonking 6.3-liter V8 engine, you're SOL. But that's where the aftermarket comes in, and Brabus has arrived at the scene to save the day. And then some.

Not only has Brabus fitted the 6.3-liter V8 to the GL, but they've bolted a pair of turbochargers in the process. And while they were at it, they tweaked the seven-speed auto-box, fitted a big water-to-air intercooler and upgraded the intake, exhaust, brakes, suspension and rolling stock. The result? 650 horsepower and nearly as much torque. That oughta be good for 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour) and hitting 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds along the way.

The Widestar body kit also widens the vehicle's stance, while the interior has been tricked out in custom leather, carbon fiber trim and LCD screens aplenty to keep the kids busy while you focus on maximum velocity. The super-truck will be unveiled in a couple of months at the Geneva Motor Show, but is available for order now from €368,000 ($518k).

[Source: Brabus]

2005 Volvo V50 SV


The V50 is the station wagon version of the Volvo S40 compact near-luxury car / small family car, produced by the Swedish automaker Volvo Cars.

It is based on the Volvo P1 platform shared with the Mazda Mazda3, and the new European Ford Focus. Ford Motor Company's Premier Automotive Group assembles the V50 at the Volvo factory in Ghent, Belgium. Volvo Cars Special Vehicle also produced a concept car based on the V50, the V50 SV, whose engine produces 340 hp (179 kW), and debuted at the 2004 Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII MR 2005


The Lancer Evolution (colloquially known as the "EVO") is Mitsubishi's flagship sports car. Based only on the unibody of the domesticated Lancer sedan, the Evo is a rally inspired, turbocharged, all wheel drive, durable, and finely tuned automobile. The number designation of the model is most commonly a roman numeral. Evolution models prior to version V were the officially approved models for Mitsubishi's efforts in the World Rally Championship's Group A class and SCCA Pro Rally Championship. In order to follow these rules, the Evolution is based on the same platform as the Lancer. However, it is much more powerful than the Lancer, with the unibody being the only major part in common between the two. Nine street versions of the Evolution have been produced from 1993 up to today. Evolution versions VI, VII, VIII and IX did not need to meet WRC homologation requirements.

2007 Suzuki SX4 US Version


American Suzuki Motor Corporation (ASMC) today announced a specially designed U.S. version of the all-new Suzuki SX4 vehicle is slated to hit dealer showrooms in the United States next year. Production of the European version of the SX4 in Eastern Europe also was announced today.

The all-new SX4 features a versatile, rigid five-door design, an available all-wheel-drive system, and for the U.S. market, a sophisticated fuel-sipping 2.0-liter DOHC engine.

Monday, January 25, 2010

Suzuki Swift VVT 2005


A redesigned Swift was announced at the Paris Auto Salon in September 2004. This Swift is intended to compete in the European B segment with the likes of Peugeot 206, Opel Corsa and the Fiat Punto. Available with 1.3 and 1.5 L engines, the new Swift is Suzuki's new "global car", to be produced in Hungary, India, Japan and by Chang'an in China. 3- and 5-door bodies are available.

The the new model is the first of its kind during which a Suzuki employed Indian engineers to design a car that would compete in the global market. The design of the new Swift was previewed on the Concept S and Concept S2 concept cars at auto shows, in the years leading up to its launch. It's proportions & essential shape are unmistakely like the BMW MINI, due to the blacked-out A-pillars and bumper-car stance. The exterior shape is described by some as "1.5 box".

Mercedes-Benz C55 AMG 2004


The second generation C-Class was introduced in 2000, with an even sportier look than the previous generations, with a steeper frontend and shorter rearend. The sedan debuted with a range of straight-four and V6 petrol engines and straight-four and straight-five Diesels. The V6s were versions of the previous model with increased displacement, to 2.6 L and 3.2 L, this one with 218 PS (160 kW/215 hp). The Diesels now featured common rail direct injection and variable geometry turbochargers. Six-speed manual gearboxes were now standard for nearly the entire range (except the C 320 and C 270 CDI). For the first time, the number designations were no longer equivalent to the engine displacement, more specifically in the C 180 (2.0 L), C 240 (2.6 L) and C 200 CDI (2.2 L).

Mercedes-Benz SL600 (2003 )


The SL55 AMG version was released in 2002 with a supercharged 5.4 L (5439 cc) Mercedes-AMG V8. This car produced 493 hp (367 kW) at 6,100 rpm and could run to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.7 seconds.

The SL55 AMG was updated for 2007 with a 510 hp (380 kW)/531 ft·lbf (720 N·m) version of the same engine. The new model has only slight visual differentiators, the most noticeable is the three-slat grille rather than the four-slat version used previously. It should be 0.2 seconds quicker to 100 km/h. Although the top speed remains limited to 250 km/h (155 mph), Mercedes-Benz will now allow the governor to be eliminated, increasing maximum speed to 300 km/h (186 mph).

Mazda RX-8 2003


The new Mazda RX-8 is truly a sports car like no other, with a revolutionary concept — a twin rotary engine sports car, an exterior design that is pure emotion, along with four doors and room for up to four adults. No other model bearing the five- point grille exemplifies Zoom-Zoom as clearly as this. The new Mazda RX-8 is indicative of the future of sports car technology at Mazda — sporty and functional, but never boring.

Mazda MazdaSpeed MX5


The Mazda MX-5 is a popular sports car built by Mazda in Hiroshima, Japan, since 1989. It is known as MX-5 Miata (or popularly just Miata) in North America, MX-5 in Oceania and Europe, and Roadster (under the Eunos marque until 1996) in Japan. The MX-5 is one of the world's best-selling sports cars, with 748,904 cars sold until the end of 2005. Beginning with the third-generation 2006 model, Mazda consolidated worldwide (excluding Japan) marketing using the MX-5 name, though enthusiasts in the USA (and the company itself) still refer to it as Miata, a name that means "reward" in Old High German.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350

A November Nor'Easter had chewed its way up to New England, delivering a cataclysmic combination of rain and wind as we headed out on a late-night errand. Normally, such a prospect requires a potent blend of Italian roast and Krank20 to stay hyper alert. Instead, behind the helm of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 4Matic, the going was serene and confident. In a word: Wow.

These moments of vehicular astonishment have thinned out in the last two decades. Just look around at the automotive landscape. Even more modest conveyances are kitted out like luxury cars of yore, packing tons of tech and safety features that were once the exclusive purview of the world's well-to-do. Can anything be impressive anymore? As a matter of fact, yes. The E350, as it strafed along the pavement, solid as granite and ready for anything, made us feel like true kaisers of the strasse. Horsepower-addicted auto reviewers have complained that the 3.5-liter V6 needs more spinach. Fine. You want speed, spring for the AMG E63 and shut up. But for the above-average family man, the E350 manages to transcend its asthmatic lungs, soft-spoken tiller and supple feet to foment serious respect, if not outright desire.
The new E-Class styling is crisp and classic, making the outgoing sedan look as dated as a cassette Walkman. Clapping eyes on the first pictures of the 2010 models showed a rear quarter panel distinctly reminiscent of a Chevrolet Impala – an obvious cause for alarm. Thankfully, the design translates more handsomely in person. No, that isn't the same milksop capitulation surrounding the Honda Crosstour. Scout's honor, the E350 is a great looking car. With its larger dimensions, the sedan resolves the styling in a classier way than the C-Class sedan and its two-door platform sibling, the E coupe.

Conservatively styled for traditional tastes, there's more surface work in the new body. Ovoid headlamps are now squared-up (one could almost use Ford's non-word "squircles") and the rear lamps swash across the tail more expressively than before. Mercedes-Benz hasn't gone off the Bangled deep-end with its latest E. No, this new idiom is sharper and more modern, with finely-tailored looks that have a certain amount of speed drawn in. There's motion in them thar lines and the details exude an air of automotive finery. Simply put, the E-Class will age well.




And classic styling is what's going on inside, too. The quintessential Mercedes cabin is a swell place to spend time, with the shape of the dashboard reminiscent of the panel in old W124s. But the interior design isn't as dated as that comparison might suggest, as the new E features a large LCD and spiffy gauges in the panel. Drawing a clear line back to its predecessors and packing the kind of high-tech firepower buyers in this class demand, the new E masterfully balances old and new. Although our tester's black ash trim brought the gloom and ash leather upholstery was already showing signs of being doomed to a life of clean-ishness, the pleating on the seats says "1987 300E" and what's wrong with invoking such a modern legend?

The materials, along with fit and finish, seem appropriately rich. There are touches of S-Class here and a dash of C-Class there, but the Mercedes parts bin is populated with good stock, so it feels familial instead of frugal. Lexus may be most recently identified with such fastidiousness, but the E350 displays an obsession with perfection. Even the headlight switch toggles with precision-machined feel, lending an air of importance to even the simplest task. There's virtually no slop in any of the ancillary controls, reiterating that the E-Class is one impeccably crafted automobile.



Around the interior, the expected high points are realized in good form. The optional Drive Dynamic seats act counter to cornering forces and offer a massage feature for those seeking a more intimate relationship with their chariot. The seats are all-day comfortable, but one of the first things we did was disable the groping functionality (we're fine with keeping this liaison platonic). Going with the standard power seats will keep $650 in your pocket, though the massagers are a boon to alertness on long slogs. If bladder-busting drives are your thing, perhaps the only thing better than groping seats and mechanical rollers would be integrated restrooms.

The rest of the technology in the E350 is surprisingly benign. COMAND isn't the epic agita-fest we expected, though the system needs fewer sub-menu steps and can be an outright distraction when delving deep into the structure. It's a good thing the Distronic Plus radar-based speed control is so amazingly good. Intervention is finely modulated, and the car even slowed itself to a momentary stop and accelerated again through a traffic circle with more aplomb than your average driver. The $3,950 Premium 1 package adds features many buyers will want, including hard-drive navigation, voice control, satellite radio, a rear view camera, heated seats and a dandy-good Harman Kardon Logic 7 audio system, while the $2,900 Driver Aid package installs the Distronic system, along with blind spot and lane monitoring. The sheer distraction of trying to use an iPod with the audio system means your eyes will be off the road for long stretches, so it's almost a necessity that the E can mostly drive itself. And while COMAND has lots of functionality built in, it's more clunky than iDrive or MMI, and stands a chance at flummoxing drivers just looking for directions to Bar Americain.



Thankfully, most of the functions have dedicated controls on the center stack. Switches for the ventilation system seem particularly well-considered and Mercedes employs little flippers that make setting temperature, fan speed and mode easy, with a clear bar graph displaying your settings. A column shifter for the seven-speed automatic transmission isn't exactly a sporting touch, but there are steering-wheel mounted shift buttons if you want to pose. Visibility out of the cabin was reminiscent of the low-cowl days of yesteryear, coupled with an airy atmosphere thanks to the glass roof. The biggest ergonomic gaffe is just Mercedes being Mercedes. To wit, the position of the cruise control stalk is exactly where the uninitiated driver expects to find the turn signals. You'll eventually adapt, but there's a period of unintentionally changing lanes without signaling, and not for lack of trying.

Though the E you see in the photos is a rear-drive example, our tester was equipped with Mercedes' all-wheel drive 4Matic system. Without trying the car in ultra-low traction situations (it was a downpour, not a blizzard), the AWD hardware didn't come into serious play as we formed our impressions of the driving experience. The ride proved just short of amazing, with a massively rigid bodyshell allowing the suspension to be topped up with whipped cream without shuddering and flopping about. Despite the plush ride, the E350 isn't all marshmallow – it's just more cushioned than a BMW 5 Series. And while there's a good amount of bodyroll, the E still feels reassuring as it heels over and takes a set. As you'd expect, this is not the sedan for hooliganism, though it won't make a total fool of itself if you force it to play along.




The helm is much sharper than Benzes of yore and even offers some feedback. Watching the tri-star hood ornament rotate through a turn like a gunsight makes up for having to correct mid-corner – something we experienced on more than one occasion. And for a 90-degree V6, the 268-horsepower 3.5-liter is impressively serene. Silent at idle, the engine is smooth and makes the most of its modest pride of horses when wound hard. It even snarls when caned, but it's nothing to set your heart aflutter. The buttery-smooth seven-speed automatic is best left to its own devices, so just ignore the silly, useless paddles and let the trans slides through its ratios without so much as a head bob. Despite having a cogtacular ratio spread, there's only so much power deficit the gearing can counter for, and the E350 is comparatively down on snort. Fuel economy also suffers a bit from the whipping you'll do to keep up.

The E350's stock in trade is being the seriously solid benchmark that we've come to expect. The extra-strong structure feels unbreakable, and there's a seemingly endless well of tricks to keep vibrations and harshness from entering the cabin. The brakes, too, proved unflappable – no surprise considering the myriad of electronics employed to keep the rotors dry and primed for action. Yet despite all the active and passive safety features (nine airbags, active headlamps and the Pre-Safe system which rolls up the windows, closes the sunroof, adjusts the seats and pre-tensions the belts if it senses an impending crash), the E350 doesn't drive like an autonomous space capsule – even when it suggests you stop for coffee when it detects drowsiness.



In the new E's most recent TV spots, Mercedes touts the decades of experience and innovation it brought to bear on the all-new E-Class. Strangely, this is one of those rare instances when marketing speaks truth. While the excellence does cost (the E350 starts at $49,000 and our tester rang in at around $60k), you won't feel ripped off, even if you opt for the V6. If past E-Class Benzes have lost the marque's storied status, the E350 is finally the vehicle to win it back, come hell, highwater or Nor'Easter.

Share

Twitter Delicious Facebook Digg Stumbleupon Favorites More