Test drive Mercedes Benz E-class w211 2002-2006 sedan

Nature and aesthetic

Pulman of the President of the Russian Federation is the face of the company, but the indicator of its success is the business class sedan. Therefore, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse is so interesting.
The story of the eyeless Mercedes began in 1995, and 1.4 million cars were produced in seven years. That is, about 200 thousand cars were collected a year. At the first presentation of the new E-Klasse, which took place in February in Brussels, representatives of Daimlerchrysler unveiled the following numbers: in 2002, 200 thousand eshki will be collected, and in 2003-already 250 thousand if this model lasts on a conveyor at least seven years, and in the financial world there will not be a crisis, the record will be blocked. At the same time, the Germans are not embarrassed by the fact that among fans of the brand in the West, dissatisfaction with the quality of Stuttgart products is growing. But this is a small spoon of tar in a huge barrel of honey. So far, one fifth business class market is for e-klasse.
Elegance. E-Klasse was updated much later than the prestigious S- and democratic C-Klasse. This time, the designers did not dare to radically change their appearance, but simply invited, in our opinion, the rather gloomy features of the previous model, so the eye not only easily recognizable, but also looks much friendly than the predecessor. The forms of headlights and grilles of the radiator have changed a bit, and clear stamping appeared on the hood. The appearance of the machine has become also sports and purposeful. And when our colleagues overtook the previous generation on the E-Klasse Autoban, then another curious thing opened from the side. The new Mercedes looked much more compact, despite the fact that it became 23 mm wider and 12 mm longer. That's what it means skillfully to draw a couple of extra lines on paper, which later embodied in the side moldings and a small stamping in the upper part of the trunk.

And inside it is a fundamentally new car. Three elegant dials on the instrument panel: in the middle - a huge speedometer, on the right is a tachometer, on the left is the turnout. In the corners are original sensors of fuel level and coolant temperature. The speedometer is performed in modestly functionally: inside-a round display on which the data of the on-board computer, navigation and audio systems are displayed. And the speedometer arrow walks, as it were, on the rim of this display.
 
The front panel at the same time seemed much more practical than in the previous version, and definitely beautiful. The Germans finally abandoned the strict imperial style and breathed more human warmth into their creation. Rounded lines and smooth transitions appeared. The interior of E-Klasse generally resembles the most expensive Mercedes-SL. Governing bodies are grouped in both models according to one principle.
A large information display is traditionally located in the center of the beard. It reflects the basic information of navigation and audio systems. Around the control buttons are located, including the keyboard of the built -in mobile phone, and the device itself is fixed in the armrest. Above the display is the air conditioner control unit or Thermotronic system. Below - single -position buttons of the heater of the seats, locking locks and other trifles.
Avantgarde. The new E-Klasse is, by definition, is primarily intended for business people with a stable financial situation. At the same time, we note that E-Klasse is perhaps the most democratic Mercedes, accessible to people with a different level of income. After all, the difference between the cheapest and most expensive model is $ 60 thousand and even the cheapest modification has a very rich set. It includes a rain of turning on the headlights and a rain sensor, a computer control and a built-in GSM-telephone from the steering wheel, SBC system (electro-hydraulic control brakes) and Thermatic climatic installation with separate streams for four users (two in front, two in the back). By the way, the SBC system is regularly installed on a car of this class for the first time.

The list of additional equipment has more than 20 positions, but I would like to dwell on three. Firstly, this is an active suspension of Airmatic DC, which puts the owner of the Eshki at the same level with the master from S-Klasse. And some can feel even more cool: if the S-Klasse is from 1998, then it is simply installed by Airmatic. The prefix DC (Dual Control) means a qualitative leap in the development of the system. It not only changes the rigidity of the entire suspension, but also regulates the damping capabilities of shock absorbers.
 
That is, not only monitors the body's rolls in corners, but also extinguishes the clinks during braking. The whole system is regulated from the passenger compartment and reacts to the wishes of the driver to a record fraction of seconds. We played this system on a mountain road at low speeds and on a rather winding highway on high. On the highway, the capabilities of the system are manifested only when the speed exceeds 170 km/h. With a sharp overtaking or when the body rolls is very insignificant when entering a steep turn - it seems that the car is driving along the rails. On a winding serpentine, especially when you have to sharply slow down before turning almost 180 degrees, the work of Airmatic DC allows you to maintain a proud-present attitude towards what is happening in the car, and not twitch the whole body in accordance with the laws of physics.
Another novelty is an automatic inflatable driver's chair controlled by a computer. By processing information about the speed, rotation of the steering wheel and the presence of lateral acceleration, the automation changes the outline of the seat. In the turns, the feeling is created that the back of the seat and the pillow seem to push your body, preventing it from breaking away from the chair.
Classic. This year, five different engines will be installed on the E-Klasse: three gasoline (E 240, E 320 and E 500) and two diesel engines (E 220 CDI and E 270 CDI). Unfortunately, diesel engines will still not take root in our country, although they are stable popular in the West. Nevertheless, the hit of all seasons is the modification of E 320: it accounts for about 20 percent of the total E-Klasse sales. But the Russians have a wide soul, and many will surely pay attention to the most-most-E 500, although, between us, its price in Russia will be comparable with the S 320 model.

 
Having passed only a few kilometers, we realized why the Airmatic DC system is included in the standard E 500 package. Because it is calm to ride it calmly. Even with an automatic gearbox. In flat and direct sections of the Auto, E 500 holds a speed of 200-230 km/h. At the same time, the steering wheel is expelled due to a variable gear ratio and a variable reactive effort. In combination with a hard -minded suspension, it seems that the car is simply flying over the road, obeying the slightest order of the driver.
The reaction to Kick-Down is also amazing. Here we stand at a traffic light, enjoying the enveloping comfort of the cabin. A second later, the traffic light winked at yellow, and the guy in the next sports coupe snorted menacingly with a confident exhaust. Let us let it go a couple of meters and only then sharply, to a barely audible click under the pedal, click on the gas. The engine is almost instantly untwisted to maximum speed, and Sportkup already swallows our dust. And where is its owner? Somewhere there, far behind.
 
In the salons of all Mercedes dealers, next to the expensive E 500, they promise to certainly expose more democratic E 240. Although not so powerful, but Mercedes. The configuration is very close to five hundred, but an order of magnitude cheaper. And if E 240 does not break from the start like a sports car, then it can be sprinkled with dignity. Since the machine gun on it is a sectral type, with the possibility of choosing programs.
In manual mode, E 240 accelerates much more freak than on the machine. Cunning electronics in automatic mode transfer the transmission up much earlier than the excitement and speedometer readings prompt. Having switched to a pseudo-mechanical, you can force the tachometer arrow to touch the red zone, especially if you constantly put pressure on Kick-Down. Naturally, outstanding results in Street-Race will not be able to achieve, but the inferiority complex will not torment. And on the highway E 240 is kept quite worthy and on the machine.
This is what a kind of democracy turns out in Mercedes. Having spent a little less than $ 1 billion on the development of a new E-Klasse, Daimlerchrysler has created a very successful and harmonious car. On the one hand, he became much more elegant, more comfortable and more modern than the former eye. On the other hand, he retained the unique quality of the Mercedes for everyone who wants to ride it.
Text Nikolay Kachurin, photo of the author
Model/Modification MB E 240 MB E 500
Manufacturer/country Daimlerchrysler AG/Germany
BODY
Type sedan
Number of doors/places 4/5
ENGINE
Basin type with electronic injection
Front location, longitudinally
Working volume (cubic cub) 2597 4966
The number/location of the cylinders 6/V-shaped 8/V-shaped
Power, kW (L.S.) at about./Min. 130 (177) at 5700 225 (306) at 5600
Moment (Nm at about./Min.) 240 at 4500 460 at 2700-4250
TRANSMISSION
The rear drive
Gearbox automatic, 5-speed
SUSPENSION
Front n
e -dependent type Mcpherson, reptile stabilizer
The rear independent, multi -link, reptile stabilizer
STEERING
Type gear rack with a hydraulic wrap and a damper, integral type
Min. Diameter of turn (m) 11.4
Brakes
Front/rear circular ventilated/disk
ABS 4-channel, brake force distribution system, ESP.
Dimensions/volumes/weight
Length/width/height (mm) 4818/1822/1452 4818/1822/1430
Wheel base (mm) 2854
Equipped mass (kg) 1570 1725
Tires 205/60 R16 245/45 R17
Disks 7j x 16 8j x 17
Dynamic characteristics
Maximum speed (km/h) 233 250
Acceleration to 100 km/h (sec.) 9.1 6.1
Economy
Average fuel consumption (l/100 km) 10.3 11.5
The price in Moscow is $ 30-90 thousand.
Prices for additional equipment in Moscow
Panoramic roof $ 2035
Suspension Airmatic DC $ 2035
Distronic distance support system $ 2566
Multi -contour sitting $ 700
Thermotronic climate installation $ 878
Metallic color $ 965
Salon decoration with leather $ 2027
 

Source: "Autopilot"