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

Return "Five Highway"

Again, after more than seven years, the E-class Mercedes acquired the E500 version. Now in the new body under the number w211
 
The new Mercedes looked in the city of science and art, where an official presentation was held, excellent. This city has grown (and continues to grow) near the center of Spanish Valencia and is a modernist architectural complex with rounded domes, vast pools and incredible structures on giant concrete legs, somewhat reminiscent of the paws of huge insects from the paintings of Salvador Dali. The E-class did not look in these decorations of the future by the guest from the past, on the contrary, he fit into them with the dignity of a man in a tuxedo, from whom they never ask for invitations to a party. But what is surprising: the car is its own in modern quarters and near old houses, which was easy to see during a test drive. In a word, you can remove the hat in front of the designers.
 
Eye, become embarrassed and in Russia, remained so in the new hypostasis. Its appearance still evokes warm feelings, it cannot be ignored or confused with any other model in the city crowd. But he, of course, has changed, and, in my opinion, for the better. With the previous length, the E-class grew by 12 mm and replenished by 23 mm. Having managed to find even greater ease and swiftness, which clearly visible in more acute and expressive features compared to the previous model. The designers managed to achieve this, changing the slope of the false radiator lattice and the same four eyes that simultaneously stretched slightly, as if under the pressure of the oncoming wind. Plus, the overhangs are smaller, since the wheelbase increased by 21 mm.
 
The car looks just as dynamic on the side. But the back made me shook my shoulders personally. No, there is nothing special in it. And from a certain angle, it looks even quite organic. But the fact of the matter is that nothing special. Perhaps I was waiting for something more, not only simplicity and functionality. Although the ass is made more funny than two clear horizontal lines - a short third stop signal that has been located above the three -beam star, and a longer chrome - above the license plate. The rear lights seem to have become more, but retained traditional contours.
 
Salon is beyond praise. He lost excessive stiffness and severity, becoming much more comfortable. In expensive versions, with warm wood and magnificent skin, this is especially noticeable. There is no need to talk about ergonomics - everything is in place, and the necessary buttons, and a cup holder, floating out of an armrest, and an ashtray so hated by the Americans. The dashboard is dominated by a huge speedometer dial, on which, at the request of the driver, the instructions of the navigation system are duplicated (it is located as usual, on the right in the central console), or various data are displayed - from air temperature overboard to fuel consumption.
 
Mercedes cars say this: you sit down, slam the door - with such a soft, special click - and immediately understand what you paid so much. This can be fully attributed to the e-class. Take at least an amazing range of longitudinal seats adjustment - 29 cm or the ability of the steering wheel to advance to b cm and rise to 5. That is, it should be convenient and fragile young lady and weightlifting. And not only ahead, but also from behind, on the couch. By the way, now you can order the rear seats-ranges. Then, if you back the back or part of it, the length of the trunk will increase to 1740 mm. Well, after ordering a front passenger seat with a folding back, you can even transport skiing for jumping from a springboard.
 
However, it is time not to describe, but to try.
 
Discovery Day
 
It makes sense in ignorance, I will tell you, gentlemen! For example, by the first day of the test drive, I did not bother resolutely to read anything about the new car, but until the evening I made wonderful discoveries. Having given valuable instructions of the navigation system (this can be done orally) and slightly by pressing the pedal of the Accelerator E500 (start, so with the top version!), I immediately felt that something was wrong. I’m going further - everything is fine, but the sensation does not disappear. Getting out of the Valencian crowd, I even turned off the music pouring from an excellent audio system (I pressed a button next to the emergency stop signal, the panel left on the microlift, opening access to the CD player, into which you can download six discs at once) to understand what is the matter) .
 
Silence in the salon, outside the windows, some other life, in a timid whisper reminding itself of the bliss in Mercedes, in an individual world, with its climate. Here it is! I do not hear the usual noise of climate control. But I'm not hot not cold. Therefore, the system works, reason. And then I begin to capture her rustle. Already in the evening, at a press conference, smart people from the concern explained that the installation of climate control became really much quieter, but, most importantly, more effective, and it is called Thermotronic. And before the fact that it is able to provide individual control for each (!) Of the four passengers, I myself reached the time of the trip.
 
But I was more shocked by another discovery that I made when I went on the track. I gain speed and start overtaking, twisting the steering wheel to the left. And then I feel how the chair helpfully pouts the right rollers of lateral support. I turn to the right - rollers are inflated on the left. Moreover, the higher the speed and steeper turn, the more effective the support. Moreover, and the chair itself, as it were, changes its shape, taking exactly the one that is most convenient at the moment. I like it! It turned out that the automatic multi -circuit driver's seat is valid, which can be ordered. And, honestly, if I get ready to buy a five -hundredth, I will definitely purchase such a chair. They, of course, are controlled by a computer in which information is received about the speed of movement, corner of rotation of the steering wheel and the magnitude of transverse accelerations. It quickly compares all these data and creates an unprecedented convenience. You can even order back massage by pressing a special button on the left below.
 
Since we are talking about the front seats, it is worth saying that they are equipped with electronic scales. It is important to know the weight to the computer in order to open the airbag completely or only partially and not harm a fragile person or child in case of an accident. All of humanity in the E-class is divided into four weight categories, no matter how offended it. And the car also recognizes the children's chair. All this in combination with special hit sensors provides, the designers say, excellent protection of the driver and passengers. I believe my word.
 
But on this my discoveries did not end. I still did not hide all the buttons, because at first I decided not to deny myself the pleasure and experience the dynamic characteristics of the car, while such an opportunity was presented. There were few cars on the highway, the left strip, as far as the eye was enough, is empty, and the police are not visible - why not press the gas? Acceleration is confident and unrelenting. But with an increase in speed, I clearly notice how the five hundredth is competently pressed to the ground, and the suspension becomes clearly tougher. Great reaction! I pay attention to another important circumstance. Usually, the more comfortable the car, the weaker its connection with the sinful land at high speeds. And after 200 km/h, many models have to be steamed to make sure that you are going, not flying, and in the direction in which you need. E500 is another matter. I will not say that this is a sports stool, but still the car instills confidence with aggressive and fast driving.
 
In general, even for simple versions of the new E-class, the suspension is significantly redesigned. Both aluminum appeared in the front and back, which facilitated their total weight by 30%. I dealt with active Airmatic DC air suspension, which is standardly installed on the five hundredth and is an option for other modifications. The DC abbreviation is Dual Control, meaning that electronics can simultaneously change both the rigidity of the elastic elements and the characteristics of shock absorbers. Moreover, the parameters change in just 0.005 seconds. This is done automatically, depending on the conditions of movement. But the driver himself is not without the opportunity to control this cunning system. It can, for example, reduce the clearance by 5 mm, or, conversely, increase it by 15 mm. In addition, the sport mode makes the pendants tougher, and the comfort mode, respectively, is softer. However, if you choose a comfortable ride, but at the same time gain speed, the computer will independently change the parameters.
 
The steering, as it should be on vehicles of this class, is adaptive, that is, with an increase in speed or with an increase in the angle of rotation of the steering wheel, it becomes more acute. Brakes - electro -hydraulic, SBC (Sensotronic Brake Control). Transmission for the E500 - a 5 -speed automatic with the possibility of manual gear shifts. The system of adaptive cruise control itself maintains a distance to the in front of the coming car.
 
Stopping to drink coffee, I decided to get to know the car better. And he found out, for example, that in the hatch, if any, solar panels are installed that feed the climatic installation. So the cabin is always cool. The rain sensor is standard equipment. And one of the keys, it turns out, activates the Tunnel Closing system: when entering the tunnel, the electronics itself will close all the glass and hatch. I checked - it works ...
 
What else? The fuel tank in the new E-class model is shifted forward and is located under the rear seats. Due to this, it was possible to increase the volume of the trunk by 20 liters. True, taking into account the spare wheel compartment, which is absent, and in case of puncture in the standard version there is a Tirefit repair kit with a special sealant.
 
The trunk lid now opens and closes automatically, using an electric drive.
 
On a diesel engine
 
In fact, there are three gasoline engines - E240, E320 and the same E500. But I did not find any revelations for weaker versions, so I decided to devote the second day to diesel modifications, given that they will also be delivered to the Russian market.
 
Two diesel: E220 CDI and E270 CDI. And, I must honestly say, neither that nor the other disappointed. The vibrations are minimal, the motor is well heard only at idle and low speeds. For the route on mountain roads, I deliberately chose the weakest version with a mechanical 6-speed checkpoint.
 
Of course, the car is simpler, but these are still Mercedes, and it behaves in full accordance with the image of the brand. If you actively manipulate the gearbox with a lever, it is easy to provide quite decent acceleration and gain maximum speed indicated in the technical characteristics. On the other hand, a traction engine that provides grabbing from a thousand revolutions allows you to move in one gear in a rather large speed range.
 
Already on a mountainous bad road, by some miracle, I noticed a five-hundred-hundredth, and, away from sin, hastened to take it to the right. I did the right thing. The test-pilot was already in the middle of the turn (and in the middle of the road), when he noticed me, and took the steering wheel to the right. At the same time, his face was almost smeared on the side glass. It was painfully familiar to me. So only the Turks and Russians ride on tests, and this time the Turks were not ...
 
So, my colleague and I decided to reduce the path, and at the same time check the capabilities of a diesel car on a secondary mountain road. On the map, it was designated as quite suitable for movement, and the navigation system confidently led us forward. In fact, it was a very cool shepherd trail, however, asphalt. We prayed to God that here, where nothing was visible behind the nearest turn - either a forest or a rock on one side and an abyss on the other - we did not meet a dashing driver. And it is desirable that no one meets at all. One thought reassured: somehow they go here! True, the Parktronic system squeaked plaintively, but we did without incident.
 
And yet we met the tiny ancient Renault. He had to almost hang sideways on the slope, so that we would leave with the greatest caution. At the same time, the driver looked at us like aliens with an amazed smile. Here, when I had to go back, I established myself in the opinion that the side mirrors are still too small and inconvenient for a car of this class. Well, there are spots in the sun.
 
Configurations and prospects
 
The new E-class is proposed in three basic performances: Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde. Fifteen bodies of body. Very soon the most charged version will appear - E55 AMG. Modifications of the E200 Kompressor, E200 CDI are also expected, and another with diesel engine V8. There will probably be a 4Matic all -wheel drive and a station wagon.
 
About the plans of the concern related to the entering the new E-class market, we are talking with the Vice President of Mercedes-Benz Joachim Schmidt:
 
“The e -class has always been accompanied by success in the market, and with the new model we intend to fix it by increasing the sale in this segment by 10%,” he says. - Therefore, investments in the product were very significant - about two billion euros. 800 million went for development, and 1.2 billion - to improve production technologies. I think you have already managed to evaluate the car. But you can hardly already know that the new E-class received the highest score, 5 stars on crash tests according to the EURONCAP system.
 
As for production volumes, this year we plan to produce 200 thousand cars, and the next already 250 thousand. The car will be sold in all markets without exception. In Europe, we plan about 60% of cars (of which 35% in Germany). As for fears about the fall of the market, I think Mercedes will not affect this, we confidently look into the future.
 
Mr. Schmidt also noted that the options for creating assembly production in Russia are being considered, but so far we are clearly talking about them.
 
Finally, about prices. As already mentioned, all versions of the new E-class will enter the Russian market. It will happen in April. The most affordable will cost from 45,000 euros. The most expensive is 90,000 euros.
 
Oleg Osipov
 
 

Source: "Automobile Izvestia"