moTorINg
mErcEdEs E-cLass 400 by Maarten hoffmann, Senior Motoring Editor the E-class has long been a favourite of mine as larger than the c-class but smaller than the S-class so, just like goldilocks and the three bears, it’s perfect.
obviously, calls on the allure of the aMg name but doesn’t come with a snarling v8. Never mind, this engine is plenty and coming from me, that’s saying something.
first we should deal with the slight confusion Mercedes benz seem to enjoy sowing – this is not a 4-litre engine. Nor does the 300 have a 3-litre engine or the E-220 have a 2.2-lite engine! confused? yeah, me too but get over it as this is just the way they like to do it.
this model is matched against the audi a7 Sportback and the bMW 6-Series and, as the audi is ugly as a dog, really only the bMW competes.
the E-class 400 has a superb 329bhp, 3.0-litre v6 power plant and is the range topper until the full-fat aMg version makes an appearance. it’s available only in aMg line trim, which, perhaps
the body is beautiful and stylish and rarely fails to impress and although the BMW 6-Series is definitely more rakish, the Mercedes benz is more stylish and refined. Proportionally, the new E-Class coupé is larger than its predecessor in every major dimension, which is no great surprise given their origins. this, then, is
The E-class 400 has a superb 329bhp, 3.0-litre v6 power plant and is the range topper until the full-fat amg version makes an appearance ❜❜
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PLATINU
a 4.86m-long car that’s 1.86m wide in the body (2.07m including mirrors) and has a lengthy, 2.87m wheelbase. the suspension is a multi-link set-up both front and rear. Whereas most E-class coupé variants get coil springs as standard and air suspension as an option, this E400 has air suspension across the board. there are three air chambers in each spring strut at the rear of the car, and two at the front, with three levels of spring rate selectable from the driver’s seat. there’s continuously variable damping, too. as well as selecting the suspension stiffness, the E-class’s drive modes let you choose how angry you want the engine, transmission and steering response to be. it is very fast in angry mode (my default) but also quite uncomfortable and jerky which is great if you are in a race but not so much on the road. it is plenty fast enough without it. With the 9-speed gearbox, it is as smooth as silk.
PLATINUM
the interior feels luxurious with deeply bolstered seats with countless adjustments, and the dash is very well laid out and at your fingertips. you can even choose from 64 colour options for the
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