Drive-way
CAB AUDIT
Audited 15,879
Distribute in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide
as at Mar 31,2009
15-05-09 No. 116 Editor: Geoff Fickling, Edmund Chow Design: Driveway Design Group
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Drive-way
Tel: 03) 9888 7199 Fax: 03) 9888 7299 Suite 7, Level 1, 2-8 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East, VIC 3151 Info@sameway.com.au
Mercedes Benz B200 may spell as BEST
Car News ཱིΙфGolf – The New Golf Tiguan - R-line equipment packages
F1 News F1ᗉٙϤમថڏѲ
ႳࡄᅾȊ Drive-way
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15-05-09 No. 116
Mercedes Benz B200 may spell as BEST
We have driven the A Class and we actually have tracked down the birth of the B Class as well. Well, the B class is just slightly longer than the A-Class; however, we felt the B may perhaps spell as BEST. It is difficult to find a clear-cut solution to fight against ever increasing fuel price and travelling comfort, and not to mention safety as well. However, the B-class that we have driven has the right answer. Mercedes Benz has marketed the B-class as a Sports Tourer. We couldn’t agree more. The car that we have driven was an automatic with Autotronic continuously variable transmission. With a DOHC 2,034 cc engine producing 100kW at 5,500 rpm and 185Nm of torque @3,500 – 4,000 rpm. The car is competent for almost everything. The fuel consumption is remarkable, as quoted from Mercedes, to be around 7.2 litres per 100 kilometers. However, we can get a better result of around 6.8 litres or so in our combined city and highway run. The car is equipped with a panoramic louvered sunroof, providing excellent sunlight. We like the first part of the louver being able to tilt up for deflecting the wind. I believe anyone who cares about his/her hair will love this devise. It also comes with two roller blinds that defuse excessive sunlight coming in as well. What we felt about this B200 was that it could fit in very well with the city travelling condition. It is not too big as it is just 390mm longer and just a few millimetres wider than the A class. However, due to its clever sandwich design of the cabin floor that allows the engine to slip under the cabin in case of an
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Drive-way ٙൢ! Edmund Chow Translation: Alex Liao
unavoidable accident, it has a more up right sitting and more aerodynamic body. Then, it is actually a more SUV body type rather than a sedan or wagon. Although the car was not fitted with electrically adjustable front seat, it did not compromise anything in offering excellent sitting position. Road handling is amongst the best in its class. It is precise, without much unnecessary movement happening. I even have driven it on gravel and unsealed road, it was at ease with its four low profile sports tyres. Even though it was not built as a sports car, I found acceleration was acceptable and could give you that confidence in overtaking or making that urgent right turn on a busy road. It has ABS and better electronic stability program “ESP”, front ventilated brake disc and solid at the back. I truly believe that the car fits for any driver. As a matter of fact, it is perhaps ideal for new drivers as well. As its outlook is remarkably cue, with 17 inches 10-spoke alloy wheels accompanied with 205/50x17 premium rubber. Other safety features includes air curtain and front and side airbags. If you ask me whether I like this car or not, I will say I prefer this B200 rather than other cars or sportwagon in its class. It is easy to live with. In addition, it has a sub A$50,000 price tag to start with a prestigious name and safety record, why bother the other brands? However, the satellite navigation system needs to be upgraded to touch screen mode. I truly believe it will then be even more enjoyable.
15-05-09 No. 116
רঈෆငၐᎽႆҁޟݽA فӖȂרঈζΙޢඉၬBفӖีޟȄณՄרঈี౪ BفӖ༉ШAفӖ฿σΙٲȂٮཐឈΰBفӖޟӪԅӵ़ᇭϛࡹ࣏“BEST”ᎌ ӫ“BENZ”এࠢถȄ ޟጂԤᘈᜲ࡙ȂӵᆣӫՃኌᐽݶငᔼܒȃᎽᎻᎌڷܒԊӒܒϛԃդϗײ ڗശٹ၌ؚПਰȇᗙԁȂӵၐᎽBفӖٙࡣϠΟרঈ๎ਰȄ Mercedes BenzϴѧBفӖޟѿൟۡ՝࣏ၼଢ଼ਡٙȂᘈרঈϚӒഋृ ӣȄרঈၐᎽޟᎄരΟAutotronicᡐഀݰޟٙȄDOHC 2,034 ccЕᔝӵ at 5,500 rpmҡ100kW ᒯюђȂӣਢӵ3,500 – 4,000 rpmҡശσޟ 185NmׯΨȄ
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এၼଢ଼ᎈपᄇԪሆᚬᔖᄇȄ։ٺѺϚၼଢ଼ٙپ೩ॎȂѺޟёഀܒζོ ձٗஊޟՌ߬Жў຺ٙܖӵᖅԔၾၯΰٖȄ ABS ڷΟޟႫυᛧۡفಛ“ESP”Ȅࠉॳ ٙᆅȂרጂۡѺᎌӫӨᎽᎻ ޱȄٱᄂΰȂѺհཱི࣏Йޟ৴ᎽԤٗஊ֜ޟЕΨȂฒ፣ڏџདྷޟѴߒȂ17ψ 10Ԓӫߜᎈᄐསΰ205/50x17ᇺपᗙཇࠉڷȃ७ೡ้ڏԊӒ ӰશȄ ԃݎձ୰֏ר᠍၎ٙȂོרӵڏтࠢถܖӣޟsportwagonѴᒵᐅѺȇ ѫѺৠܾࣺȄѪѴȂѺճܻA$50,000ޟቋᓀȂю٘ӪߞڷԊӒޟᖐఖȂ άձϚདӵᒵᗊڏтࠢถਢೝ้้ٲ୰ᚠ֨ܚᘙޟ౩ҥȄ
၎ٙညޟӒශᄧ᠒ԒЈๅ࣏ٙϱඪټΟшٗޟӎȂרঈ᠍тࠉјഋϷ ܚඪޟټᙙ༊࣠ይȂרٺঈڗڧٴፀפޟཐȄܚࣺ߬רԤӵнтঈᏁޟ Ρρོ᠍ΰѺȄѺᗙඪټΟڍൽᅌᛨҢоᎍ᐀ѴޟӎȄ B200רঈޟӟຫтᎌӫ࠲ѿᎽᎻనӇȂѺٮϚσȇ༉390mmߝȂи༉Ш AفӖቶᘈȄுઉܻڏέМݽ྅ޟ܈ٙ࢜೩ॎȂоՍܻӵϚџᗗջ࢈ٱޟਢȂ ЕᔝڧΨೝഞΣڗ৴ঘήȄтԤၶଽޟ৴՝ުڷଢ଼Ψ೩ॎٙ٘Ȅٱᄂΰ тԤտܻএΡٙڷਡٙՄຫSUVȄᗶณ၎ٙؠԊ၆Ⴋυ፡ਮࠉ௶৴ා ȂѺޟጂؠ၆ӈդඪټᎌ৴࠼ޟ೩രȄ ӵӣϛᎽᎻཐឈ឴ശԁޟΟȂؠԤӻᎷޟಋଢ଼ȄࣥՍӵؓүၯΰȄѺڷѲ
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CAB AUDIT
Audited 15,879
Distribute in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide
as at Mar 31,2009
19-06-09 No. 121 Editor: Geoff Fickling, Edmund Chow Design: Driveway Design Group
ٙൢ!
Drive-way
Tel: 03) 9888 7199 Fax: 03) 9888 7299 Suite 7, Level 1, 2-8 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East, VIC 3151 Info@sameway.com.au
Mercedes Benz ҁ!ݽᗉເЙ!
Sprinter 311 CDI
CarNews: News Car Performance Jaguar XF In Police Pursuit Jaguar XF ᑖ࢜ଽܒឌٙ Kia grows market share despite tighter Australian market Best new car Getz best used car award Getz᠄ࢂശཱིٹٙЅശٹΠЙٙዩ IS 250C Proved In The Harsh Australian Sun
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19-06-09 No. 121
Mercedes Benz Sprinter 311 CDI When I was running a backpacker bus company, I came across the Sprinter. It was configurated as a bus. That means it has 14 seats. At that stage, it was by all means the best people mover that I came across. The second generation Sprinter was even better. For a start, it has ironed out some of the problems with its automatic transmission. It doesn’t need the driver to remember to put the gear into neutral before turning the engine off. I still remember vividly one of my coworkers rang me up and asking me how to start the engine when he refilled the Sprinter in a remote service station. The Sprinter that we have tested is a medium wheelbase. I would say it is similar to the size of an ambulance. Inside the Sprinter, you can find all the designs are catered for the comfort of the driver. There are places for holding invoices, delivery dockets and pockets to put pens etc. Although, it seems to be a big car, driving it was like bliss. Unlike some of the leading Japanese brands, the Sprinter and other European brands opted for a half bonnet front engine set up. I believe that makes sense, as Occupational Health and Safety regulations would agree with any one for a safer and better car, as when accident may happen. It has pre-tensioner seat belt and airbags. According to the government website www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au, it has an excellent crash rating. The car has a 2,148cc 4-cylinder intercooled turbo diesel engine. It produces 80kW of power and 280Nm of torque at 1,600-2,500 rpm. It complies with the Euro 4 standard and is ready for Euro 5 as well. As a matter of fact, the
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Drive-way ٙൢ! Edmund Chow
Sprinter is very similar to the Volkswagen Crafter. However, I feel the Sprinter is better in terms of handing. Equipped with the optional 5 speed automatic transmission, the Sprinter is easy for anyone to drive. Perhaps, the automatic gear attracted me several years ago as rare equipment in the delivery van segment, rather than a boring 6 speed manual gear box. Just imagine, when you have to be a professional courier and on the road a lot of time, the automatic just saves you from stress on traffic and it can beat the time for delivery. Side mirrors are heated with split level of normal and wide angle view for the lower bottom part. When revisiting the driving comforts of the car, as I have said, it has more improvements on handling. Steering is powered as part of the standard equipment. Hence, the turning circle is just 13.6 metres. With the medium wheel base, it is just slightly wider and longer than that of a Japanese delivery van, but it gives you extra safety package on crash protection. It has state of the art safety package called as Adaptive Electronic Stability Program which includes ABS, EBD, ROM(Roll Over Mitigation), RMI(Roll Movement intervention) and USC (Under Steer Control) complimented with all disc brakes, it spells 5 stars safety in everyone’s term. All fitted with 235/65R16 Continential radial tyres on steel rims. It is a strong and versatile combination. Alloy wheel can be ordered as an option. No wonder why it is chosen to help various government services as their moving partner. The Australian Post and Ambulance Services in Victoria chose Sprinter as their reliable workhorse. My daughter loves the bench seats in the cargo bay. To her, the interior seems to be very comfortable for putting up a tent. As a matter of fact, European
19-06-09 No. 121
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ҁ!ݽᗉເЙ!Sprinter 311 CDI loves converting the Sprinter alike van into Campervan. And it is very popular, European and local Campervan manufacturers already have some ready made models. It has 10.5 cubic metres load capacity with a 1,565 wide opening barn rear door, which can easily help to take in a pallet by a fort lift. However, I like to see putting in additional sliding door on the driver’s side. That will help the driver to unload stuff; but obviously this will increase cost and selling price. As for pricing, it starts from $41,190. I recommend it anyone to consider buying a mid size van of short to long wheel base. Certainly it has lots of safety features and equipments that make life easier and more enjoyable when they are on the road. ࿋רϫԤΙωਡၽٙϴѧਢȂרϐငᇯᜋΟSprinterȂѺ࿋ਢϐԤ14এ ৴՝ȂרџоᇳȂѺ٥ਢфശԁޟਡၽٙȇծΠфޟSprinterюՓȊ ॶӑȂѺϐ၌ؚΟՌଢ଼ݰޟ୰ᚠȂѺӔϚሯौᎽᎻޱՌଢ଼ݰІӱުݰ Neutral ϗᜰΰЕᔝȂ֏ࠌȂήΙԩଔଢ଼ਢȂѺ߯Ϛଔଢ଼Ȅרϫณଔӣٱ मႫ୰רԃդଔଢ଼٥ᙟ14৴՝ ޟSprinterȄרঈกၐޟϛᎈຽဴޟȂѺ ޟᡝᑖ౪ਢ៖ٙޟЏጆȄ ӵٙϱȂѺׇӒྱڗᎽᎻޟޱሯौȂԃܹညีಉȃଚೲᐃȃ๋Ѕڏт МޟڎӴПȂࣼխΙᎄσٙȂڏᄂһΪϷሆᚬȄ ᇄڏтޟРҏถυШၶȂҁݽSprinterЅڏтޟዉࢸถυ௴Ңјٙᓞޟ೩ॎ ȂཎࡦЕᔝܹӵٙᓞȂՄߨܹညֲܻ՝ήȄרᇯ࣏ᆍԊ௶Шၶಒӫਢή ޟᙛཾԊӒٽݲȄӰ࣏ȂШၶԊӒءޟོܻٙཎѴีҡਢ߳៖ᎽᎻޱ
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ЅॸࡊȇѺѓࢂΟԊӒೡЅႱષԒԊӒளȄձһџоࢥၚ www.howsafeisyourcar.com.au Մு໌ڗΙ؏ޟၥਟȄ ၎ٙΰΙএѲءच਼ݶᎈቨᔆЕᔝȂџҡ80kWޟଢ଼ΨȂՄׯΨࠌҥ 1,600Ս2,500 rpm ਢྛྛϚ๘ӴټᔖȂѺಒӫዉ࿗ѲೣਿȂྥٮരΟϤ ೣਿȄڏᄂȂѺһᇄσಀޟCrafterխȂծএΡՄِȂרөҁݽȂџӑ Σ࣏кȂЅԤᎽᎻߑဴޟጫȄ౪ਢȂѺџΰϤࠉഀޟՌଢ଼ݰȇኵԑࠉ ȂଚೲٙΰՌଢ଼ݰЍԤࠢޟᆍȂࣺШ6ࠉഀЙ௶ᆎЖԃཎȄٙߞޟ ᜢΰΰήϷນԒޟලЅኄُԒٮԤёዥޟ೩രȂӰԪȂᎽᎻਢџඡණΙ ϸᎽٙᕗცȄ ࿋רӔಠЖཎ၎ٙਢȂีר౪ѺޟᐇᖃІᔖП७σԤ໌Ȃྥޟ೩രѓࢂ ഀ࡙ཐᔖॳݶᬠȂӰԪȂӱఋј৷ѫ13.6ϴЏȂՄ၎ٙϛ้ޟᎈຽȂӰԪ ȂѫШ౪ਢࢺܚޟРҏถυೲٙ฿ߝЅ฿ᗯՄϐȄ ծѺࠓϠձёॻޟԊӒ߳ራȂԃႫυᎌᔖᛧۡ೩രȂѓࢂΟABSȂEBDȂ ROMȂRMIȂUSCЅѲᆅԒࠆٙفಛȇӰԪȂۡϤޟ၆രȄᎈप 235/65R16 ޟኈถυȂࣺுઉണޟསȄᎈһџоΰӫߜޟԒ ȄಀӻࢇۺഋߞһᒵҢҁݽȂԃᐬࢸЅᆰࣸޟ៖้ٙȄ ౪ਢȂϐԤ࡞ӻଝӄޟዉࢸΡ᠍ᎽᎻင၆ޟҁݽ311 CDiࢸߨڗ෮Ȃ࿋ ณȂዉࢸޟ෮ٙϴѧһߞڏԃѿȄѺޟϱഋৠᑖԤ10.5ϴҁПԽȂٮԤᡙ Ρޟৠೲ໔Ȃџоᡱᜤٙޢೲސᆩ၆ڗڣٙϱȄծרᇯ࣏Ȃԃѡџ оёΰྤߞȂ ٥ኺ߯ԃߏᖎȄ ՄቋᓀП७Ȃѫҥ$41,190ଔȄԃԤΡՃኌີΙᎄՍߝଲޟϛೲٙȂ ོר௰ᙨϠӈդΡȂӰ࣏ȂѺѿ७ΰശԊӒဴޟȄ
CAB AUDIT
Audited 15,879
Distribute in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide
as at Mar 31,2009
23-10-09 No. 139 Editor: Geoff Fickling, Edmund Chow Design: Driveway Design Group
ٙൢ!
Drive-way
Tel: 03) 9888 7199 Fax: 03) 9888 7299 Suite 7, Level 1, 2-8 Burwood Hwy, Burwood East, VIC 3151 Info@sameway.com.au
Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI
A noble adventurer Test Drive Report Sales and Orders Triple for Newly Positioned BMW 323i
F1 News ᆰ੫ᅭРҏࡌд
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23-10-09 No. 139
Mercedes Benz ML 320 CDI – A noble adventurer A good friend of mine has driven a ML class for some years, the desire to test drive one remains the top priority of my professional motor journaling career. Some would say that the first generation ML class was a big and chuppy wagon. That was exactly right. Despite this, it has its unique classical and stylish style. It was originally designed as a multipurpose wagon that gave a more upright sitting position. A little bit like the Ford Territory, it uses a number of ready made mechanical components. The ML class is totally different from the rest of the Mercedes family. I may dare to say, it is perhaps one of the most popular members of the oldest motor company in the world. The second generation ML class is more refined in giving a much slimmer aerodynamic style. It seems that it has shredded a large amount of weight. Yet, it is more dynamic and directional. The designer purposefully enhanced its unique noble outdoor adventurer character. Revised aerodynamics makes a huge difference in reducing wind noise and improves fuel consumption. Average diesel fuel consumption is just around 9.6litre per 100km. The common rail 6 cylinder turbo diesel engine produces 165kW of power and a maximum torque of 510 Nm. Top speed is set at 215km/h. The ML class, I would say is one of the most luxurious members of the SUV four wheel drive available in the Australian market. The interior is well appointed by wood grain lining deco and expensive leather and other trimming materials. Even the bottle or cup holder has its warm yellowish light
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Edmund Chow Translate: Driveway Team
illuminated. One of my co-worker found it difficult to pin point the location of the gear shift. It is a retro styling lever on the right hand side of the steering column. “Direct Select” Paddle shift is also available behind the steering column, hence, the gear lever is just a minor accessory for Drive, Park or Reverse. Yet, the 7G-Tronic 7 speed auto detects the best ratio for nearly every road condition. It is smooth as silk for a relax drive but also it can be dynamic for a sporty driving experience. The turbo-diesel engine works extremely well with the 7 speed auto that some people found it hard to believe it was actually a diesel engine. That is without the sluggish engine response and annoying engine clatter. The interface of the multi-lingual instrumental panel can be switched to Chinese or other world languages. Personally, I prefer a touch screen mode of the satellite navigation system rather than the circular four directional switch. But the screen can also be dubbed as a reversing monitor when selected in reverse gear for parking. The stylish interior is much better than other competitors. I mean this is normal to its standard. It is hard to find some company to go past Mercedes. The ML can take on the air suspension and off road pro engineering option pack. The air suspension gives a better ride feeling to all its occupants. Indeed, its original rigid uni-body chassis structure with fully independent double wishbone front and multilink rear suspension, gives superb riding quality to its occupants. The only exception was when it was travelling on
23-10-09 No. 139
highway and came across expansion joints. Even those annoying noise was subdued by good insulation and noise dampening materials. The 4-matic permanent all-wheel-drive gives assurance to its driver that the system handles both on and off bitumen travelling with flying colours. As for the outdoor adventurer, the off road pro engineering will require an extra A$10,000 to its very reasonable selling price The powerful V6 turbo diesel vehicle gives another peace of mind through its passive safety equipments, such as ABS, brake assist with 4 channel brake assist and traction control with ESP electron stability program, dual stage airbags with front, rear side airbags and curtain airbags as well. In concluding, the ML 320 CDI is perhaps the best SUV in the world. With low fuel consumption yet it is powerful, swift but stable, affordable but luxury. When we look at all the traits of the car, we can only say it is a Mercedes. Whenever you look at it, its shining three point star will only shine better in the current luxury SUV market. ޟרΙএԁ݉ЄΙޢᎽᎻMLفӖیޟႻءٙԤԁඁԑΟȂӵޟרᙛཾءٙ ޱҡిϛȂרΙהޢఖџоᒑՌၐᎽኺޟٙȄ ԤΙٲΡܖ೨ོᇳΙфMLفӖیႻ൷Ιᎄάσάؠ፸ޟਡٙȂ๘ ᄇғጂޟຟቋȄϚႆԃ௶ݎଶΙᘈϚፙȂѺ๘ᄇڎരՌϏᐿ੫ޟ༈ಛ߫ڷ ᝋॳޟਿȄΙфٙശߑೝ೩ॎ࣏ӻҢഊਡٙȂԤᘈխܻᆋ੫ޟTerritory
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ȂٺҢΟϚЍ౪ԙޟᐠడႭഋӇȄMLفӖׇӒϚӣܻیႻড়ఊڏޟтٙȂ רමኺᇳȂѺζ೨жࣨΰᐣѬശ࣏ோδءޟٙϴѧϛശءޟߔ᠍ڧٙفӖ ϞΙȄ ΠфMLفӖیႻٙӵഅΰԤΟ࡞σޟᡐϽȂᔖҢΟުଢ଼ΨᏰޟন౩Ȃ ࣏ᆠጝȂጣనζࢺ࣏ᄱȂٮиڎଢ଼ΨཐࡾڷөܒȄ၎೩ॎԟӵ፡Ѻᐿ ΙฒΠޟଽິᇄИѴࠃᓎঙޟڎ੫፴ȄᔖҢΟငႆওғުޟଢ଼ΨᏰন౩Ȃӵ ६ճॳᖐᏡॱڷඪଽٺݶءҢΰԤΟ݂ᡗޟȂҁ֯ؐᎻ100ϴ٨ޟૉ ݶ໔༉࣏9.6ϴЀȄശ࣏லَޟ6चᎈቨᔆݶ෴Еᔝџҡԙޟശଽᙽഀ࣏ 165kWڷശσׯΨ࣏510 NmȂശଽਢഀႀ215ϴ٨ / ωਢȄ רџоኺᇳȂӵҬࠉޟᐬࢸءٙѿൟΰȂMLفӖശᇺޟSUVѲٙϞ ΙȄѺޟϱഋ၆ⰖׇȂ௴ҢΟᄂУ౩ڃȃቋਿ݁ິޟҪ८ڏڷт၆Ⴚސ Ȃ൷Ыݔ৴Ԥྣླྀޟష༁Փྱ݂ӎȄޟרΙএӣีٱ౪࡞ᜲ௶ڗײᔬޟ՝ ညȂѺޟ՝ညڏᄂӵПөዺޟѡЙȄ௶ᔬࣺ࿋ᙏȂѫᎽᎻȃުᔬȃୄ ٙڷইٙȄਲ਼ᐃၯ७ڷᄂሬᎽᎻޟݷȂ7G-Tronic Μ௶ᔬџоՌଢ଼ڗײശӫ ᎌޟШȄ הఖԤܹᚬᎽᎻᡝᡛޟΡོี౪ѺᎻଔپҁᛧࢺᄱԤԃ๛ᆬޟཐឈȇՄఖ ԤᎽᎻၼଢ଼ᗉٙޟཐޟڧΡོี౪ѺᎻଔپଢ଼ΨࠐҥܻᘸૡٞౡȄԤ ٺٲҢีޱ౪࿋ᎈቨᔆݶ෴Еᔝᇄ7ഀՌଢ଼ᔬࣺ๖ӫϞࡣၼுࣺ࿋ԁȂо Սܻձඁнᜲоࣺ߬ᄂሬΰ਼ݶЕᔝ——ࢋؠԤᄚ֍֍ޟЕᔝంଢ଼Іᔖζ ؠԤଆვޟЕᔝ୨Ꮭ⎧ᖐȄ
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CAB AUDIT
Audited 15,879
Distribute in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide
as at Mar 31,2009
11-12-09 No. 146 Editor: Geoff Fickling, Edmund Chow Design: Driveway Design Group
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Mercedes Benz
E350
Drive-way
27
11-12-09 No. 146
Mercedes Benz E350
Drive-way ٙൢ Geoff Fickling, Edmund Chow Translate: Driveway Team
You don’t simply get in and drive this car, which is a little frustrating. For example, it did not have the gear shift in the centre console. You select D, R, N and P via a stalk on the right of the steering column. I am sure you would get used to it quickly but I did wonder what the point of it was. It has the choice of manual paddle shifting also.
The seats are great, firm but exceptionally comfortable with an electrically operated feature that allows personal tailoring to your body. This is disconcerting at first, as it squeezes into your sides but once you find the right position it is very good. Rear seat space is also excellent as it should be in a car this size.
Things in a car should fall to hand easily, so when you have to read several different information booklets, owner manuals and a DVD to be able to simply drive around the block, maybe they’ve gone too far. Just trying to insert a CD proved to be complicated so I gave up and wrestled with the radio/sat nav system for a while, and eventually found a station by accident.
Handling wise, it is as solid as a rock, which you would expect. It is designed for rapid touring, and seems to swallow up corners and bends. And you simply cannot shake it loose no matter how you try. Normally, you would feel a trait like understeer in a large car like this, but there was nothing. It has the now obligatory stability control systems of course to look after driver mistakes but usually you at least feel some slippage first. Not with this car.
Anyway, when you eventually get going, the Merc feels like a Merc should, very solid and safe. This car is big, and feels it. There is a lot of metal around you and you are aware of it all the time, it’s quite imposing. Although it is heavy, the engine does a commendable job and there’s an abundance of power and torque. At first, it feels underpowered but this is because it is so smooth and quiet - you don’t notice you’re going fast until you check the speedo!
Previous models I have driven have had that typically Mercedes accelerator pedal – where you have to push down hard on a very long travel pedal to get the engine to respond. This was not the case with the E350, the response was immediate, so this is a vast improvement. Geoff Fickling
The steering is very direct, almost racecar like. It’s very good, it just takes some getting used to. On a winding road, it pays to concentrate, because it will go exactly where you point it. Massive brakes pull the car up extremely well, and you can feel the brake assist system kicking in if you brake hard, which is reassuring.
28 Drive-way
Just like what Geoff has said. I found the gear shift a little bit interesting. Our photographer does not like the idea as well. However, I found it very handy if you get use to it. It is similar to the ML series. On the other hand, I accidentally
Drive-way ٙൢ
11-12-09 No. 146
got it into neutral gear the other day, when, I just wanted to indicate for a left hand exit turn. I am sure people will get use to it very quickly. I am amazed by the finishing and interior design of the E350. It is worth whatever you pay. It is classy and elegance. I like the air suspension. It gave me a lot of comfort and assurance. In terms of driver’s aid, I like the blind spot assist that glows red to a small triangle shape at the far bottom side of the mirrors when it comes to some approaching cars. Nine airbags including a knee airbag are available just in case. In addition to that it has all the usual brake and stability programs, plus the pre-safe crash system to get any one out of trouble. I feel the E350 is very special to enjoy. It is quite different to the Jaguar XK and obviously different to the BMW 5 series. It’s the elegance and unique style that the Mercedes-Benz heritage inherits to this new model. Although the V6 engine is pretty much the same, it is near perfect for 99% of people. Enjoy!
Edmund Chow ᎽᎻیႻE350，ձฒݲᎽᎻڏтٙ٥ኺȂֲ໌ў൷٥ૡᙏሆᚬȂΙ ᘈ฿฿хΡԤݸٲൊȄٽԃȂѺ௶ޟᔬٮϚӵϛѵڙѮޟ՝ညȂՄӵПө ዺޟѡЙԤΙএኦ؋ȂџоᒵᐅDȃRȃNڷPȄϚႆࣺ߬רձ࡞פ൷ಬᄛٮ ΰЙȂѫרϚ࡞౩၌Ѻኺ೩ॎޟ౩ҥȄձџоᒵᐅӣਢڎരኦаԒ௶ᔬȄ
ءٙٺޟҢᔖ࿋ᙏዓ݂ᕣȂৠܾΰЙȂԃݎձሯौᎧኵএϚӣޟၥਟыȃཾ кЙыٮDVDϞࡣϗϚႆஊ໌࣏ྃᙏ፝ԃড়ߣߖޟᎽᎻȂ٥ߒҰ೩ ॎڷᇳ݂џፒᚕႆᓞΟȄרϚႆདܹΙCD᠙᠙ȂࠓӰ࣏ЊႆፒᚕՄܹణ ȂᇄႫѮڷᏲفಛޭ๖ΟјЈȂϗശತӵฒཎϛڗײΟΙএѮȄ Ϛႆฒ፣ԃդȂ࿋ձശತಬᄛٮΰѺࡣپȂձ൷ོཐیڗႻۻڗϚཛྷیႻ ȂߨலϞᄂڷԊӒȄٙ࡞σȂཐឈࣺ࿋ԁȄฒਢฒړϚཐឈڗ٥ᆍೝߜ឴ ߳ፏޟ፴ཐȂхΡӟຫړȄᗶᇳٙՌ٘࡞१ȂϚႆЕᔝߒޟ౪ுᢚ፬Ȃඪ ټшٗޟଢ଼ΨׯڷΨȄଔߑȂձོឈுଢ଼ΨϚٗȂڏᄂϚႆӰ࣏ѺԃԪ ޟҁᛧڷԊᓗȂଶߨձᄆࣼٙഀȂ֏ࠌձ๘ฒݧݲཎڗѺԤӻפ௦Ȋ ПөዺޟПөܒΙࢺޟȂඁнӣᗉٙΙኺȄ࿋ณ࡞ԁȂϚႆሯौΙٲਢ پᎌᔖȄӵԢޟၾၯΰᎻਢȂѺࣺ࿋ுᜰݧȂӰ࣏ձࡾѺ൷ོЅྥڏ ጂӴᎻөࡾۡޟПөȄ၎ٙࠆޟٙܒ๘ᄇԁȂԃݎձౡࠆٙޟၗȂձџоཐ ࠆڗٙሄօفಛΪϷԤਝӴٺٙୄ՞ȂхΡݠኑȄ ٙϱޟ৴՝ࣺ࿋ԁȂᄂࠓϚмᎌϞཐȂٮиڎരႫଢ଼ђџоਲ਼ᐃϚӣޟ ΡᡝԢጣ፡এΡᎌ࡙ȄΙۖٺҢޟਢঐџԤٲᔍڷϚಬᄛȂོឈ ு৴ාᔠᔆձ٘ޟᡝȂϚႆΙҍڗײΟғጂޟ՝ည൷ོࣺ࿋ϚᒿȄࡣ৴ުޟ ζڗԁȄ ԃݎᎽᎻு݂සޟၗȂѺ൷ོԃӣձޟܚ٥ኺᛧԃጇүȄѺ੫࣏ࡨഀਡ Մ೩ॎȂฒ፣ُܬᗙ᠉ၾȂሆՄΙᖞӴᎻႆȄՄиฒ፣ձԃդკၐȂ ձฒݲᐂଢ଼ѺȄலȂձོឈுኺޟσءٙ܁܁ԤᙽөϚٗޟ੫ᘈȂ
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03 9899 1388 Drive-way
29
Drive-way ٙൢ
11-12-09 No. 146
ծܻیႻE350ՄِȂΙݷϚԆӵȄԃϬ၎فӖٙ҆രᛧۡفڙಛȂо ޭғᎽᎻܚޱқޟႆᒿȂϚႆڏтءٙலོԤ۽ޟᒶྤڷଢ଼לӵیႻ E350٘ΰׇӒϚོю౪Ȅ רϞࠉෆᎽᎻႆیޟႻᙟԤဴȂԤیޟڐႻߞݶ——ݖձ҆ԫࠐ ϗஊంଢ଼ЕᔝȄϚႆE350݂ᡗϚӣȂڏІᔖٞഀȂџᒝѼσ؏໌ޟȄ Geoff Fickling ғԃGeoffϞࠉܚᇳޟ٥ኺȂרζឈுیႻE350௶ޟᔬ՝ညШၶԤཎࡦȄីኇ ৱٮϚ᠍ኺޟ೩ॎȂծࠓרᇯ࣏ԃӣMLفӖΙኺȂΙҍಬᄛΟޟၗ൷ོ ឈு࡞ԁٺȄϚႆၗᇳӱپȂԤΙЈרӵюοདौѾᙽȂሯौ҈ᐷᡗҰȂࠓ ཎѴӴȞಬᄛܒӴȟኦڗΟN௶ᔬȄԁӵרጂ߬Ρঈོ࡞פಬᄛѺޟȄ
Οࣺר࿋ԁޟᎌཐڷԊӒ߳ራȄӵᎽᎻሄօ೩രП७Ȃר᠍ޡᘈڞօفಛ Ȃ࿋ڏтءٙᖝߖਢȂ൷ོӵᜢυѴޟۻ՝ည߫ଔऔՓޟωέُלȄ9এԊ Ӓ᠄ȞѓࢂΙএጱഋ᠄ȟџо٩ΙޟሯؑȄԪѴѺڎരܚԤலَޟ㧣ٙ ȃႫυᛧۡԊӒفಛٮѴёႱኡԊӒفಛȂџоӵᎌ࿋ޟਢঐᔓօᎽᎻޱᘛ ಳџᎏႄޟཎѴȄ רᇯ࣏ᎽᎻE350Ιᆍᐿ੫ޟᡝᡛڧٴڷȄѺᇄJaguar XKࣺШԤܚϚӣȂᇄ X5فӖࠌ݂ᡗϚӣȄѺӒཱིޟȂଽິޟȂᐿΙฒΠޟȂިࡻΟیႻޟ ༈ಛȂᗶᇳV6ЕᔝؠԤϧቄЊσޟଢ଼ȂϚႆᄇܻ99%ޟΡတپᇳȂᡗณ ߨலᅖཎڷӫᎌޟȄ Edmund Chow
Ӵ֭ȈUnit 3, 50 Rooks Rd, Nunawading 3131 ႫၗȈ03 9873 3668 / 0402 799 038
ᄇܻE350ޟᐌᡝѴל೩ॎڷٙϱ೩ॎȂרཐࣺڗ࿋ӴᎪᡙȂᓺڷଽິޟȶ ٘࠼ȷȂ๘ᄇސԤܚȄѺΪϷϛཎѺުޟ௮၆ညȂӵၐᎽޟႆแϛ
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