|
2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Review
Swift, safe, smooth and practical.
2008 E-Class Review Summary & Specifications
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class offers a wide range of choices, but all have the attributes that have made them a benchmark among luxury cars. Every model delivers a combination of safety, luxury, practicality, performance, status, and cost of operation that's difficult to match. The redesigned E-Class introduced for model year 2007 improved on this car. This remains an iconic car in a market segment crowded with good cars.NewCarTestDrive.com editor Mitch McCullough reported from Los Angeles, with J.P. Vettraino and Jim McCraw in Detroit, and Greg Brown in Las Vegas.
|
|
| Vehicle Category | Luxury Cars |
| Editor | New Car Test Drive |
| Model Lineup | Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec ($52,200); E350 ($51,200); E350 4Matic ($52,700); E350 4Matic wagon ($55,950); E550 ($59,700); E550 4Matic ($61,200); E63 AMG ($85,300); E63 AMG wagon ($86,050) |
| Engines (standard) | 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (standard) | 7-speed automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 210-hp 3.0-liter dohc 24-valve turbodiesel V6; 268-hp 3.5-liter dohc 24-valve V6; 382-hp 5.5-liter dohc 48-valve V8; 507-hp 6.2-liter dohc 48-valve V8 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed automatic; 7-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | dual-stage front airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, front and rear curtain-style head-protection airbags, active head restraints, seatbelt pretensioners; Pre-Safe System, rollover sensor, antilock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP), traction control, tire pressure monitor |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Sindelfingen, Germany |
| Manufacturer Phone | 800-367-6372 |
| Manufacturer URL | www.mbusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 51200 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Mercedes-Benz E550 sedan ($59,700) |
| Standard Equipment | automatic four-zone climate control, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel with multifunction controls, power windows with express up and down, auto-dimming mirrors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, glass sunroof, 10-way power driver and passenger seats with leather inserts and three-position memory, cruise control, walnut trim, nine-speaker surround-sound stereo with six-disc CD changer, Tele-aid emergency communication system |
| Destination Charge | 775 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | Sport Package (N/C); Premium II ($4,770) includes Hands-Free Communication System, DVD COMAND Navigation, Sirius Satellite Radio, power rear window shade, Headlight Washing System, Bi-Xenon Active Light System, cornering fog lights, Keyless Go, Active-Ventilated front seats; Parktronic ($1,120); wood/leather steering wheel ($550); electronic trunk closer ($530) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 67445 |
| Layout | rear-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 382 @ 6000 |
| Torque | 391 @ 2800-4800 |
| Fuel Economy | 15/22 |
| Wheelbase | 112.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 191.0/71.7/58.4 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 37.4 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 39.1/57.2/41.9 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 37.8/57.2/35.6 |
| Trunk Volume | 15.9 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, four-link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, five link, air springs, variable-rate gas-charged shock absorbers, anti-roll bar |
| Ground Clearance | 3.6 |
| Curb Weight | 3885 |
| Stock Tires | 245/40R18 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, Brake Assist |
| Fuel Capacity | 21.1 |
|
2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
|