Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI : ALL TORQUE

Expert Rating:

In E250 CDI form, the E-Class from Mercedes looks every inch the modern executive car. Steve Walker reports.

Under normal circumstances, the Mercedes E-Class is as conservative as a chartered accountancy convention or the Victoria sponge contest at a village fete. Chuck in a mid-sized diesel engine and it might as well come with a Bowler hat as standard too. Or should it? Today's E-Class remains a car of undeniable quality and the bluest of blood but in E250 CDI form, your bank manager's wheels might have more going on beneath the surface.

As well as the usual saloon bodystyle, there's a coupe version these days. This 3-door was introduced to replace the long serving CLK but could the fact that it's now aligned by name with the E-Class suggest the slight repositioning of a Mercedes-Benz stalwart, a move in more dynamic directions? Mercedes doesn't have too much room for manoeuvre in this regard as its core customer base values the comfort and quality that the E-Class has come to represent. Alienating these buyers with the kind of sports-focus typified by BMW might amount to commercial suicide. The E250 CDI, then, looks a little like a car on a tightrope. How well does it retain its balance? The Mercedes engine designation structure isn't the easiest thing to get your head around so bear with me. The engine in the E250 CDI is an identical unit in size and configuration to that in the lesser E220 CDI, a 2.2-litre in-line four with twin turbochargers. Sitting above it in the diesel range is the E350 CDI which is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6. Flanked by these two capable alternatives, the E250 CDI needs to be good to avoid being overlooked. Happily, it is. There's a maximum of 204bhp being generated at 4,200rpm but the crucial statistic is the huge 500Nm of torque that arrives at 1,600rpm. The V6 diesel tops this torque output but only by 40Nm and despite making its peak pulling power available across a wider spread of the rev-range, it doesn't feel that much quicker on the road. 0-60mph takes 8.2s with the unrewarding manual gearbox and 7.4s with the five-speed auto that most E-Class customers will choose.

"Mercedes' traditional customer base will recognise the E-Class they know and love"

The comfort-orientated approach that the E-Class has traditionally adopted is still in evidence. Refinement from the E250 CDI's four-pot diesel is good and the standard adaptive shock absorbers conjure up a smooth ride and outstanding composure at high speeds. This E-Class is 30 per cent stiffer than its predecessor and in the models fitted with the sports suspension, it more obviously uses this to its advantage. Lowered by 15mm, the sports springs firm things up noticeably and introduce a more dynamic element but it's not enough to compete with BMW for the hearts of enthusiastic drivers. Mercedes was never the manufacturer most likely to push the stylistic boat out and come up with a brave new design direction. Instead the E-Class is typically reserved, displaying many of the handsome squared-off elements seen on its smaller C-Class cousin. Inside, the S-Class luxury saloon is the inspiration with quality materials and switchgear in evidence. The amount of technology shoehorned into the E-Class really is remarkable and the most eye-opening features are aimed at improving the car's safety credentials. Mercedes likens the systems to an `intelligent partner' who can detect and react to danger, which sounds like an automated back seat driver chiming in every time they think you're going to fast or too close to the car in front. The reality is that the systems are designed to be as unobtrusive as possible until stronger intervention is absolutely necessary. Adaptive High Beam Assist uses a camera on the windscreen to detect approaching vehicles when you're driving at night to modify the headlamps and give an optimum field of vision at all times. Lane Keeping assist vibrates the steering wheel when it senses that the car is drifting out of its lane. Blind Spot Assist warns you when there's a car in your blind spot and Attention Assist measures 70 parameters to detect if you're falling asleep at the wheel. Then there's Brake Assist Plus that automatically applies optimum braking pressure to help you stop in time during emergency braking. The trim level customers choose can have a major effect on the look and feel of their E-Class. SE, Avantgarde and Sport versions are offered and the E250 CDI is available with all three of them. The SE is the entry-level car with 16" alloy wheels, a leather multi-function steering wheel, an eight speaker stereo with Bluetooth compatibility, a large central display screen to marshal the car's various functions and the Advanced Parking Guidance system. The Avantgarde ups the luxury stakes and features the sports suspension set-up as does the self-explanatory Sport. As tends to be the case, the choicest extras are on the options list and there's a vast array to choose from. Prices for this engine pepper the £30,000 mark with the automatic gearbox commanding a £1,500 premium over the 6-speed manual. The E-Class comes with nine airbags as standard and an active bonnet that raises up in the event of a collision to help protect pedestrians. You expect certain things from a vehicle with 500Nm of torque but 53mpg combined cycle economy isn't one of them. Despite its muscular performance, the E250 CDI has efficiency standards to shame some superminis and emissions of 139g/km make it a prime candidate for company car users. The automatic gearbox blunts economy but only to 47mpg, an identical figure to that of the E220 CDI auto. Behind this impressive performance at the pumps lies the Mercedes BlueEfficiency technology which is fitted across the majority of the E-Class range. It comprises a wide range of small modifications that together can deliver a 3mpg economy saving. Weight-saving measures, aerodynamic improvements and low rolling resistance tyres feature among the innovations. Anyone who though that Mercedes was about to abandon its principles with the latest E-Class and stand toe to toe with BMW in a sports saloon slugging match doesn't know Mercedes very well. This E-Class is more of the same in many respects, straight-laced, classy and comfortable but within that framework its dynamic edge has been honed. The E250 CDI turns in sparkling performance with excellent economy and could well be the finest engine in the whole E-Class range. As an engine, it's a match for BMW's finest and as a car, the E-Class is different to its arch rival but certainly compelling. Mercedes' traditional customer base will recognise the E-Class they know and love in the latest car but this famously conservative luxury saloon has renewed vigour these days. On grounds of refinement, safety and comfort, there's nothing to touch it in the sector.

Facts At A Glance
CAR: Mercedes E250 CDI
PRICES: £28,925-£32,925 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 15 [est]
CO2 EMISSIONS: 139g/km
PERFORMANCE: [Manual] 0-60mph 8.3s/ Max Speed 149mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [Manual] (urban) 40.9 mpg / (extra urban) 64.2mpg / (combined) 53.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Nine airbags, ABS, ESP, Brake Assist, PRE-SAFE.
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: [saloon] Length/Width/Height, 4868/1854/1470mm