The E-Class isn¹t the largest car under the big Mercedes-Benz tent, but its
impact on company sales and its valued status with business leaders and
professionals is huge. It has been Mercedes¹ bestseller for ages and is one
of the top luxury models worldwide and in the U.S. as well.  Consequently,
an all-new E-Class is a major event, even for the staid German manufacturer.

For 2003, Mercedes delivers a completely revised V-6 E320 and V-8 E500 
with updated styling. The new E-Class is loaded with the latest technology
including electronic braking and air suspension that allows a softer ride,
yet clamps down to enhance control during aggressive driving maneuvers.

Here are a few reasons why the new E320 will probably satisfy most buyers in
this segment, if they can support its price.

Styling: Following styling cues used throughout the Mercedes-Benz lineup,
the E-Class deploys a pronounced wedge shape with dominant oval
headlights. The resulting design registers an outstanding 0.26 coefficient of
aerodynamic drag. Visually the new sedan is even more compelling. Give
Mercedes¹ stylists an A grade for a fresh, modern design that still manages
to retain its important visual heritage. In the luxury market, a combination
of historical reference updated in contemporary terms seems to be the ticket
to the winner¹s circle and the big-time European manufacturers do this very
well.

The interior is not as successful. While I like the overall design
treatment, the center control console is still confusing. I have been
complaining for years about the ergonomic constrictions placed on the driver
in successive generations of Mercedes automobiles. But instead of making the
controls more intuitive, it appears to me that the company is moving in the
opposite directions, particularly with the audio system with its unmarked
buttons that seem to defy any logic in operation.

Engine and transmission: The V-6 engine in the E320 is impressive. It
accelerates smoothly. Mercedes claims that the car will blast from zero to
60 miles per hour in just seven seconds. Few drivers will want or need more
power. 

The Mercedes E320 is equipped with a precise-shifting five-speed automatic
transmission that is the best in the business and easily adapts to a manual
mode of operation. When the transmission is in the Drive position a quick
tap on the gearshift to the left initiates a downshift and a tap to the
right an upshift. It¹s a simple motion and it works flawlessly. The
transmission also adapts to driving style. If a driver is in a relaxed mood,
the unit shifts at lower engine RPMs to deliver smooth operation and good
gas mileage. But in the hands of a hot-rodder, the transmission adapts to an
aggressive style by delaying upshifts to develop maximum engine power.

Value: With a sticker price that approaches $53,000 the E320 is expensive
and more costly than most of its competitors. On the other hand, our test
car had a number of questionable options that drove up the price. These
include a $1,600 Motorola phone, the $1,500 sunroof, four-zone climate
control (for rear seat passengers) $46, 950 and an $875 cold weather package
that included heated steering wheel and heated fronts seats. In this era of
diminished economic expectations, it¹s nice to know that the E320 is very
well equipped at its base price of $46,95O.

Safety: The E320 delivers both front- and side-impact airbags as well as the
safety side-curtain airbag technology. Six-foot-long curtains deploy from
the car's ceiling to span the sides of the passenger space providing head
protection in the event of a blow to the vehicle's side.

I was not overly impressed with the new electronic braking system, however.
Converting this essential analogue system to digital output is a very bold
undertaking. Brakes in contemporary luxury cars work very well. There are
certainly some theoretical advantages to the new system, but in operation I
found them wanting. Real life conditions require that the brakes modulate
responsively to driver input and I discovered that the electronic system
often did not follow my input as smoothly as I had anticipated.

Ride and handling: In this important area, the new E320 even eclipses its
impressive predecessor. It delivers a firm but compliant ride. The most
improvement is in steering sensitivity and feedback. The new model delivers
sufficient feedback to the driver to warrant aggressive driving on twisting
mountain roads. The E320 provides a sense of control and responsiveness, as
well as comfort that appears to justify its high price.
 

 
Vehicle: Mercedes-Benz E320

Price as tested: $52,790

Engine:

         Type: 3.2 liter V-6

         Horsepower: 221 @ 5,700 rpm

         Torque: 232 ft. lbs. @ 3,000 rpm

Fuel economy, automatic transmission

         City - 19 mpg

         Highway - 27 mpg

Curb Weight: 3,635 lbs.