In the E350 CDI, Mercedes-Benz has what may well be called the very epitome of a chauffeur driven mid-size premium luxury car. That V6 turbo diesel is looked upon by rivals with envy for both its punch and refinement. We drove the E250 CDI last year and came away impressed. But it was a recent stint with the more powerful E350 CDI which demonstrated what the heart and soul of a true E-Class saloon is comprised of.
Images: Chirag Mondal
More powerful, eh? How much more powerful?
If you look at the numbers, you wouldn’t probably be too impressed. The seat of the pants experience, though, tells a totally different story from what those specs suggest. We will, however, for academic purposes alone, let you know all the specific details. Here goes.
The E350 CDI is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 (a vee, unlike the 250s inline four) that’s good for 265 bhp of power at a low 3800 RPM and more importantly, 620 Nm of enormous torque that makes this luxury sedan pull strongly irrespective of the gear or speed you are in. The rush of torque is observable across the rev range, and makes for a much more inspiring experience for the driver as compared to the basic E250 CDI.
The 350 has about 60 more horses, and more importantly, 120 more Nm of torque. In-gear acceleration in the V6 powered car is much, much stronger, lending it a 0-100 acceleration figure of an impressive 6.5 seconds, and a top speed which would breach the 250 km/h mark with ease if de-restricted.
How do I tell between the two diesel variants?
You just have to look at the wheels. The more powerful, more expensive E350 comes with statelier spoke-alloys, unlike the sporty legs of the 250. You can also look at the badges at the back, but if you miss it, you’d hardly have a chance. Such inconspicuous differentiation may sound unfair to some for a car that costs more than Rs 10 lakh extra, but that’s what the guys sitting in the backseat of the E-Class are known for – possessing great power without the need of showing it.
Do I get something more than that bigger engine for those extra 10 lakh rupees?
Sure you do, though it wouldn’t strike the eyes of the occupants in the first glance. To start with, the central screen with COMAND Online system comes with a bigger 7” screen as compared to the smaller display on the 250. The screen also replays information from an army of cameras to create a 360 degree view of the car’s surroundings. This really helps with a big car, especially in a country like ours.
The infotainment system on the E350 comes with USB and SD card playability along with sat-nav and Harman Kardon Logic 7 speaker system as standard equipment.
That wasn’t not all that long a list for the extra money; you might want to delve deeper into that engine’s performance
With pleasure! To start with, that three liter V6 has to be one of the most refined diesel engines we have ever come across. That engine serves the mighty S-Class, and it shows when a powerplant is meant propel what’s often termed as the best car in the world. It’s silent in a way that could make an ordinary gasoline engine commit suicide in shame. At idling speeds, the cabin in quiet as a graveyard, and it’s hard to say if the motor is running.
On the move, the performance from the V6 engine is supremely self-assured in the most understated manner possible – it’s an engine most fitting for a genuine Mercedes luxury limo. The torque gushes through like a massive, unending wave. The car pulls authoritatively from low revs, and will keep building revs all the way without the need to downshift at all. There’s a sense of authority and assertiveness about the way this engine behaves. It’s a properly exciting engine to drive, but without any theatrics. The linearity, smoothness and sophistication should be experienced to be believed. It wouldn’t snap your head back as you bury the right pedal, but at the same time, would take you to speeds higher than you assume in a beguilingly quick time.
The 7G Tronic seven speeder auto box does duty here like most other Mercedes cars. It’s another exponent of Mercedes’ refinement and suits the graceful character of the car really well, though we badly expect a quicker shifting tranny from Mercedes now – especially for cars like these which are genuine performers and deserve a bit more sportiness than what the 7G could offer.
The E350 CDI would reach its electronically limited speed of 250 km/h with authority – and for some that’s the most dependable way to tell a premium car from the other ones.
Do the car’s road manners match the engine’s etiquette?
Rock solid stability in a straight line, a bit of squish around bends, but without a trace of nervousness, balanced steering that lacks feel but not accuracy and a ride quality that’s a segment benchmark – the E350 does its job splendidly well for a chauffeured car. This is a car which is known to delight the back benchers more than the drivers – the focus is very clear. The suspension has been honed over years, and it shows in the most obvious ways possible. The absorption quality of the suspension is unfazed across the speed range and over a variety of surfaces. NVH levels inside the cabin are also extremely laudable.
The E350 CDI is a fast car which does everything right when you have a man dressed in white robes to ferry you around. If, however, you’re looking for a toy to hoon around the hills, we’d suggest you look for something else.
Next page for images with details>>>