Mercedes: It's A Delight To Drive
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday October 21, 2000
IT costs three times as much as an Aussie six but there's no comparison.
The four-cylinder Mercedes E200 Kompressor is glorious to drive, combining strong performance with faultless road manners and great character.
If you could have any sedan you wished priced under $90,000, it would be very hard to go past this new addition to the Mercedes line-up.
It takes only one short test drive to understand why this mid-to-large Germany luxury car has been extraordinarily successful.
The E200K is the least expensive of the nine-model E-class range yet it's fully equipped and sells for $79,500, with Classic trim, compared to $127,700 for the top-of-the-range E320 wagon.
The test car carried the upmarket Elegance package plus optional metallic paint and rain sensor windscreen wipers, bringing the retail tag to $89,200, plus on-road costs.
The price confirms the adage that buyers get what they pay for. In this case, $90,000 buys a truly great car.
Mercedes has opted for a four-cylinder, supercharged engine rather than additional cylinders without a ``blower", but the E200K unit delivers 120kW and massive low-speed torque.
The power comes in smoothly and progressively, with none of the raw urgency associated with some turbocharged engines.
The big sedan comes with two body styles, a four-door sedan and five-door wagon. It is offered with three equipment levels, designated Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde.
All E-class models have airbags all around, including front and rear side airbags and window airbags, the latter giving additional body and head protection during a side impact.
They also have exceptional active safety features with a near miraculous ability to handle sharp and slippery swerves, if evasive action becomes necessary.
Combined with ABS braking and electronic stability control, the airbag system makes the E-class the pacesetter in safety.
It has rear-wheel drive plus a tight turning circle, easy passenger access, large fuel tank and a big boot.
The E-class offers seven engines comprising the supercharged four, a five-cylinder diesel, three V6s and two V8s. The power outputs start at 120kW and peak at 260kW.
All models have a five-speed automatic transmission with a quick and easy means of manually shifting when preferred. The driver simply nudges the lever to the left to downshift, to the right to upshift.
The 200K Elegance driven for this review had electronic traction aid, remote central door-locking, CD stacker, outside temperature gauge, trip computer, adjustable steering column, cruise control, ABS brakes, eight-speaker audio system, airconditioning and four power windows.
Also standard is a multi-function steering wheel incorporating buttons for the radio controls and optional phone.
Though relatively small for quite a heavy sedan, the engine provides lively acceleration, taking only 10.2 seconds to go from rest to 100km/h.
It keeps up with the busiest traffic yet the gearing is sufficiently tall to ensure relaxed highway travel.
The four-valves-per-cylinder engine uses around 9.1litres of fuel per 100km (31mpg) at highway speeds.
The E-class is also quieter than before, especially when cruising.
The beautifully balanced car is capable of cornering far more quickly than the conservative Mercedes image suggests, and few owners will fully extend its capabilities.
The braking system is remarkable, with the ABS making sure there are no slides during vigorous stopping.
It is a revelation on the open road, being capable of making exceptionally good time without showing any signs of stress.
An extensive drive on various road surfaces showed that the suspension system remains a class leader.
AT A GLANCE
Model: Mercedes E200K Elegance sedan.
Price: From $79,500; as tested $89,213 plus on-road costs.
Power: 120kW at 5900rpm.
Acceleration: 0-100km/h in 10.2 seconds.
Engine: 4 cylinders, DOHC, 16 valves, 2.0 litres, comp' ratio 9.5:1, bore/stroke 89.9mm by 78.7mm, supercharged.
Transmission: Rear-wheel drive, 5-speed auto, 3.46 axle ratio.
Suspension: Four-wheel independent with coil springs.
Dimensions: Length 4818mm; width 1799mm; height 1440mm; wheelbase 2833 mm; ground clearance 139mm.
Turning circle: 11.3m
Tow capacity: 1900kg.
Kerb weight: 1540kg.
Fuel consumption: Average on test 10.5 litres per 100km (27mpg). Average on tour 9.1 litres per 100km (31mpg). Average in town 14.8l/100km (19mpg). Fuel capacity 65 litres.
Equipment: Locking fuel flap, four door bins, console bin, glovebox, six-stack CD, eight-speaker stereo, multi-speed airconditioning, rear window demist, map pockets, outside temperature gauge, MB-Tex upholstery, five-speed sequential auto transmission, three grab handles, halogen headlights, adjustable steering column, remote central door-locking, mud flaps, ABS four-wheel disc brakes, power windows, driver foot rest, eight airbags, cruise control, electronic stability program, power height-adjusted front seats, alloy road wheels.
Parking: Tight turning circle, power steering fitted. Rear corners can barely be seen from the driver's seat. Painted bumpers and side body mouldings.
© 2000 Illawarra Mercury
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