LOGBOOK LOWDOWN
between is a 122bhp electric motor which, with the 211bhp internal combustion engine, gives a total system power of 316bhp.
ASENSIBLE amount of power that gives the car a limited top speed of 155mph and the ability to sprint from 0-62mph in 5.7sec. More than fast enough.
The 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery that lives under the boot floor (and robs some luggage space) gives the E300e an electric-only range of up to 30 miles.
We managed to get fairly close to achieving that figure by using judicious energy management and a light right foot.
It’s an impressive powertrain but I’m not sure why you’d buy it when Mercedes offers an even more appealing option – certainly if fuel economy is your uppermost consideration – in the E300de.
This uses the same hybrid elements but with a 2.0-litre diesel engine.You get the benefit of EV-running in town and the economy of a diesel on long motorway journeys.
You pay hardly any price in performance as this car will do 0-62mph in 5.9sec. I’d swap 0.2sec of acceleration for fuel economy of between 235.4-217.3mpg versus the petrol car’s (still impressive) 166.2-176.4mpg.
Now to the new E-Class’s
Model: Mercedes-Benz E300e saloon
On sale: Now
Price: £55,040 Engine: Petrol – 2.0 211bhp, plus electric motor Performance: 0 to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, 155mph top speed
Average fuel economy: 166.2-176.4mpg
CO2 emissions: tba Rivals: BMW 5-Series, Audi A6, Volvo S90 interior.When an airline pilot changes from flying say, a Boeing 747 to a Boeing 787 Dreamliner, he or she has to acquire a type rating on the new aircraft which requires a lot of study.
It’s now getting to be this
■ complicated when moving from one car to another.At least it is for a motoring journalist who may drive four different marques of car in a week.That I find challenging – but then so is moving from one generation of car to the next as in the case of this Merc. I’d got used to the old E-Class and now there’s new controls to understand.
New for the E-Class is a three-spoke steering wheel that has two separate bars of switchgear.
They’re capacitive touch controls that allow for greater functionality in Mercedes’ words, or complication in my words.
For example, you can firmly press the button up or down to adjust the cruise control speed by 5mph, or lightly brush your finger up and down to increase by 1mph increments. Like I say, it takes some learning.
You can also use a touchpad on the centre console or use voice control. Big screens that debuted on the current A-Class are now standard regardless of trim level, as is their operating software.That said, the posher-spec cars give you larger screens.
Numerous options and equipment packages are available including the air suspension fitted to our car which gives a particularly comfortable ride.
It’s an option I’d certainly choose.The box I wouldn’t tick is for this car’s petrol engine. If you are sold on the idea of a PHEV the diesel version makes more sense. And naturally I’d have the estate.