Introduction

Exclusivity has a charm of its own. Produce anything in limited numbers, and the value of the product will increase, thanks to demand. Mercedes-Benz India has just launched a special edition E-Class in an attempt to drum up interest in the car before they launch the next generation W212 E-Class. Is it really exclusive? Is it worth the money? We find out.

Exterior

The Special Edition E doesn’t look different from a normal E at first sight other than the exclusive Carneol Red paint, but after a few minutes of head-scratching, you’ll notice the new 17” five-spoke wheels, the LED tail lamps and the bits of extra chrome. If all this escapes your eye, the ‘Special Edition’ badges on the car’s flanks might just do the trick.

Other than these new touches, the E still looks as it has for the last few years – surprised-looking twin oval headlamps with the chrome grille between them, and a traditional sedan silhouette that flows neatly into that slightly-dated rear end. These looks will be replaced by the natty square-headlamp design soon enough, so if you like the lines of the current E-Class, you’ll need to purchase one before the new one reaches our shores.

Interior

The first thing that strikes you when you shut the door is the solid feeling you get from the Special Edition. It’s a pleasing place to be, this interior. It is covered with beige leather and accentuated with bird's-eye maple wood trim. What is really wonderful about this interior is the small touches that make it special – open the door, look down and you’ll notice that the scuff plates have backlit ‘Mercedes-Benz’ text. Rest your elbow on the armrest, and you’ll find extra padding on the door to cushion your arm. Use the buttons on the steering wheel, and you’ll find them soft, yet they engage positively. The feeling of being special is only enhanced when you explore the interior.

Fit and finish is of the highest order. The instrument cluster is dominated by the central speedometer with its floating needle and multi-function display, and is flanked by an analog tachometer and clock. The left and right ends house digital gauges that indicate fuel level and engine temperature.

The perfect driving position is easy to achieve, with adjustments for everything, including steering reach and rake, seat height and lumbar support. The gearshift lever with the three-pointed star on it adds to the sense of occasion, along with the view through the one atop the grille. The other occupants of the car will enjoy their time in the car, what with well-proportioned seats both front and rear. There is ample legroom at the rear, but the middle rear passenger might find themselves a little uncomfortable thanks to the transmission tunnel.

The audio system offers clear sound upto loud volumes with no distortion. The only jarring note being the lack of the option to plug in a USB drive or an auxiliary in – and the screen doesn’t dim on its own when the headlamps are switched on, which makes it hard on the eyes at night. There are more than enough places to keep knick-knacks and the boot is big enough for an airport run.

Engine, drivetrain, fuel efficiency

Engine

The same 2987cc oil-burner that does duty under the E280 CDI’s hood is present in the Special edition. This turbocharged six-cylinder powerplant generates 198bhp and 456Nm, and is placed longitudinally to drive the rear wheels. There is always more than enough power on hand, and when the loud pedal is pushed to the floor, an extremely surprising amount of acceleration. It’s like dismissing the fat kid at dance class, only to find out later that he is much more flexible and better co-ordinated than anyone else you picked. It rushes past the ton in 8.4 seconds, and the 30-50kph time of 2.8 seconds shows how effective you will be at making it through before the light turns red. At the same time, the engine is so very refined and silent that it might fool people both inside and outside the car into believing that the car runs on petrol and not the sticky stuff.

Drivetrain

Merc’s 7G-Tronic transfers power from the engine to the rear wheels. We complained about the shift times not too long ago in our review of the C230, but the same gearbox seems perfectly suited to the E280. The ample torque from the engine and the essentially laid-back nature of the car mean that the less-than-lightning-quick shift times are acceptable. We still wish that Mercedes provided paddles behind the wheel for shifting gears manually. We also wonder why the gear selector indicator never shows '7' on the display - it always shows D1 to D6, followed by D.

Fuel Efficiency

The worst efficiency we achieved was during testing – a figure of 6.5kpl. During normal usage, this figure jumped by about 3kpl to 9.5kpl. This increase is only slight because the power that the engine offers is so addictive, you’re bound to put your foot down once you reach an open stretch of road.

Ride & Handling, Steering

The first thing that strikes you about this car when you move off is its poise when you encounter a bump. There’s a muted thump from the offending wheel, and… nothing. No jolt, no deviation from the chosen line at all. This doesn’t mean that it feels bouncy at speed – the ride stays supple right up to the car’s performance limits, and yet you know that it is in control. You are in control all the time, whether it’s dicing through city traffic or doing your best imitation of the Cannonball Run.

The steering doesn’t feel heavy at all at parking speeds, but drive it hard through a corner and it’s got a lot more feel than you’d expect. It’s also extremely accurate. Ground clearance can be a bit of an issue, as with most big German saloons, but you'll never hit a speed breaker during normal usage.

Braking, Tyres, Safety

Braking

The brakes on the E280 are more than a match for the engine’s performance. They haul the car to a stop from 80kph in 32.7 metres and 2.9 seconds. Their bite is nice, and the feedback from the pedal allows you to modulate the braking force very well.

Tyres

Continental SportContact 2s of the size 245/45 R17 are the E280 CDI’s connection with the tarmac. They’re quiet at speed, grip well, and help with the car’s ride at low speeds.

Safety

As befits Mercedes’ best-seller, the E Class has a raft of both active and passive safety features, from a three-point seat-belt for all occupants, to ABS with EBD and BA, and airbags

Cost, Overall evaluation

The E280 CDI Special edition retails at Rs 43.4 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi, which is a tad expensive, but hey – exclusivity never came cheap. Only 192 examples will sold on demand, so if you like this generation of the E-Class, order yours before they run out of stock.

The Special edition E is a throwback to the days of Mercs when they felt built like battle tanks, and we prefer it over the current crop from Stuttgart. However, we also hear that the new E is a quantum leap ahead…

Test Data

Engine Specifications

2987cc, six cylinders in vee, turbocharged diesel. 198bhp@4000rpm and 456Nm@1400rpm. View specifications

Max in Gear

Performance Test Data

Fuel Efficiency