Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Mercedes E350 CDI Cabriolet

Latest soft-top hits British roads – and we give our verdict on top-spec diesel

Text: Luke Madden / Photos: Pete Gibson

August 2010

The temperature is rising in the battle to be top of the convertible class – and with its blend of style, efficiency and comfort, Mercedes’ E350 CDI looks a real contender.
We got behind the wheel to see if it has what it takes to beat our favourite drop-top, the BMW 3-Series Convertible. And first impressions are good. The latest E-Class’s elegant design works well in the Cabriolet bodystyle, and our flagship Sport model’s subtle bodykit and rear diffuser help make the Mercedes one of the most handsome drop-tops on the road. As with the exterior, the cabin is understated but stylish, and solidly built. Plus, equipment is generous. Limited rear legroom is the only disappointment.
On the road, the 3.0-litre V6 diesel is the perfect companion. It delivers 228bhp and 540Nm of torque, and provides relaxed cruising as well as effortless overtaking ability. The E350 CDI is quick off the line, too, covering 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds. At low speeds, a diesel thrum enters the cabin, but as you pick up the pace you won’t hear the engine at all.
The seven-speed 7G-Tronic auto gearbox is excellent, with shifts so smooth they’re barely noticeable. The only issue we have with it is an occasional, disconcerting pause before the car moves off from a standstill.
Party trick for the Cabriolet is the Aircap, which sees a deflector pop up above the windscreen as the glass panel between the rear seats rises higher. This reduces wind turbulence, and keeps the cabin refined at speed. Add clever climate control and the Airscarf neck heating system, and top-down motoring is practical even on cold days. The fabric roof folds neatly under the rear deck in
20 seconds. But when in place, it minimises wind noise, thanks to its special ‘acoustic’ construction.
In corners, the E350 is composed and the steering is accurate, if a little short on feel.
Buyers looking for driving thrills would be better off with the BMW.Those who want a relaxed cruiser, however, should go for the Merc –it’s a class leader in this respect.
Although you will detect a small amount of body flex over coarse or bumpy surfaces, it’s still smooth and comfortable. Lesser SE-spec models – which do without the stiff suspension of our performance-tuned model – will be even more refined.
The E350 CDI Sport weighs in at £40,780, and BlueEFFICIENCY tweaks bring 40.4mpg combined economy and CO2 emissions of 189g/km – figures that complete an excellent all-round package.

Rival: 330d M Sport Conv.
BMW is a much more involving proposition, and offers behind-the-wheel fun that the Mercedes can’t match. It’s also greener – although it’s not as comfortable as the E-Class, and costs more

Range Rover

We celebrate Brit’s 40th birthday on the US’s toughest trail

August 2010

IT’S a view that would strike fear into even the most hardened thrill-seeking explorer – a single-track road with a sheer drop of over 10,000 feet. And I’m about to descend it in a Range Rover.
Auto Express is in the Rocky Mountains, Colorado, US, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the luxury 4x4 by taking it on its toughest test ever – the legendary Black Bear Pass.
As I look at the road ahead, I’m frozen with fear. It appears impassable. It’s only two miles down, but the track is barely wide enough for our Range Rover and is made up of treacherously wet and jagged rocks. At times there is less than an inch between the wheels and the abyss below, while some hairpins are so tight that we can’t get round without driving to the edge thenreversing back and forth.
At each bend, I put my faith in Land Rover’s top US 4x4 driving instructor Tom ‘TC’ Collins, who guides me inch-by-inch over the minefield of hazards.
The descent took just over two hours, and every minute seemed like an eternity. It’s the most frightening drive I’ve ever done – I’ve never gripped the wheel so hard or kept my foot planted so firmly on the brakes. In two hours I never went above 1mph, and when the final corner was passed I felt a huge wave of relief. I’d conquered Black Bear.
The drive emphatically confirmed that the Range Rover is not only the King of the Mountains, but the most formidable all-round vehicle in the world. Over our four-day expedition, it took some of the most hostile terrain on the planet in its stride, thanks to Hill Descent, which automatically brakes the vehicle on steep descents, and Terrain Response, which allows you to switch the suspension settings to cope with anything from rocks to mud, snow and even sand.
Factor in an adjustable ride height as well as high and low-ratio four-wheel-drive systems, and you’ve got one of the most complete cars in the world.
Off-roading deliberately dominated our birthday adventure, and while most owners will never experience the Range Rover’s talents, they should – if not quite to the extent of the Black Bear Pass.
We also drove plenty of miles on road; enough to leave you amazed that a vehicle which performs so incredibly off it can drive so well on tarmac. We’ve already tested the new 309bhp 4.4-litre V8 diesel, and it’s a mighty machine. Hooked up to a slick new eight-speed auto, it’s capable of 30mpg, while emissions have been cut to 253g/km. But it’s the refinement, performance, assured handling and smooth ride that make it such a great car to travel in.
A luxurious cabin that wouldn’t be out of place in a Bentley further highlights how far the vehicle has come in the last 40 years. After four days, the conclusion was clear – the latest Range Rover is quite simply the best all-round vehicle in the world.