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By Anita And Paul LienertDetroit Newspapers
October 25, 2006
We tested an E320 with more than $6,000 worth of options and a bottom line of $58,835. SHE: I know this sounds sacrilegious for a Michigan State grad living in Ann Arbor, but I'd rather go blue than green. What I mean to say is that the new Bluetec turbo-diesel engine in this familiar Mercedes sedan seems like such an elegant solution to balancing fuel-economy and environmental concerns. It's more appealing to me -- and probably to a lot more Americans -- than owning and driving a gas-electric hybrid, with all its extra cost and complexity and unresolved issues like battery replacement cost. HE: I remember driving the Lexus GS 450h, which competes head to head with the E320 Bluetec, and thinking that the Lexus hybrid probably wasn't worth the money, at least not compared with the standard gasoline version. I don't have any of those qualms about the Bluetec. In fact, I'd prefer it over the gasoline E-Class for one major reason -- mileage. The EPA ratings on this luxury car are phenomenal: 26 miles per gallon in city driving and 37 on the highway. There are plenty of gasoline-powered subcompacts that don't get anywhere near that kind of highway mileage. The regular gasoline E350 is rated 19 and 26, just for comparison purposes. That 3-liter turbo-diesel in the E320 is also amazing, in terms of torque. It produces nearly 400 pounds-feet, which is more than most gasoline V-8s. Talk about eating your cake. SHE: I like the fact that the new Bluetec engine is not like the diesels of the past. It doesn't belch smoke and it doesn't really sound like a diesel, at least not after it's warmed up. You don't have to wait for the glowplugs to light up -- it starts right away. You can still smell the diesel fumes if you're standing by the tailpipe, but it's nothing like the old days. This engine is also a lot cleaner than those old diesels, thanks to the Bluetec technology, which basically cleans up the exhaust emissions. On the down side, diesel fuel is still more expensive than gas -- 35 cents more per gallon here in Michigan. HE: I don't want to downplay the other attributes of the E320, which is a fine mid-range luxury sedan. Yes, the styling is fairly conservative. The cabin has almost a clubby atmosphere, with beautiful wood, leather and other high-quality materials. The biggest drawback is the rear compartment, which is shockingly small andhas few amenities. SHE: You forgot to mention that giant transmission tunnel that runs between the legs of the middle passenger in the rear. Beyond that, there are few flaws. I love some of the options, like the dual panoramic sunroof, which costs $1,000, and the $520 power decklid that provides access to that roomy trunk. Our car included such standard equipment as side air bags and side curtains for both rows, plus the well-regarded Pre-Safe collision protection system. HE: With the new Bluetec engine, we're basically talking about guilt-free luxury-car ownership here. If you have the money, but want to do your part for clean air and fuel conservation, Mercedes offers an intriguing solution. 2007 Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec Type: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive, five-passenger sedan. Price: Base, $52,325 (inc. $775 shipping charge); as tested, $58,835. Engine: 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel; 208-hp; 388 lb-ft torque. EPA fuel economy: 26 mpg city/37 mpg highway. Where built: Germany Estimated 12-month insurance cost, according to AAA Michigan: $2,053 Anita Rating: 5 Likes: Excellent fuel economy for a mid-size luxury sedan. Outstanding safety features, including side air bags and curtains for both rows. $1,000 panoramic sunroof provides lots of light for front and rear. Roomy trunk with $520 power opener/closer. Easy to handle and operate. Easier to find diesel fuel than E85 and other alt fuels. Dislikes: Pretty pricy at nearly $60,000. Diesel fuel still costs more than gasoline. Giant transmission hump in rear. I can still smell diesel fumes from exhaust. Heated front seats cost extra. Paul Rating: 5 Likes: Guilt-free luxury-car ownership. Tasteful cabin with high-quality materials. Sensational TDI engine makes more torque than many gasoline V-8s. State-of-the-art 7-speed Tiptronic. Terrific brakes. Dislikes: Cramped rear seat. Narrow rear door openings. Diesel is still a little noisy when cold. He drove, she drove Anita and Paul Lienert are partners in Lienert & Lienert, a Detroit-based automotive information services company.
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