Mercedes Benz E200CGi test drive
By Daniel Fernandez
This is the 8th version of the legendary E-class model and we were given 2 whole days to dissect and discover all the new features and try and find some not so good points to write about where possible. Two engine versions are available for Malaysia. A 1.8-liter turbocharged E200 CGI engine and a 3-liter V6 engine. The E200 CGI carries the ‘blueEFFICIENCY’ tag and shares the same exact engine with the E250 CGI, but in the E200 the car specifications are slightly better. We test the E200 CGI here.
This new CGI engine is quiet and refined and is an engine that has been designed for extracting the most performance without the sacrifice of high fuel consumption. Surprisingly the E200 CGI engine can run on RON95 fuel without any misfiring or loss in performance thanks to an ingenious piston head design, and puts out a respectable power figure of 184hp at 5,250rpm and 270Nm at 1,800 to 4,500rpm. It provides an impressive fuel consumption of 7.8 liters for every 100km drive. So what about the drive? Caress the pedal and the E200 leaves the line from a smooth, strong off-idle delivery to an emphatic surge of torque, which gives it outstanding responsiveness, rolling acceleration and overtaking performance in this class of car. It ticks along at the legal highway limit doing only 2400rpm in 5th, using as little fuel as possible. Yet when you need speed the E200 will also cover the 0-100kmh sprint in 7.3 seconds. You are usually unaware that it’s doing so. You can drive around the city all week and hardly see the high side of 2400rpm (this is the engine revolution speed where the lower the revolution the better the fuel consumption). On the open road, the softly sprung, long-travel suspension irons out the worst the Klang Valley roads can throw at it. The Mercedes glides from point-to-point like no other executive car in its class. This E200 remains enjoyably old-school luxury Mercedes in its ride and handling which promises many loyal customers to smile at its purchase prospect. The brakes are adequate in power and progression, with greater pedal feel than some previous E-Class models.
The E200’s interior is unchanged from previous models. It retains a lovely sense of elegance; openness and light that adds to the enjoyment of touring in an E Class but with added space and safety features. Active front seat head restraints are now standard. It is available only in Avantgarde specification, which includes leather upholstery, automatic air-conditioning, a six-stack CD player, eight airbags, cruise-control with speed limiter newly developed light-alloy wheels combined with wide-base tyres, front/rear parking warnings, oval stainless steel exhaust tailpipes and remote central locking. Besides the Comand APS navigation system, Pre-safe preventive occupant safety system and Thermotronic automatic climate control, useful friendly features like the adjustable bottle holders on the front and the large wide glove box to hide away the Plus Tag and purses, help to make it a friendly car to drive.
For the high profile woman executive on a hectic daily schedule, the wide driver’s seat looks after you with typical Germanic comfort that is only Mercedes in it final execution. The driving position can be tailored to all physiques; leg room is sufficient for anyone. Dash layout is efficient and easy to use, as is the multi-function wheel. The back seat is similarly firm and unemotional in its ability to keep your passengers happy. For the mother of two who needs to transport her kids, the ISOFIX rear seats and high safety features leave a piece of mind on the road and when immediate avoidance is needed on city driving, the ABS brakes and tight suspension will leave little issues and keep the occupants safe and sound. Its reserves of pulling power, tapped with refined, effortless grace, give this E-Class model a style of performance that works on every drive, in or out of town.
