Tag: executive airport taxi service

MERCEDES E220d SE 9G-Tronic

The tenth generation executive Mercedes Benz brings significant improvements in performance and luxury.

The MERCEDES E220d comes in SE and AMG trim levels. It uses Mercedes’ new 194bhp four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo-diesel, and a nine-speed transmission, replacing the seven-speed of the old E.

Estate versions joined the range at the end of 2016. The EŽ20d SE doesn’t quite manage to hit the 99g/km C02 level it emits 102g/km. A Plug-In Hybrid petrol-electric E350e version will follow.

The E-Class looks smoother than its predecessor, with a look of Mercedes S-Class about the exterior. The grille, is bolder and the traditional “gunsight” grille is back as an option. Compared with its predecessor, its wheelbase has grown by 65mm and overall length is 43mm greater. This gives an extra 6mm of knee room in the rear. Boot space is the same at 540 litres.

 Inside, the Mercedes E-Class has adopted the wide-screen, “floating” digital double-panel from the S-Class, complete with ambient lighting in a choice of 64 colours. Satnav graphics are extremely crisp; the central 12.3in screen covers the, mapping while driving information is on the same sized customizable screen in front of the driver.

On the road, the four-cylinder diesel is extremely smooth and well-insulated. There’s very little noticeable engine noise. Ride can be configured to Sport. Comfort or Eco. Adaptive cruise control is now part of a suite of systems called Drive Pilot. This includes a speed limit resognition system that reads road signs via a camera and immediately sets the cruise control to the maximum on the sign.

It can also follow lanes round corners without driver input. The car automatically steers, tracking the car in front, even if there are no lane markings. In traffic jams, Distronic stays engaged for 30sec after you’ve stopped, re-engaging the moment the car in front moves off. Mercedes E Class economy performance of 43.5mpg at 30mph was some way short of the claimed 72.4mpg, but a big improvement on the old E220d last tested in 2013 (39.4mpg at 30mph).

The Mercedes Benz E Class estate has a typically Mercedes roof line a gently descending slope at the rear, which makes the back doors taller and helps with rear seat access. The load area is very acceptable 540 litres below the load cover, with a wide, flat lip and a deep space 1,175mm from tailgate to the seat backs. The rear load cover is attached to the electric tailgate and raises when the door is opened.