Oct 25, 2004 06:48 PM
27320 Views
(Updated Oct 25, 2004 06:48 PM)
My review is on the merc e 270 cdi.there wasn't any section for it in ms.this car is yet another of dc's master pieces.except that,well,this car is the most powerful of all merc cars in india(except the maybach 62!).not in bhp as you would have expected but on torque.more on that later.
the e class is unchanged outside.it is similiar to the new e 240 on the outside.and it is one of the most elegant cars in india.it is more curvacious than the old e class.it is also more aerodynamic on the outside.there are turn indicators in the side mirrors.in the front bumper thare are fog lights integrated.the rear is same except for the e 270 and cdi badging on either side.there is also an integrated spoiler with a vertical stoplight in it.the wheelcaps are new.the merc e class is in every way as good as the new bmw 5 series.the former is classy and elegant,while the latter is aggresive and mean.
in the inside it is very cosy with wood and leather all around.the steering has wood and leather with the three spoked star in the middle.the speedo and tacho are like the normal mercedes dials,with an lcd display in the middle.the dash is very attractive with a wooden strip passing through its neck.on top of the strip the ac vents and stereo are present while below it the ac control switches are present.the switch array and an lcd display pop out on pressing a switch.the gearbox is not as basic as the c class and is like that of the bmw 5(looks like a manual but is actually an automatic).so gear shifting is as smooth as it can be.it is tiptronic and so you can use manual transmission if you want to have some fun.the gear knob also has some wood on it.one must admit that it is one of the safest cars around here.it has a front driver airbag,front passenger airbag,side airbags for the front seat occupants(near the thigh),curtain airbags in the window for front and rear passengers,and airbags in the top of the b pillar as well.then there is anti lock braking system(abs),electronic stability program(eps),brake assist and traction control system(tcs).whew!the seats are very comfortable and the leather feels good.
the engine is as you would have already realised,a common rail diesel.it has a capacity of 2600 odd cc.now to the main feature on the e 270 cdi.torque.guess how much it has?it has 44.3 kgm of torque!!!and it comes at just 2300 rpm!!!!that is 8 kgm more than the s class and it is more than every suv in india!power is good at 173 bhp at just 3800 rpm.high power at a low rev range helps in relaxed city driving.it is not only bhp that determines acceleration figures.torque also plays an important role in it.this translates into amazing performance.0-60 comes in less than 4 seconds and 0-100 comes in around 9 seconds.the sprint gets even quicker when in high speeds.take that for performance from a diesel!it is much faster than the e 240.the e 270 is very involving to drive.there is no turbo lag.top speed is well above 220 kmph.the e 270 cdi has got to be the fastest diesel in india(or in the world?).
fuel efficiency is not really needed in a car at such a premium price range.anyway I am giving the figures.it gives above 10 kmpl in the highway and around 9 in the city.in mixed conditions it gives just about 10 kmpl.these figures are better than that of the e 220(afterall it is a diesel!).so breathtaking performance and economical running costs(only running costs,not purchasing cost!).
the e 270 cdi is an excellent car with amazing performance,a cosy interior,great looks,mercedes brand name and economical running costs.what more would one ask?wait a sec.there is one missing on that list.price tag!okay,the e class is priced at around 45 lakhs.it costs more than the e 240.but for those who can afford it I would advice them to spend a few more bucks and buy the e 270 cdi.curse the indian government.why on earth do they want to put a whopping 80% import duty on cars?the price tag is a bit too premium for even rich indians.i am waiting for the day when the car price tags in india will become on as less as other countries.
PS-i have given this car a rating for the car minus price tag.
do not make your desicion based on this review alone (if you are going to buy this car).take a test drive.
give your comments please and if you cannot spare that much time atleast give my review a rating.
hope this review has been informative and useful.
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