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Photo: Auto Motor und Sport/H.P.Seufert  Two-piece mounting and additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster  The above photo shows a part of the original photo only

Translation of an article from German "Auto Motor und Sport" June 1999 written by Gert Hack

Driving Impressions

D-DAY
.
The diesels storm the last bastions of the gasoline engines. New CDI-engines for the face-lifted E-Class make the decision a torture. auto motor und sport drove the E270CDI with 170hp.

One doesn't want to believe it: 1.800 parts Mercedes says to have changed or renewed for the face-lift of the E-Class. One hardly can tell by just looking at the car. The important innovations lie under the body and they without doubt concern the new diesel engines which now all are state-of-the-art with common-rail direct ignition.

Photo: Auto Motor und Sport/H.P.Seufert      Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

The entry into the beautiful new diesel world now begins with the E200CDI, whose power output compared to the predecessor was risen at 14hp to 116hp. As a welcome side effect the increase in power output is accompanied by a rise of the maximum torque from 235 to 250 Nm. Still a bit more the output of the E220CDI was increased which now with the help of a turbocharger with variable geometry has 143hp and a maximum torque of 315Nm.
Both four-cylinders at the same time are the units which come closest to the original goal of diesel technique: Economy. Because E200CDI and E220CDI not only count to the cheapest models of the E-Class, but they also are very economical with a fuel consumption of only slightly more than 6 litres/100km ((47.09mpg/UK; 39.21mpg/US)).

Very much on top of the diesel hierarchy now the E320CDI ranges. With its 3.2-litre six-cylinder it replaces the old prechamber engine in the E300Turbodiesel. Its 197hp, but even more its enormous maximum torque of 470Nm make it to the favourites amongst the diesel sprinters of its class (see box below). Of course also in price, fuel consumption and the fix costs its on the top.  Photo left: Auto Motor und Sport/H.P.Seufert  Horizontal mirroring and further preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

As best compromise between sprinting and saving the E270CDI suggests itself. Its five-cylinder replaces the tired direct-ignition in the E290Turbodiesel, which with two-valve technique and the distributor injection pump limited in top pressure had only 129hp and 300Nm. The E270CDI, like all CDI-engines a four-valve engine, offers here a real jump in power. 170hp and a maximum torque of 370Nm point to a nearly sporty road performance which hasn't to be afraid of the comparison to the gasoline engine in the E280. And in the standardized fuel consumption ((ECE cycle))  the figures (9.4 litres urban cycle, 5.4 country and 6.9 overall) with a little bit reserved way of driving promise a considerable potential of savings.

Above: Six-speed manual transmission. Left: Five-cylinder CDI glances with its high maximum torque Photo left: Auto Motor und Sport/H.P.Seufert   Photo above: DaimlerChrysler

The expectations, at least what concerns the subjective impressions, aren't disappointed. The five-cylinder acts with such a vehemence, that one feels inclined to check if despite correct identification plate not however by mistake a six-cylinder sticks under the hood. Especially in the middle range of revolution it develops a thrust, which even in the upper gears is impressive. Photo below left: Auto Motor und Sport/H.P.Seufert

.The top speed promised by the factory (220km/h((137mph))) therefore, provided the road is free, even with automatic transmission seems to turn up easily and the acceleration to 100km/h ((62mph)) in only a little more than 9 seconds likely will be no problem, too, in case it should be needed. A noticeable, turbodiesel-specific acceleration weakness has to be gotten over, which in the further course is replaced by pure thrust. The five-speed automatic transmission (DM 3.468,40 extra) meets this circumstance in that as it only from 1800 revs noticeably reduces the slip of the converter. It changes gears softly and is perfectly adapted to the particular

situation, with which the maximum revs per minute is not made use of until the limit (4600revs).
Whoever wants to do that can hold the gears until the rev limit by the manual side tipping of the gear lever which is known from the S-Class. But that is of no use - not even with the sound which in the upper range of revolution, without diesel-typic sounds, only very discreet comes out of the engine compartment. Only in the lower partial load range, when the engine runs up after phases of thrust from idle speed, until the torque converter grabs, a slight knocking becomes audible.
The chassis now with all E-Class models equipped with ESP (electronic stability programme) as expected can handle well the powerful diesels.

....................................................How the new diesels drive............................................................

Face-lift with Mercedes also goes below the skin. The new diesel engines and the easy switchable six-speed transmissions go together very well, too, whereas the top gear laid out as overdrive takes the rest of dynamics from the weakest diesel in the quartet. Despite that the 200CDI, whose engine now also is equipped with a turbocharger with variable geometry, is a quite acceptable base motorization: The economic diesel per se. Noticeably stronger and acoustically low-key, too, the engine of the 220CDI acts. No wonder with a maximum torque of 315 Newton metres. But really to the point comes the 320CDI. The six-cylinder is available with automatic transmission only due to its tremendous maximum torque (470Nm). Nevertheless acceleration and top speed are that good that even big volume gasoline cars have a hard time to keep up. .

With dry roads the Automatic Slip Control ((ASR)) only gets active in the lower gears whilst driving around corners. And electronic interventions into the braking system caused by driving dynamics can be provoked at high friction values with brute force only.
Still convincing are the high functionality and the spaciousness of the E-Class. The newly designed instruments, with the exception of the display below the speedometer, also thanks to the refrain from colourful back lighting, are very good readable, the seats can even better be adjusted with a new electric adjustment for the seat height and the backrest and from the multifunction-wheel with the push of a button one can operate radio, onboard computer and telephone (if installed).
But this amenities are not needed to find out the fundamental driving impression of the Mercedes E270CDI: much pleasure.
Gert Hack
End of article - translation by MBEP webmaster.
As usual remarks in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs to the original text.

..............................Four CDI-engines from 116 to 197hp..................................

Car Type ((Mercedes-Benz W210))	E200CDI	E220CDI	E270CDI	E320CDI
Engine Type/No. of Cyls.	Inline/4	Inline/4	Inline/5	Inline/6
Displacement in ccm	2151	2151	2688	3226
Power Output in kw/hp (DIN)	85/116	105/143	125/170	145/197
Maximum Torque in NM at revs/min	250/1400	315/1800	370/1600	470/1800
Length x Width x Height in millimetres	4818 x 1799 x 1440	4818 x 1799 x 1440	4818 x 1799 x 1441	4818 x 1799 x 1441
Wheelbase in millimetres	2833	2833	2833	2833
Trunk Volume in litres/VDA	520	520	520	520
Empty/Max.Weight in kg	1590/2090	1590/2090	1630/2130	1660/2160
Acceleration 0-100km/h((62mph)) Manual Trans/Auto Trans in sec.	12.5/12.5	10.4/10.7	9.0/9.3	-/8.3 ((Auto only))
Top Speed in km/h Man/Auto ((In mph Man/Auto))	199/197 124/122	213/212 132/132	225/220 140/137	-/230 -/143
ECE Fuel Consumption Man/Auto in litres/100km  Urban Cycle Country Highway ((mpg/UK Urban Cycle Country Motorway mpg/US Urban Cycle Country Highway))	Diesel 8.5/9.1 4.8/5.3 6.2/6.7 33.2/31.0 58.9/53.3 45.6/42.2 27.7/25.9 49.0/44.4 37.9/35.1	Diesel 8.5/9.1 4.8/5.3 6.2/6.7 33.2/31.0 58.9/53.3 45.6/42.2 27.7/25.9 49.0/44.4 37.9/35.1	Diesel 9.4/9.6 5.4/5.7 6.9/7.2 30.1/29.4 53.3/49.6 40.9/39.3 25.0/24.5 43.6/41.3 34.1/32.7	Diesel -/11.1 -/5.9 -/7.8 -/25.5 -/47.9 -/36.2 -/21.2 -/39.9 -/30.2
Price in DM	58.812	63.452	67.860	75.748

Table: Auto Motor und Sport   Additions by MBEP webmaster in ((blabla))
((It is correct that the E200CDI also has a displacement of 2151ccm; with the prices please note that it's the base
prices for every model and that the trim level of German market cars may be different to that of other countries))

Photo: Auto Motor und Sport/H.P.Seufert      Additional preparation for the web by MBEP webmaster

1 Lowered hood, deeper mounted headlamps, ....soft transition from fender to bumper 2 Hood grille with four horizontal bars 3 New front skirt       Computer retouched photo and text: Auto Motor und Sport

Translation of an article from German "Auto Zeitung"

The Facelift Comes Next Summer	Both photos:Auto Zeitung Add. backgr. retouching by MBEP webmaster

In the beginning of June 1999 Mercedes thoroughly modifies the E-Class. "MOPF" this action internally is called "Modellpflege" ((model-updating)). The new car already at the first look can be identified by the changed bumpers, the more outlined door sill profiles, the more tilted grille and the more pulled-down hood. Because the headlamps in the future are more tilted to let the front end look less bulky the fenders inclusive their inner parts are adapted. Whilst the sedan gets rear lamps in the CLK-look the rear view of the station wagon despite the changed bumper remains unchanged.
At least as important as the new outer values is the fine tuning in the inside. Higher quality materials which not only look good in black substitute the cheap-looking plastics. The trim level is enhanced and for extra money new comfort-options like "Comand" (radio, navigation system ((GPS)), telephone) are available for the E-Class.
The variant E430 enriches the 4-matic programme as sedan and station wagon. But for an all-wheel-drive Diesel Mercedes-customers still do have to wait. Together with the facelift comes the complete switch of the diesel-programme to CDI-technique. In the medium-term there are three new self-igniters: The 2.7-litre five-cylinder with around 170hp, a 3.2-litre six-cylinder with around 190hp ((exact figure will be 198hp, see "Line of engines" below)) and as coronation of the common-rail series the 4.0-litre V8 with around 230hp ((238hp)), but the latter going into production not earlier than autumn 2000.
End of article - translation by MBEP webmaster.
As usual remarks in ((blabla)), but (blabla) belongs to original text

Facts from an article from "AutoBild" Photo: Auto Bild   Additional background retouching by MBEP webmaster

The face-lifted W210 will get a lowered front with more tilted headlamps to come closer to the look of the CLK ((W208)). Higher-quality materials used for the dashboard area shall care for a more noble look and space is created in the center console for the optional Comand system known from the new S-Class. The automatic transmission gets the tiptronic scheme known from the W220 and the manual transmissions will have the choice of a 6-speed, but it's not mentioned if the latter will be available for all engines. Nothing will change so far with the gasoline engines, but the diesel range will undergo severe changes:

The old turbodiesel engines ((290 Turbodiesel with 129hp and 300 Turbodiesel with 177hp)) will be substituted by the new 2.7-litre CDI engine with roughly 150hp ((exact figure will be 170hp, see "Line of engines" below)) and the 3.2-litre CDI engine with roughly 195hp ((198hp)). The W210 prices will remain unchanged.
End of self-written article based upon facts of an article from "AutoBild". As usual remarks in ((blabla)).

Line of engines will be: Gasoline                          Diesel E200 = 136hp, inline-4 E200          =   75hp = 4cyl non-turbo(code 922) E240 = 170hp, V6          E220         =   95hp = 4cyl non-turbo E280 = 204hp, V6          E200CDI  = 102hp = 4cyl inline Turbo VTG E320 = 224hp, V6          E220CDI  = 143hp = 4cyl inline Turbo VTG E430 = 279hp, V8          E270CDI  = 170hp = 5cyl inline Turbo VTG E55   = 354hp, V8          E320CDI  = 198hp = 6cyl inline Turbo VTG

Photo: Auto Bild

Compilation by MBEP webmaster, last updated April 25th 1999

Last revised technically: Jan. 8th 2000  Visits since Feb. 21st '98 ....

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