Mercedes now has a vast model range, but the E Class has always been its heartland car. It was profits from these that paid for the expansion of the range, first into the 190/C Class and then everything else. Now freed from the disastrous marriage with Chrysler, Mitsubishi and most of the other idiotic ideas of the previous management (only Maybach continues to hang around like a bad smell), Mercedes can get back to doing what it does best.
The styling of the new E Class immediately tells you this is a company that has recovered its self confidence. The front end is assertive without being shouty the new sharp-edged headlights look far more positive than the slightly apologetic round ones of the old car. That air of confidence pervades the whole design. Mercedes knows it is not BMW and has developed a car which is good to drive, but concentrates on refinement rather than outright handling.
Mercedes being Mercedes, you can have Sport and even AMG versions, but that is rather missing the point of the car. The new E Class makes most sense as an E220 or E250 CDI, with the excellent diesel engine proving strong performance and very competitive fuel economy. The E350 CGI petrol is amusing when you really want to press on, but for 99% of the time the smaller diesels provide all the power you want.
Nowadays, there are so many cars trying to be something they are not, that is very satisfying to waft along in an E250 CDI. It is a car that knows exactly what is wants to be and achieves it goal: a refined, spacious executive cruiser that can handle impressively when needed.
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