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The hood ornament is something that has mostly disappeared in car design. I kind of miss them. I think they add a certain flair to a vehicle.
So I was happy to see that my tester for the week, the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E550, had one.
That emblematic Mercedes logo roosted proudly on the hood of the E550, and rightfully so. The E550 is a vehicle that epitomizes Mercedes-Benz.
This five-person sedan combines high-quality luxury with top-notch engineering. No wonder that hood ornament was there, almost like a badge of approval.
And under that hood resides one powerful, well-tuned engine. The 4.6-liter bi-turbo V8 engine cranks out 402 horsepower and 443 lb./ft. of torque. And, as is the case with most German vehicles, the E550 is not shy about letting the torque be felt.
The Mercedes-Benz E550 pulls like a freight train. New for this model year is a standard 4Matic all-wheel drive system that makes sure that freight train stays on the rails. And indeed, the E550 instinctively grips the road as the engine works flawlessly with the 7-speed driver-adaptive transmission.
Also new to this model year for the E-series is electromechanical steering (replacing a hydraulic steering system). All of this engineering is not transparent to the driver, but felt throughout the flawless driving experience.
A meticulous interior does not disappoint either. Black leather seats comfort all passengers while the driver is especially spoiled with extra lumbar support and a massaging seat. Details like the black ash wood trim should not go unnoticed, as it’s touches like this and the high-quality materials that make this Mercedes stand out as a luxury brand.
Subtle nuances highlight the E550’s exterior design. The sedan lacks garish styling, instead opts for simple, clean lines and a stout appearance. The grille is equally understated, and the only real pizzazz is in the rear of the car where dual chrome tailpipes give a hint to its powerful side.
Despite such a big engine, the E550 remains relatively fuel-efficient. EPA estimates are 16 city and 26 highway. In a week’s worth of heavy-footed driving I averaged nearly 21 MPG. Premium fuel is required, and adds to the cost.
The entire E-series is one of Mercedes’ most versatile lines. There are five variants within the E-series, including a powerful station wagon that seats up to seven passengers, a four-passenger coupe, and even a convertible. Two sedan variants reside in the E350 series as well as the E550.
Because of this versatility, prices range from $50,000 for the E350 model to more than $90,000 for the souped-up E63 AMG. My tester had an MSRP of $59,790, but with several upgraded packages, including the sport package (with 18-inch AMG alloy wheels and lowered sport suspension), my tester came in at $75,655.
The Mercedes-Benz E-series is all things to all people looking for luxury, power and performance.
Source: Springfield News-Sun
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