The scene looked like something out of a big-screen political thriller: a line of black Mercedes sedans pouring from the front of a boat and quickly dispersing into downtown Toronto traffic. Tires squealed and engines revved as the dignitaries were whisked away-- and those nearby stopped and wondered what sort of happening warranted the surprise Benz-parade.
I'm exaggerating, a little. Some of the 2010 E-Class sedans weren't black, and there were pairs of Canadian automotive journalists, not dignitaries, on board.
Big-screen presence
Their mission? Drive from the Toronto Island Airport up north to the Muskokas for an impression of the just-revised elemental Mercedes sedan.
It's easy to think Hollywood when looking at the latest E-Class. The detail, poise and stance are undeniable, and most will find the car looks more elegant and sophisticated than is typical for it's size.
There's a lot of character and presence here. The quad-segment headlamps and various body accents demand to be stared at, and the trademark grille leaves no doubt as to the car's identity. Body lines are creased more tightly than a freshly-pressed Versace suit, and the machine looks like big money from any angle.
Customers and competition
That's important-- given that many in the E-Class's target market tout their aspirations by owning luxury products. Mercedes would like the E-Class to be one of those products.
That pesky 5-Series is a bit of a hassle, though. Combined with the E-Class, these two rivals occupy some 70 percent of the market. The other 30 belong to lower-volume machines like the Acura RL, Volvo S80 and Audi A6.
What makes the E-Class stand out in the crowd? Shoppers new to the market mightn't care much about the history behind it-- but they'll probably like the selection. As with any successful competitor in this marketplace, the lineup gets several engine, driveline and body configurations.
Choose your weapon, sort of thing.
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| The 2010 E-Class is on sale now from $62,900. |
I'm exaggerating, a little. Some of the 2010 E-Class sedans weren't black, and there were pairs of Canadian automotive journalists, not dignitaries, on board.
Big-screen presence
Their mission? Drive from the Toronto Island Airport up north to the Muskokas for an impression of the just-revised elemental Mercedes sedan.
It's easy to think Hollywood when looking at the latest E-Class. The detail, poise and stance are undeniable, and most will find the car looks more elegant and sophisticated than is typical for it's size.
There's a lot of character and presence here. The quad-segment headlamps and various body accents demand to be stared at, and the trademark grille leaves no doubt as to the car's identity. Body lines are creased more tightly than a freshly-pressed Versace suit, and the machine looks like big money from any angle.
Customers and competition
That's important-- given that many in the E-Class's target market tout their aspirations by owning luxury products. Mercedes would like the E-Class to be one of those products.
That pesky 5-Series is a bit of a hassle, though. Combined with the E-Class, these two rivals occupy some 70 percent of the market. The other 30 belong to lower-volume machines like the Acura RL, Volvo S80 and Audi A6.
What makes the E-Class stand out in the crowd? Shoppers new to the market mightn't care much about the history behind it-- but they'll probably like the selection. As with any successful competitor in this marketplace, the lineup gets several engine, driveline and body configurations.
Choose your weapon, sort of thing.
 |
| The E-Class even has a feature to combat dozed driving. |