I took an opportunity to bypass a slower moving vehicle on the way up the highway onramp, and again was surprised at the
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| While the ride of the E500 is supple it bites into the asphalt with more grip than I expected. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
car's acceleration. The tug at the back comes across much more enthusiastically than 302 horsepower normally feels - a welcome surprise. Actual numbers validate my initial reaction, showing a 5.9 second sprint to 100 km/h, compared to BMW's new 545i which arrives at the same speed in about 5.8 seconds - spliting hairs really. I was similarly impressed once tackling the seaside curves that lead out to my mountain home. While the ride is supple it bites into the asphalt with more grip than I expected, more BMW-ish than I remembered my previous M-B test car feeling. Please don't be insulted by that last remark Mercedes fans, as BMW does an exemplary job balancing ride and handling. While the E500 was noticeably softer than the new 545i, it should hardly be
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| The unique Airmatic DC suspension system is responsible for the E500's grace under pressure on twisty roads. (Photo: Shawn Pisio, Canadian Auto Press) |
embarrassed when the road starts to wind. M-B went about achieving this capability for grace under pressure in a completely different manner than its German rival, however, by incorporating a rather unique engineering solution dubbed Airmatic DC. While previously offered in the E430, now the system that replaces traditional coil springs with air bellows in the struts is standard. It maintains a full inhalation of air during normal driving for increased ride comfort, and then releases air to produce a firmer setting during aggressive maneuvers. When the full sport position is dialed in the system is set to its firmest level while ride height is lowered by slightly more than one half inch.
