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.
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. |