That sense of solidity is just as evident on the road. The structural rigidity of the E 350 4MATIC—and other such Ivy-league vehicles—isn’t shaken or disturbed by potholes or heavily blemished roads. The inherent stiffness allows the suspension fittings to do their work with little unpleasant intrusion into the cabin.
This level of engineering and automotive construction certainly adds to the price of premium automobiles but there’s also cutting-edge technology that contributes to onerous price tags.
Safety and control technology
A unique safety feature finding its way into a number of high-end vehicles is a system that detects driver fatigue and responds with a warning. In the case of our subject wheels, it’s MB’s Attention Assist that monitors many aspects of the driver’s interaction with the vehicle in addition to monitoring forward and lateral acceleration and a host of other dynamic elements.
When the system detects symptoms of driver fatigue, an audible warning is heard and an icon of a coffee cup appears in the instrument panel.
The development of this sort of cutting-edge technology isn’t cheap—that has to be reflected somewhere, and that “somewhere” is the buyer’s pocketbook. Eventually important life-saving systems, such as Attention Assist, will trickle down to the mass marketplace but until then, its protection that’s exclusive to the monied.
In addition to control enhancing technology—such as the E 350s Electronic Stability Control Program with Acceleration Skid Control—occupants in premium rides are protected by more airbags than those pontificating in the Canadian Senate—or simply missing.
It’s a fact that $70K buys greater crash protection and survivability than does $20K, and to some folks—that’s priceless. But big price tags bring more than extended protection—they bring extended comfort and performance as well.
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| When the Attention Assist system detects symptoms of driver fatigue, an audible warning is heard and an icon of a coffee cup appears in the instrument panel. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |
This level of engineering and automotive construction certainly adds to the price of premium automobiles but there’s also cutting-edge technology that contributes to onerous price tags.
Safety and control technology
A unique safety feature finding its way into a number of high-end vehicles is a system that detects driver fatigue and responds with a warning. In the case of our subject wheels, it’s MB’s Attention Assist that monitors many aspects of the driver’s interaction with the vehicle in addition to monitoring forward and lateral acceleration and a host of other dynamic elements.
When the system detects symptoms of driver fatigue, an audible warning is heard and an icon of a coffee cup appears in the instrument panel.
The development of this sort of cutting-edge technology isn’t cheap—that has to be reflected somewhere, and that “somewhere” is the buyer’s pocketbook. Eventually important life-saving systems, such as Attention Assist, will trickle down to the mass marketplace but until then, its protection that’s exclusive to the monied.
In addition to control enhancing technology—such as the E 350s Electronic Stability Control Program with Acceleration Skid Control—occupants in premium rides are protected by more airbags than those pontificating in the Canadian Senate—or simply missing.
It’s a fact that $70K buys greater crash protection and survivability than does $20K, and to some folks—that’s priceless. But big price tags bring more than extended protection—they bring extended comfort and performance as well.
 |
| As with its high-priced competitors, the E 350 absorbs road destruction with outstanding effectiveness, yet the smooth ride characteristics don’t compromise handling competency. (Photo: Rob Rothwell/Auto123.com) |