| Vehicle | |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2011 |
| Make | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model | E-Class |
| Style | E350 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 7A) |
| Base MSRP | $57,725 |
| Options on test vehicle | P02 Package ($6,450 -- includes keyless entry/ignition, COMAND multifunction controller, navigation system, Harman Kardon audio, satellite radio, bi-xenon headlights, rearview camera, iPod interface, heated/ventilated front seats, Airscarf neck warmers); Distronic Plus Package ($2,650 -- includes adaptive cruise control, front/rear park assist); Appearance Package ($1,990 -- includes multicontour front seats, sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch AMG alloy wheels, cross-drilled brake rotors, sport pedals, shift paddles); Mbrace Telematics ($660). |
| As-tested MSRP | $69,475 |
| Drivetrain | |
|---|---|
| Drive type | Rear-wheel Drive |
| Engine type | Naturally aspirated, direct-injected gasoline V6 |
| Displacement (cc/cu-in) | 3,498cc (213 cu-in) |
| Block/head material | Aluminum/aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC, four valves per cylinder, variable intake + exhaust-valve timing |
| Compression ratio (x:1) | 10.7 |
| Redline (rpm) | 6,250 |
| Horsepower (hp @ rpm) | 268 @ 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 258 @ 2,400 |
| Fuel type | Premium unleaded (required) |
| Transmission type | Seven-speed automatic |
| Transmission and axle ratios (x:1) | I= 4.377; II=2.859; III=1.921; IV=1.368; V=1.00; VI= 0.82; VII= 0.728 FD=2.82 |
| Chassis | |
|---|---|
| Suspension, front | Independent MacPherson struts, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Suspension, rear | Independent multilink, coil springs, twin-tube dampers, stabilizer bar |
| Steering type | Hydraulic-assist, speed-proportional rack-and-pinion power steering |
| Steering ratio (x:1) | 14.7 |
| Tire brand | Continental |
| Tire model | ContiSport Contact 3 |
| Tire type | Summer |
| Tire size, front | P235/40ZR18 95Y |
| Tire size, rear | P255/35ZR18 94Y |
| Wheel size | 18-by-7.5 inches front -- 18-by-8.5 inches rear |
| Wheel material | Cast aluminum |
| Brakes, front | 12.7-inch ventilated cast-iron discs |
| Brakes, rear | 11.8-inch ventilated cast-iron discs |
| Track Test Results | |
|---|---|
| Acceleration, 0-30 mph (sec.) | 2.6 |
| 0-45 mph (sec.) | 4.5 |
| 0-60 mph (sec.) | 6.8 |
| 0-75 mph (sec.) | 10.0 |
| 1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) | 15.0 @ 93.1 |
| 0-60 with 1 foot of rollout (sec.) | 6.5 |
| Braking, 30-0 mph (ft.) | 28 |
| 60-0 mph (ft.) | 110 |
| Slalom, 6 x 100 ft. (mph) | 64.4 |
| Skid pad, 200-ft. diameter (lateral g) | 0.86 |
| Sound level @ idle (dB) | 41.4 |
| @ Full throttle (dB) | 74.8 |
| @ 70 mph cruise (dB) | 67.1 |
| Test Driver Ratings & Comments | |
|---|---|
| Acceleration comments | There's an optimal wisp of spin that gets the E350 off the line smartly, but ultimately it makes little difference. Consistent runs across the board. Upshifts at redline whether in Comfort or Sport mode. |
| Braking rating | Good |
| Braking comments | Belt-cinching with each full-ABS panic stop from 60 mph. Acceptable amount of fade without pedal effort change. Short distance for a 2-ton convertible. |
| Handling rating | Good |
| Handling comments | Slalom: Good balance and crisp turn-in had me smacking cones with the rear wheels, forcing me to take what felt like a wide line. Eventually, understeer became the limiting factor. However, having the ESC on eliminated the understeer and improved the ultimate speed through the cones. Skid pad: Remarkable amount of grip here -- more even than E550 coupe. Easy to balance with the throttle to maintain smooth, consistent arc with ESC off. Steering is a little "distant" but has the precision and feel of a sports car. With ESC on, it subtly keeps the car dead on the painted line with no steering. |
| Testing Conditions | |
|---|---|
| Elevation (ft.) | 0 |
| Temperature (°F) | 69 |
| Relative humidity (%) | 53 |
| Wind (mph, direction) | 2.8, head |
| Fuel Consumption | |
|---|---|
| EPA fuel economy (mpg) | 17 city/25 highway/20 combined |
| Edmunds observed (mpg) | 17.6 |
| Fuel tank capacity (U.S. gal.) | 17.4 |
| Dimensions & Capacities | |
|---|---|
| Curb weight, mfr. claim (lbs.) | 3,883 |
| Curb weight, as tested (lbs.) | 4,026 |
| Weight distribution, as tested, f/r (%) | 51.3/48.7 |
| Length (in.) | 185.0 |
| Width (in.) | 70.3 |
| Height (in.) | 55.0 |
| Wheelbase (in.) | 108.7 |
| Track, front (in.) | 60.8 |
| Track, rear (in.) | 60.6 |
| Turning circle (ft.) | 35.9 |
| Legroom, front (in.) | 42.0 |
| Legroom, rear (in.) | 30.1 |
| Headroom, front (in.) | 38.3 |
| Headroom, rear (in.) | 36.2 |
| Shoulder room, front (in.) | 54.1 |
| Shoulder room, rear (in.) | 47.8 |
| Seating capacity | 4 |
| Cargo volume (cu-ft) | 11.5 |
| Max. cargo volume, seats folded (cu-ft) | 11.5 |
| Warranty | |
|---|---|
| Bumper-to-bumper | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Corrosion | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Roadside assistance | Unlimited |
| Safety | |
|---|---|
| Front airbags | Standard |
| Side airbags | Dual front |
| Head airbags | Front |
| Knee airbags | Driver only |
| Antilock brakes | Four-wheel ABS |
| Electronic brake enhancements | Braking assist, electronic brakeforce distribution |
| Traction control | Traction control |
| Stability control | Stability control |
| Rollover protection | Side curtain airbag, rollover sensor, convertible occupant rollover protection |
| Tire-pressure monitoring system | Tire-pressure monitoring |
| Emergency assistance system | Pre-collision safety system |
| NHTSA crash test, driver | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, passenger | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side front | Not tested |
| NHTSA crash test, side rear | Not tested |
| NHTSA rollover resistance | Not tested |
| IIHS offset | Not tested |
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