Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec 18-Month Review and Report – The Green Car Driver –
Distronic Plus
But it’s the safety features that really gave us an education. The E350 moved us from a mindset that didn’t want unnecessary intrusion (which is what we considered most driver assistance features) to a “how can you get a car without these features?” point-of-view. From the company that introduced the safety cage and crumple zones in 1951 and integrated seat belts and air bags in 1981, one could expect little else.
For starters, I was never a big fan of cruise control as I believed it would lead to a lack of attention on the part of drivers (combine this with texting while driving, for example, and see what you have). The E350 was the first car I drove regularly with radar cruise control and front collision warning. The Mercedes Distronic Plus adaptive cruise control system uses radar sensors in the grille to adjust the car’s speed in order to maintain a preset distance between it and the vehicle ahead. While this works well, it’s the Pre-Safe Brake system (which uses inputs from the Distronic system) that is truly worthy of note.
Attention! Please proceed to the nearest Starbucks
Pre-Safe always monitors the road ahead, even when the cruise control system isn’t turned on. If it senses an impending collision, it emits three warning tones. If the driver doesn’t do anything (such as brake), it will initiate braking and begins to reposition driver and passenger seats (and power rear seats in vehicles so equipped) to a position that provides best protection in the event of a collision. The system also closes the side windows (this provides greater support for the window curtain airbags) and, if a rollover is possible, the sunroof is closed as well.
If the driver still fails to react by 0.6 seconds prior to the impending impact, the Pre-Safe Brake system initiates full-power braking. If nothing else, this will reduce the severity of the impact and, according to Mercedes, serve as an “electronic crumple zone.”
Are you staying in your lane?
Another feature I particularly like, given that today’s cars don’t have the visibility that many cars enjoyed 20 years ago (thanks to the thicker C pillars and bigger blind spots), is what Mercedes appropriately enough calls Blind Spot Assist.
Radar sensors in the rear bumper monitor the space to the right and left of the car, focusing on the blind spot. If a car is detected within its range, a warning triangle in the respective rear view mirror turns yellow. If a car is in the blind spot, the arrow turns red. If you activate the turn signal, indicating a move in the direction of said vehicle, the arrow blinks red and an alert sounds to warn the driver. If the warning is ignored and the driver persists in continuing the maneuver, the car’s Electronic Stability Program uses rear-wheel braking to nudge the car back into its lane.
BOTTOM LINE
This is our last in-depth report on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec sedan. Its Palladium Silver paint still looks factory fresh and continues to exude a certain elegance, while the beige and black leather interior smells factory new and looks to be the epitome of elegance.
We’re excited about what the E250 BlueTec replacement will be like but we do know that, when the E350 BlueTec leaves our long-term fleet in a few months, tears will be shed.
THE DETAILS
| 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec | |
| Base price/price-as-tested | $50,900 / $65.360 |
| Drivetrain | Front engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Engine | 3.0/210 hp/turbocharged V-6 |
| HP/Torque | |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| Curb weight (lbs) | 3,825 (4273?) |
| Wheelbase (inches) | 113.1 |
| Length x width x height (inches) | 191.7 x 75.9 x 57.7 |
| 0-60 mph (seconds) | 6.6 |
| City/Highway fuel economy (mpg) | 21/32 |
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