Opinion: Mercedes E 450, now with jet thrust

E-Class drivers, welcome to the jet age. Welcome to the E 450 with an inline-six engine under the hood. Welcome to turbine-like power, honey-smooth running and loads and loads of oomph. But why the turbine reference?

Well, to begin with, there’s the near perfect primary and secondary balance of the straight six. And then, even by straight six standards, the E 450’s M256 is special; after all, the same engine also powers Merc’s flagship S-Class. Superbly balanced and hushed, like there are blankets thrown over the bonnet, this engine is as smooth as a turbine.

It has huge reserves of power: 381hp and 500Nm going to all four wheels. So, despite the extra bulk of the stretched E-Class, 0-100kph comes up in just 4.5 seconds. The humongous torque reserve means it just pulls and pulls like a jet, even if you keep your foot halfway down.

Mechanical highlights of the M256 engine.

What makes it even more turbine-like is that responsiveness or power delivery is relatively laid-back, just like a jet. Tap the throttle and it doesn’t exactly jump to attention. Sure, performance is very strong, but power builds consistently rather than being delivered in an explosive manner, and that’s because unlike on the AMG GLE 53 Coupe or the S-Class, this version of the engine doesn’t get a second electric turbo.

Known as the eZV system, this electric auxiliary compressor (official name) is responsible for the quick responses on the AMG and S-Class and other cars it is installed on. Put your foot down on those cars and a small electric motor spins the smaller turbo instantly. How quick? How’s 70,000rpm in just 300 milliseconds or 0.3 of a second. Merc says this F1-derived tech allows engines to be equipped with larger conventional turbos. The E 450 only gets a 23hp e-boost from the mild-hybrid system.

So yeah, drive this 450 after driving a comparatively weak and noisy 200 or 220d, and it really does feel like transitioning from piston to turbine power. It even whines like a turbine.

Getting behind the wheel is also pure pleasure. Start up the engine, and the engine comes to life silently. The reason you don’t hear a conventional starter is because it doesn’t have one – the mild-hybrid starter/generator spins the engine, so the E 450 wakes up almost silently.

Also adding to the calm inside the cabin is the suspension setup that helps it ride better than a regular E-Class. It’s near silent at speed, body control especially at low speeds is better, and there’s no distant pitter-patter either. While the earlier E-CLass – the V213 – powered by a V6 got air suspension, this one feels even more accomplished without it.

Adding to the driving pleasure is a quick steering, a cohesive front and rear axle (something the earlier long wheelbase E-Class never really had), and the immense stability a long wheelbase brings. Do miss having rear-wheel steering, for added agility, like the E-Class gets elsewhere. And on a winding road, you do feel a slight ‘straightening’ tug from the four-wheel-drive system when you add power as you exit the corner.

However, one thing’s for sure. The E-Class, after skipping a generation, feels fantastic to drive again. Smooth, silent, effortless, fast and with a typically supple Merc ride. Sure, the focus of the V214 is the rear seat, but the new six-cylinder-equipped E is thrilling and a bit more rewarding to drive.

The Mercedes E 450, at a price of Rs 92.5 lakh, costs Rs 14 lakh more than the petrol E 200 and Rs 11 lakh more than the E 220d, but it’s likely to hold onto its price better, depending on when you sell it. You will also drive this one more yourself. Miss seeing the Mercedes star on the long bonnet though. And yeah, what’s strange is that while Mercedes E-Class has a straight six engine, the BMW 5 Series doesn’t! Go figure.