Mercedes Benz has, for a long time, made very powerful engines and placed them inside beautiful motorcar bodies. And they sure know how to make a motorcar move. Few car manufacturers can do it better.

The V6 power-plant in the E 280 CDI produces 140 kW and offers torque characteristics that are outstanding in the engines’ respective displacement category. Furthermore, the consistently lightweight design ensures the car has very low fuel consumption. The 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission, with its seven forward speeds, provides a larger ratio spread between the highest and the lowest gears, while at the same time the ratios are also more closely spaced to ensure optimal engine speeds at all times, reduced fuel consumption and virtually imperceptible gear changes. Multiple downshifting, which allows the 7G-TRONIC to skip gears when changing down, provides faster mid-range acceleration. The V6 is close to three litres, and it is quite surprising to think that the German engineers have tweaked 400 Nm out of this very smooth and efficient engine. All this engine torque is available from just 1400 rpm. The car is electronically limited to 210 km/h, and it can perform the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 7.6 seconds. The Merc has a big paw print, and is shod with 225/55 tyres. Floor the throttle, and the smooth response of the engine is effortless. The creamy engine response beckons the driver to greater things. The Mercedes Benz E-280 CDI is a joy to put through its paces. You can send this car into corners at speed, and experience a chassis that is nimble and well balanced.

Does the Mercedes Benz E280 CDI turn heads? I think you have to rate this car as having one of the most head turning exterior designs in automotive circles. The classic headlight design boasts two larger oval headlamps on the outside, and two smaller oval headlamps on the inside. The car’s athletic nose and low stance gives the impression of speed.

Occupant protection comes in the form of a high-strength safety passenger cell, adaptive front airbags which are deployed in several stages in line with the severity of the impact, side airbags and window airbags. The NECK-PRO crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger work at lightning speed to support the heads of the front occupants at an earlier stage of a big impact coming from the rear of the vehicle . This can reduce the risk of whiplash injuries considerably. Other road users are also protected by the smooth bodywork design and the bumpers which yield in a controlled manner upon impact.

Drop into the driver’s seat and you’ll be greeted by plenty of buttons. Almost everything seems to be either: adjustable, heated, ventilated, tweakable and tuneable or any combination of the above. The Mercedes Benz E280 CDI has a smart and classy looking interior, and the instrumentation is clear and very well laid out. There are nice touches of chrome, and wood veneer splashed about the cabin. They leather seats are oh so comfortable, and long journeys can be performed in total relaxation. As you would expect, the car is full of many features that pamper and entertain.

Australia is well endowed with Mercedes Benz showrooms. Private fleet will happily point you in the right direction. Contact us today, and check out the very satisfying Mercedes Benz E280 CDI.

• Mercedes Benz E280 CDI Saloon
• Mercedes Benz E280 CDI Estate

For any more information on the Mercedes Benz E280 CDI, or for that matter any other new car, contact one of our friendly consultants on 1300 303 181. If you’d like some fleet discount pricing (yes even for private buyers!), we can submit vehicle quote requests out to our national network of Mercedes Benz dealers and come back with pricing within 24 hours. Private Fleet – car buying made easy!

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