Mercedes-Benz have introduced the made-in-India E350 CDI V6 diesel at Rs 57.42 lakh.
When the new E-Class arrived some time ago, it only sported a pair of four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. The V8 BiTurbo AMG model followed but there was no big oil-burner in the line-up. MBIL have corrected that with the launch of the E350 CDI.
The new E350 CDI sports a plethora of electronic assistance features including the COMAND Online infotainment system, with Lighting Assist, Adaptive High-Beam Assist and a 360º surround camera. The full complement of uncompromising safety features are, of course, offered as standard.
The new E also gets the up-to-date 3.0-litre V6 – as seen in Europe – without any change of tune. If the details are to be believed, you get the full 265 PS at 3,800 RPM and a best-in-class 620 Nm of torque. Acceleration to 100 km/h is a claimed 6.6 seconds, while the top speed is restricted to 250 km/h.
While some of us were expecting the 350 BlueTEC, the first production car in the world to sport the 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission, it is not so, and the E350 CDI continues with the 7G-Tronic driving the rear wheels. However, that’s not to say it is any less efficient or sprightly. We’ve driven the previous V6 diesel and it was an exciting thing to say the least.
Mercedes-Benz also confirmed that their panoramic sunroof will be offered as standard on the E-Class range, which also includes the 200 CGI turbo-petrol and 250 CDI turbo-diesel. The 350 CDI joins the assembly line at the company’s facility at Chakan, near Pune.
Story: Jim Gorde
