Right, the new E350 CDI then. Visually, there’s nothing really different apart from the badging on the rear; well, the ‘3’ in place of the ‘2’. The wheels our car came with had more spokes than I cared to count, but it was definitely a lot more than five. I step up to the driver door, and then I realise I have to unlock the car, get in and then pop the key in the slot and then turn it to start; gasp! The E350 doesn’t feature key-less drive, so you need your key handy at all times. Of course, if you’ve opted for the V6, you’re probably going to get behind the lovely leather-wrapped steering wheel sometime.
The interior features a pleasant beige leather upholstery, with dark wood trim accenting the two-tone dash. There are a pair of black paddles behind the steering wheel, and a closer look at the centre console tells you that it has just two modes – Eco and Sport – to offer. There is an M-Class-style pedal-and-release-lever parking brake as well. This car made me take second glances more in one initial sitting than the Hall of Mirrors managed.
Once seated, the cabin feels nice. The soft leather and supportive seats together with nice ergonomics of the handles and the feel of the components overall feel like money well spent. The three-pod information console has a stub of a needle on the speedometer with a digital display dominating the centre of the dial. A split sunroof being there is a nice touch as well. The rear is a nice place, but tall occupants will require the front seats taken quite forward. The a-c vents are located in the centre, limiting room for the middle rear passenger. Furthermore, the rear seat could offer better thigh support and foot-room for the other two, but all in all, there’s nothing to really complain about.
On the move, though, one can easily understand that getting in the front seat was the best decision they made. The V6 picks up quite effortlessly and sounds like a slumbering giant at anything below 1,500 revs. The initial surge when I simply touched the accelerator with my toe made me lift off a bit. Let it drop, though, and at lower speeds, I dare say, there is a bit of lag; that split-second hesitation where the horses and the torques seem to be engaged in conversation before letting loose. However, it’s imperceptible for most part. The ride quality is good, but it does feel like it’s caught somewhere between luxury and sport. The road noise and the sounds from the inevitable bumps filter through to the cabin, although that’s nothing the Harman-Kardon speaker system won’t fix.
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