2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

2013 Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTEC

The E350 BlueTEC is the spiritual successor to the clattery but efficient and indestructible diesel-powered Mercedes-Benz sedans of the ‘70s and ‘80s. While it retains the impressible gas mileage of its forebears, its oil-burning engine now features the level of refinement one would expect of a modern Mercedes.

What makes the E350 BlueTEC different from other models in the E-Class range is the 3.0-liter diesel V6 under the hood. Though its output of 210 horsepower isn't impressive, the motor also produces a mighty 400 lb-ft of torque from just 1600 rpm. Hooked up to a polished seven-speed automatic transmission, the mill facilitates effortless passing while also returning notable fuel economy: 22 mpg in the city and a superb 33 mpg on the highway. 

Mercedes-Benz has long been known for its safety features, and the E350 BlueTEC will only add to that reputation. In addition to ABS and ESP stability control, the car boasts nine supplemental restraints including two-stage front air bags, a knee air bag for the driver and pelvic air bags which work together with curtain and side air bags to provide extra protection for front occupants in dangerous side-impact collisions.

Also standard is an "A TTENTION ASSIST" system that can alert the driver to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year in the U.S.A steering sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameters to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning and a "Time for a Rest?" message with a coffee cup icon in the instrument cluster.