Slick with snow, the highway was slow going over Vail Pass to Glenwood, then from Breckenridge to the Eisenhower Tunnel on our return drive home two weeks ago.
We were reviewing the 2014 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe with 4Matic grip.
The snow-slowed traffic was moving along at 45 to 50 miles per hour much of the way until we got to Georgetown, when the roads cleared and we returned to normal highway speeds.
Mercedes’ all-wheel-drive system empowers all four wheels, engaging each wheel individually as conditions change. Its four-wheel electronic traction setup can detect the onset of wheelspin and instantly pulse the brake at the slipping wheel, transferring torque to a gripping wheel. The system held firm on our venture.On the descents from Breckenridge in busy traffic, it helped by gearing down with paddle shifters to 5th and 4th gears of the 7-speed automatic transmission, and even occasionally to 3rd gear to keep from braking on the slick surface. Few cars were passing, most staying in place, important on icy roads.
The extra grip added a secure feeling in driving about Breckenridge in the snow for two days and nights. The E350 was equipped with grippy Continental ContiSportContact 235/40R18 tires.
The new E350 coupe, from the big star emblem in the center of the pointed grille to the sloping rear end and attractive LED taillights, exudes sleekness.
Moving the Mercedes was a 302-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6, featuring the stop/start system which shuts down the engine at stoplights, restarting on release of the brake. The 3.5 with the smooth 7-speed transmission delivered an average of 25.3 miles per gallon of fuel (EPA estimate is 20/28).The luxurious interior, with its leather and wood trim, is among the quietest of its class. This is among the best of two-doors for handing seatbelts to front-seat passengers, extending an arm with the belt 8 inches forward, then retracting completely out of the way after the belt is secured.
Sticker price on the E350 AWD coupe was $64,670, including a $3,270 package of navigation, rearview camera, harman/kardon surround-sound audio and power rear-window sunshade. Among other options were special lunar blue exterior finish, wood/leather steering wheel, rear deck spoiler, adaptive high-beam headlamps with active curve and corner illumination, multicontour front seats, sport pedals, lane-keeping and blind-spot assist.
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