.jpg?w=700&c=0 "BMW iX1 LWB real-world range tested and explained")
The new E 450 gets a smooth, turbine-like straight six engine.
E-Class drivers . . . . welcome to the jet age. Welcome to the E 450 with an inline-six engine under the hood. Welcome to turbine-like power, honey smooth running and loads and loads of oomph. But why the turbine reference?
Well, to begin with there’s the near perfect primary and secondary balance of the straight six. And then even by straight six standards the E 450’s M256 is special; this after all is the engine that also powers Merc’s flagship the S-Class. Superbly balanced and hushed, like there are blankets thrown over the bonnet, the engine is as smooth as a turbine.
Then it has huge reserves of power. A huge 381hp and 500Nm of torque, and this means there’s a massive amount of power going down to all four wheels. So despite the extra bulk of the stretched E-Class 0-100 kph comes up in just 4.5 seconds. And then because it has 500Nm of torque, keep your foot even halfway down, and it just pulls and pulls . . . .like a jet.
Mechanical highlights of the M256 engine.
What makes it even more turbine-like is that responsiveness or power delivery is relatively laid back . . . also just like a jet . Tap the throttle and it doesn’t exactly jump to attention. Sure performance is very strong, but power builds rather than being delivered in an explosive manner. And that’s because unlike on the AMG’s GLE 53 Coupe or the S Class, this version of the engine doesn’t get a second electric driven turbo.
Known as the eZV system, this electric auxiliary compressor (official name) is responsible for the quick responses on the AMG, S Class and other engines it is installed on. Put your foot down on those cars and a small electric motor spins the smaller turbo instantly. How quick? How’s 70,000 rpm, in just 300 milliseconds or 0.3 of a second. Merc says this F1 derived tech allows engines to be equipped with larger conventional turbos. The E 450 only a 23hp e-boost from the mild hybrid system.
So yeah, drive this 450 after driving a comparatively weak and noisy 200 or 220d and it really does feel like transitioning from piston to turbine power. It even whines like a turbine.
Getting behind the wheel is also pure pleasure. Start up the engine, and the engine just silently comes to life. The reason you don’t hear a conventional starter . . . .it doesn’t have one. What spins the engine is the mild hybrid starter/generator, so E 450 comes awake almost silently.
Also adding to the calm inside the cabin is a suspension setup. . . that helps it ride better than a regular E Class. It’s near silent at speed, body control especially at low speeds is better and there’s no distant pitter patter either. While the earlier E CLass, the V213, powered by a V6 got air suspension, this one feels even more accomplished, even without it.
Adding to the driving pleasure is a quick steering, a cohesive front and rear axle (something the earlier long wheelbase E-Class never really had) and the immense stability a long wheelbase brings. Do miss having rear wheel steering, for added agility, like the E-Class gets elsewhere. And on a winding road, you do feel a slight ‘straightening’ tug from the four wheel drive system when you add power on the exit of a corner.
One thing’s for sure however, the E Class, after skipping a generation, feels fantastic to drive again. Smooth, silent, effortless, fast and with a supple typically Merc ride. Sure the focus of the V214 is the rear seat, but the new six cylinder equipped E is now also thrilling and a bit more rewarding to drive.
While the Mercedes E 450 with a price of Rs 92.5 Lakh costs 14 lakh more than the petrol E 200 and eleven lakhs more than the E 220d, remember it is likely to hold onto its price better, depending on when you sell it. And then you will drive this one more yourself. Miss seeing the Mercedes star on the long bonnet though. And yeah, what’s strange is Mercedes now has an E-Class with a straight six . . . . but the BMW 5 Series doesn’t! Go figure.
Also see:
2025 Mercedes-Benz E 450 video review
