Mercedes Benz E350 BlueEfficiency

Blue Efficiency is a term coined by Mercedes to encompass a number of small steps that improve overall efficiency. Aerodynamic drag, weight and rolling resistance are reduced, the car’s underbody is closed and power steering pump works only on demand. It’s also the world’s slipperiest saloon with a drag coefficient of just 0.25. The largest impact however is made by the new electro-pneumatically controlled shutters behind the grille. They close when direct airflow-based cooling is not required, reducing the car’s total drag by as much as 10 percent.

The overall build of the new E reminds us of the way Mercs were built a decade ago, with no compromise when it comes to build strength or solid engineering. The fresh styling with those crystal-cut headlamps and the sharp cuts along the body are fresh and modern and the new E sets new standards for refinement in this class. Even more impressive is the manner in which you step into the car, thunk the doors shut and leave the noisy world behind. It’s like you’ve put on a set of ear muffs.