Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI: One flaw short of fantastic

Because of scheduling problems here at the Mercedes-Benz mothership, the only E-class I could wrangle was a E250 CDI, with a sewing-machine smooth 2.2-liter turbodiesel under the hood, one of a suite of diesel engines M-B has branded "BlueEfficiency." And not without cause. The E250 CDI is an astonishing piece of machinery that gets about 44 mpg while generating -- get this -- 369 pound-feet of torque at 1,600 rpm. Rommel had whole mechanized divisions that didn't have that kind of torque. It's crazy.

So, yes, while 8 seconds to 60 mph doesn't sound that fast, leverage that factoid against 2.2 liters of displacement, 44 mpg and a curb weight of 3,817 pounds. The car absolutely scampers down country roads, quite fast enough to exercise the seriously improved driving dynamics. The E250 has only 16-inch wheels with all-season radials wrapped around them, and yet the car had plenty of cornering bite and drama-free road holding, excellent steering feel and a tight, snubbed-down ride.

A year ago, I'd have bet anything M-B would not bring an E250 CDI to the States. Today, I'm cautiously optimistic. If this is the shape of automobiles to come, with smaller and more fuel-efficient engines supplanting snot-fire V8s, well, I'm down with it.

The E-class has otherwise been pretty ferociously squeezed for every watt of juice. The fuel pump and the power steering pump now vary their outputs depending on demand. The radiator fan housing has active vanes that can close, thereby making the car a touch more aero-efficient. The new body style returns a coefficient of drag of 0.25, which I believe is the best in class. As for the body styling, well, the wind may love it, but I'm less enthralled. It's very proper and Swabian and gloriously unartistic. Still, it's good to have the old Mercedes mirthlessness back.

What's the tragic flaw in our hero? Geez, of all things, the interior materials. Ugh. Especially in the "Elegance" package (the other upgrade package is Avant Garde, which looks more promising) the burred walnut wood looks like something out of a Happy Meal. There are some nice touches -- the optional wraparound ambient cabin lighting, for instance. But honestly, if you gave me this car, I'd glue orange shag carpet on the dash like in my friend's old surf van before I rode around looking at that hot sweet mess.

As they say in 12-step programs: progress, not perfection.

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dan.neil@latimes.com

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BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX

2010 Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI BlueEfficiency

Base price: $48,000 (est.)

Price as tested: $60,000 (est.)

Powertrain: 2.2-liter four-cylinder turbocharged common-rail diesel engine; six-speed manual transmission; rear-wheel drive

Horsepower: 204 at 4,200 rpm

Torque: 368 pound-feet at 1,600-1,800 rpm

Curb weight: 3,817 pounds

Wheelbase: 113.1 inches

Overall length: 191.6 inches

0-60 mph: 8 seconds

EPA fuel economy: 44 miles per gallon city/highway combined (est.)

Final thoughts: A Three Pointed Star, but somebody call wardrobe

Source: Mercedes-Benz