Our Fleet Test Drive: Mercedes E-class - 10th Report
Date:
02 July 2010
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Author:
Attention assist
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Category: | Executive | P11D price: | £32,545 | Key rival: | BMW 5-series | |
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I'm both impressed and eating a fair portion of humble pie about the E-Class's Attention Assist system.
It's designed to detect drowsiness, and uses sensors monitoring 70 parameters including steering, accelerator and brake inputs, time of day, weather and time behind the wheel without a break.
I've been a bit cynical about systems like this, especially after one long drive when I felt it should have kicked in before I took a break. However, a recent late-night trip to Yorkshire set it off after I considered a stop unnecessary because I was feeling alert. A cacophony of visual and aural signs soon prompted a reassessment that led to me swapping driving duties with the better half.
Most drivers have been in that situation, and will be inclined to just trust their own judgement and the devil whispering in their ear, but having an automated angel perched on the other shoulder could make all the difference and head-off fatigue-related accidents.
Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI Avantgarde manual | Mileage | 9984 | Claimed combined consumption | 53.3mpg | Our average consumption | 39.0mpg
| P11D price | £32,545 | Model price range | £27,570-£73,855 | CO2 (tax) | 142g/km (20%) | BIK 20/40% per month | £108/£217 | Service interval | variable mls | Insurance | group 38 | Warranty | 3yrs/unlimited mls | Boot space | 540 litres | Engine size/power | 2143cc/204PS | Top speed/0-62mph | 149mph/7.7secs | Why we’re running it | To see if it can take on the excellence of BMW and Jaguar in this sector | Positive | Comfort, quality, standard features | Negative | Manual gearbox |
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