Motoring

Above & Beyond

[octo_custom_heading text=”The Mercedes-Benz E-Class 350d All-Terrain offers a near-perfect
blend of power and agility – and oodles of luxury to boot, writes Anthony ffrench-Constant” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”By Anthony ffrench-Constant
” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%230a0a0a” use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_single_image image=”103859″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][octo_custom_heading text=”If a year is a long time in politics, one can’t help wondering what 18 years constitutes in the automotive industry… Because that’s how long it has taken for Mercedes-Benz to finally flap this E-Class All-Terrain gauntlet in the face of the Audi A6 allroad; the latter itself unchallenged in this arena until Volvo recognised the SUV-challenging potential of the genre with its V90 Cross Country.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”Mercedes’ having chosen to accept – and yet to complete – the mission improbable of producing a range of no less than 37 different SUV models, the company might justifiably argue that it’s been a tad too busy to pay overmuch heed to the fact that premium competition in this classy little niche remains remarkably thin on the ground.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”So why, suddenly, now? Well, the news that this All-Terrain variant only boasts a meagre five percent difference in parts from its standard all-wheel drive E-Class estate sibling immediately makes it eminently more feasible as a project with which to keep Mercedes’ engineers busy in their spare time.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”With the standard E-Class estate only available in the UK mated to a 2.0 litre, 192bhp turbodiesel, the All-Terrain represents salvation for those who wish to enjoy V6 diesel power and all-wheel drive installed in a slightly taller shooting brake. Actually, the All-Terrain goes on sale with that choice of engine alone, at an estimated cost of £50-55,000. It will be offered in just one high-specification trim level – somewhat akin to an AMG Line model – with ninespeed automatic transmission, adjustable air suspension and 4MATIC permanent four-wheel drive fitted as standard.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_single_image image=”103852″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][octo_custom_heading text=”Luxury as standard: the All-Terrain is offered in just one high-spec variant, akin to an AMG Line mode” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:14|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”A deal of that five percent appears to have been lavished on the off-road appliqué which hallmarks the All-Terrain’s outward bound credentials. A ride height increased by 29mm (some of which may be attributed to larger wheels and tyres, and some to revised suspension) is accompanied by redesigned front and rear bumpers, the faintest whiff of plastic petticoats and standard fit 19” alloys.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”The front is most visibly changed, with a chunkier twin louvre-style upper grille treatment and a less visually satisfactory, somewhat haphazard-looking lower grille surround above a faux underguard panel. On board, all is high-end E-Class, which equates to superb build quality allied to a few potentially dodgy trim finishes; pinstripe piano black, anyone?” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_single_image image=”103853″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][octo_custom_heading text=”The All-Terrain’s 3.0 litre V6 turbodiesel generates 254bhp and a handsome 457lb ft of torque. This is distributed to all four wheels via a 9-speed automatic transmission, the differential – mounted adjacent to the gearbox rather than expensively integrated – distributing power between front and rear axles with a 31:69 split. Interestingly, the front-to-rear split on left-hand drive specimens is 45:55, suggesting further boxes marked ‘savings’ were ticked during the conversion to right-hand drive.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”Mercedes’ engineers tell us that the ratio of torque split between front and rear axles is only adjustable to the tune of some 8%. Not that – during both on- and off-road driving – we noticed.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”On road, the car marries a quiet cabin and a largely exceptional ride (air suspension can never seem to quash a certain nuggetiness) with light, accurate and over-inert steering and a fair quota of well-controlled body roll.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_single_image image=”103854″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][octo_custom_heading text=”At the time we drove it, the All-Terrain had yet to be homologated, so no performance figures were available, but we reckon 0-62mph is seen of in something under seven seconds. The powertrain juggles between the wealth of gear ratios with the expected seamless fluidity, but you’ll need to engage Sport mode in the Drive Select system to realise the pace promised by the engine output figures. At which point proceedings become a tad more raucous and less refined. High speed cruising is the All-Terrain’s true metier, then, and its capacity to deliver unflustered pace suggests it’ll dismiss entire continents with effortless insouciance.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”Off road, the selectable All-Terrain driving programme automatically raises ride height by 20mm. The highest suspension setting gives a total ground clearance of 156mm, which proves enough for the car to acquit itself with considerable aplomb on rocky forest tracks that would, at best, seriously tenderise the underside of conventional cars.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_single_image image=”103855″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][octo_custom_heading text=”Its allocated ground clearance and approach, departure and breakover angles somewhat shackle its abilities as a genuine off-road adventurer, but on rutted tracks, snow and wet gymkhana grass, it’s no more likely to let you down that any all-wheel drive SUV.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”][octo_custom_heading text=”Comfortable, classy and – when it comes to semi-autonomous driving – a little too clever for its own good, the E-Class All-Terrain makes a very respectable fist indeed of disguising how little it actually differs at heart from the standard estate.” font_container=”tag:p|font_size:16|text_align:left|color:%23353535″ use_theme_fonts=”yes”]