New Merc C class

[RayS]

Has anyone towed with one of these yet and if so, how is it ?

The 2.2 cdi claims to produce more torque and power than the 2.7 cdi in my current ML270 with much lower CO2 and much better mpg, so the estate might be a good tow car. It seems the choice is either 2.2 or 3.o diesels - shame they are not fitting the 280 as the E class - but perhaps it will come along later.

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Ray,

The 3 litre V6 engine fitted to the E-class has no mechanical differences between the E280, E320 and Brabus D6 variants - just a software re-map. And there's not that much difference between the E280 and E320 in terms of driveability - the E280 has a wider and flatter torque curve than the slighlty more "peaky" E320 - and all variants are just stunning.

The difference between the old Euro III 5 cylinder 270 engine and the new Euro IV+ 2.2 4 cylinder is that the torque curve is flatter and wider on the old 270

The better fuel consumption and lower CO2 is pretty much down to the superior aerodynamics of the saloon (or estate) compared to the ML - and not having to turn any extra differentials and axle.

If you look at the CO2 emissions for the C320 (193 gm/km), E320 (195 gm/km) and ML320 (250 gm/km) - the almost identical engine installations (C-class very slightly detuned) poduces "identical" figures for the saloons - and a much higher figure for the ML

I towed with the previous generation C270 CDI and now a E320 CDI - and yes, the V6 is better - but both are pretty impressive towing a caravan with a MTPLM of 1300 kg.

And the new C-class is available as a soloon only at this moment.

Robert