Usually, when you're the new kid on the block against current generation competition, the chances are good you will come out on top, seeing you have the advantage of newer generation technologies.
But unfortunately for Mercedes-Benz, that was NOT the case in the latest issue of Car & Driver when they compared 5 cars at $50k.
The ranking went like this:
1. Audi A6
2. BMW 535
3. Infiniti M45
4. Jaguar XF
5. 2010 E350
I love this quote about the new E...
"It felt numb, vague and heavy at all speeds, supplying slim information"
May I be so forward to ask when HASN'T a Mercedes-Benz felt numb, vague and heavy?
Isn't THAT their signature and the ATTRACTION to a lot of customers?
Feels like you're driving a bank vault and a lot of people LIKE that.
The other thing that we have reported suspicious about most of the 'in the tank' auto press is...notice how after RAVE reviews of the Jag, all of a sudden it's in second last place and gets quotes like this:
"In the hills however, the Jaguar's reflexes proved less cat-like than we'd hoped. Although steering is informative, the Jag's body motions weren't well controlled."
We would like to know how it went from the BMW 550 beater, to one slot away from the cellar, BELOW a 535?
Could it be...That REAL expensive junket they were all taken on that clouded their minds and now that the memory has worn off, the TRUTH comes out?
I certainly would not have ranked the cars this way...
My ranking would have been:
1. BMW 535
2. 2010 E350
3. Audi A6
4. Jaguar XF
5. Infiniti M45
Tell us in your opinion, how you would rank these cars.
2009 Frankfurt Auto Show Photo Gallery