On the road

E-Class cabriolet

By Bill McCarthy

The British just love getting their tops off. This is despite a climate that is, or certainly has been, unpredictable.

But it does seem we are getting more sunshine, with fewer, although heavier rainy days.

So cabin times comes around more often. There’s probably two types of enthusiast, those who love the wind in the hair, two seaters, with all the attendant noise and exposure to the elements. Then there’s those who still like the wind in the hair, but also love a bit of comfort, even luxury and Mercedes are really good at that one. Plump for options like Airscarf neck-level heating system and Aircap, which helps to redirect the air flow over the cabin. So there’s fresh without damage to your nether regions.

The E-Class is a fine example, a two-door, four seater with a soft top that has all the bells and whistles you would expect for a car approaching nearly £50k.

Standard kit includes Control suspension; Magic Vision Control wiper system; LED high performance headlights; reversing camera; heated front seats; and ambient lighting with a choice of 64 colours.

There are three three engine versions, including the two litre 194bhp version here.

It looks stunning, with longer wheelbase than previous models, thereby increasing interior room.

A standout vehicle, it has smooth flowing lines with a coupe style silhouette, with or without the roof down, while the large three-pointed star on the diamond grille, flanked by LED headlamps is instantly recognisable.

The interior too, is mightily impressive, even decadent with high quality trim and finish plus high-quality sculpted leather seats and swirled wood effect finish on the dash

The highlight is the two optional high-resolution 12.3-inch displays which merge beneath a shared glass cover to create a widescreen that appears to be floating where all the systems and controls are monitored.

The driver can choose from three different styles for the virtual instruments in the instrument cluster: “classic”, sport” and progressive”.

The whole system takes some working out via the multimedia system and other functions: touch controls in the steering wheel for finger-swipe control, a touchpad that recognises handwriting and the a controller in the centre console, which also performs touchscreen options.

Major functions like air quality, vehicle dynamics, sat nav, infotainment and connectivity are controlled this way.

Between the supportive seats is a wide centre console that is free of handbrake or gear controls. Gear selection is via a dainty little column-shift switch, the parking brake is a switch in the traditional Mercedes position down by your right knee, and the area between the seats is dominated by the solidly-made touchpad for media controls.

Once familiarised, this is intuitive and avoids the sticky-fingerprints-on-screen misery of touchscreen systems. It’s also one of the most pleasing tactile elements of the car, a solid lump of metal with a glassy, clicking surface like a high-end laptop.

A masterpiece of craftsmanship, even if the auto gear change is still on a steering wheel stalk!

But the star of the show has to be the fabric roof, which folds away in just 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds of up to 30mph. The acoustic fabric means that when in situ, the excellent soundproofing means passengers are well insulated from the outside noise of wind, tyres and general traffic noise.

At the press of a button, this system reduces the interior turbulence for the rear passengers, too.

Larger and more luxurious

On the road, the two litre diesel has plenty of grunt, producing 194bhp with an equally impressive 400 Nm of torque, which means power is on tap virtually all the time.

It propels the car to 60mph in just 7.7 seconds, while still delivering a claimed 53.3mpg and emissions of 141g/km. It is a refined power unit with little evidence of diesel clatter, even with the roof down and absent with the roof up.

Go fully auto, or select sport mode with the paddles for a more engaging drive. Handling is pretty good. The sleek shape means there is little wind noise, only the large tyres deliver unwelcome road noise.

It is a large car and the only real downside is manoeuvrability because of the huge doors, and limited rear view. There’s little you can do about the door, except find wide parkings spaces, but parking sensors and the 360 degree view camera, an option on this model, make it fairly painless.

This car also shows cabrios can be practical, with a long boot of 350 litres capacity, which is further enhanced the 50/50 folding rear seat backrests to allow through loading.

The all-new 50:50 folding rear seat backrests create a through-loading feature in the interior, boosting the E-Class Cabriolet’s everyday practicality.Generous centre-cubby storage with a divided, butterfly-door armrest and good sized doorbins provide room for clutter, though the cupholders are worryingly close to some expensive electronics. Standard equipment includes adaptive brake lights and active brake assist, cruise control with speed limiter and attention assist.

The optional Driving Assistance package can significantly reduce fatigue, with class-leading low-speed lane-keeping and adaptive cruise, evasive steering assist and automated overtaking with cruise control and blindspot detection.

Factfile

Mercedes Benz E-Class E220d AMG Line

Price: £45,295

Mechanical: 194bhp, 1,950cc, four-cylinder, diesel-engine driving front wheels via 9-speed tiptonic automatic transmission

Max Speed: 152mph

0-62mph: 7.7 seconds

Combined MPG: 41.5

Insurance Group: 45E

C02 emissions: 139g/km

Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles

Mazda6 Tourer

By Bill McCarthy

The Mazda6 was a ground-breaking car for for the firm when it first appeared in the early part of the century.

The firm had done big saloons, notably the 626, but nothing that was challenging the big boys in the playground like the Mondeo, Passat and Insignia, all significant in the business market.

That quickly changed in 2002 the Mazda6 shook the segment up and the Japanese firm has not rested on its laurels since, with this third generation car still right up there even challenging the more luxury German brands.

In common with many firms, the estate version, or tourer as they like to call it, now challenges the saloon in terms of looks and desirability.

Despite its length, it has a coupe like silhouette with eye-catching alloy wheels It even challenges in the formerly no-go area of sporty performance, notably with this near 200bhp GT Sport model, powered by a feisty 2.5 litre petrol engine.

In addition it features the firm’s most advanced Skyactiv Technology, designed to heighten what they described as ‘Jinba Ittai’, or, car and driver being in harmony, whatever that means.

This latest engine technology certainly delivers a quicker response to throttle demands while steering and handling are further enhanced.

The big estate has always been a bit of a looker and the latest model is no exception, with new grille with redesigned headlights LED running lights, smart new alloy wheels and new rear light clusters.

The interior too, is smart, chic and functional, with plenty of space for five passengers, good head and legroom and decent, if not class leading, stowage capacity.

Inspired by another Japanese theme, Kodo, which it says is produced by finest master craftsmen and designers working with their hands, shaping every line and curve to achieve a level of elegance. It sounds like waffle, but it’s not far off the mark in reality

On the road, the Skyactiv technology delivers, pace, handling and economy in equal measures.

The 190bhp power unit propels the car to 60 mph in just over eight seconds, via the six-speed automatic gearbox.

Fuel economy is helped by stop/start and cylinder deactivation at certain times. It works by controlling valve movement to shut down two of the engine’s four cylinders under light load conditions like constant speed cruising. This delivers an official figure 41.5mpg, a figure, unusually, which I got surprisingly close to, and emissions of 156g/km.

On the road, the tweaked suspensions offers sharp handling, direct steering and a comfortable ride. It should be fun when switching to sport mode and the gearchange paddles.

I did find, however, manual changes hesitant. But sticking to full auto mode still delivers a satisfying drive.

This range-topper has plenty to offer in a fairly premium package, with a fairly premium prices, including, an eight inch touchscreen, which controls major functions, 360-degree parking camera, head-up display and leather upholstery.

The generous standard spec also includes 17-inch alloy wheels, 19-inch on this model, leather upholstery and 19-inch wheels, multi-function leather-wrapped steering wheel, DAB radio with Bluetooth, air-con, cruise control, ESC, six airbags and hill-hold

An optional safety pack includes assisted braking, lane departure assistance, blind spot monitor and attention alert.

Despite the swooping silhouette, interior space is still pretty good with stowage space of 552 litres, expanding to 1,664 with the seats folded. A wide flat loading area opens up, with a low loading sill.

Just the kind of practicality you would expect from an estate, sorry, tourer.