Factory navigation systems might be a popular option on high-end vehicles, but there's no denying that their astronomical price tag and lack of upgrades make them pale in comparison to aftermarket units available at a fraction of the cost. Automakers contend that the integration with the vehicle's systems and the lack of unsightly cords are worth it, but when you consider that the technology was locked in three years ago, the choice is clear. Time to go to Best Buy. Thankfully, Mercedes-Benz and Harman International have recognized the problem and are working on a two-piece solution to solve it. The modular system consists of a screen and a separate control unit mounted in the dash, allowing the system to be upgraded quickly and, more importantly, cheaply. The hidden "processing box" will handle all the heavy lifting, including the GPS, music storage and Bluetooth integration. If the collaboration works, expect the modular sat-nav systems to be available in the second half of 2010 on eight Mercedes-Benz models.
On reasonably smooth surfaces, occupants of an E550 Luxury sedan can barely discern bumps and other road imperfections. Even when a jolt occurs, it's stifled virtually instantly, transmitting minimal annoyance to the interior. Mercedes-Benz offers U.S. buyers a choice of two engines, both available in either Luxury or Sport trim level. In E550 sedans, a 5.5-liter V-8 again develops 382 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, driving a seven-speed automatic transmission. E350 sedans contain a 3.5-liter V-6, still rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet. Estimated fuel economy is 18/25 miles per gallon (city/highway) for V-6 models, and 16/23 mpg for E550 sedans. Mercedes-Benz's transmission can skip as many as three gear ratios when downshifting, depending on the situation. A Hold function prevents "creep" at stoplights. Instead of coil springs, an Airmatic air suspension is installed on all V-8 sedans. Transmission downshifts with the V-8 engine are not only impressively smooth, they happen promptly. Gear changes are hardly discernible.
Expect assertive, refined acceleration at any speed. On certain surfaces, one Luxury sedan experienced slight steering-wheel vibration; other models felt fine. Luxury-sedan steering feels too light and slow-responding to suit some drivers, so that sedan doesn't feel wholly comfortable on curves, or even some straight-aways. Shoppers who favor the most confident control might prefer a Sport V-8, which sticks to the pavement with greater tenacity. Steering feels a tad tauter, more in accord with directional changes. As expected, response is more ordinary in a V-6 model: sufficiently strong, but lacking the V-8's finesse. Still, the V-8 commands a hefty extra cost. In any version, seats keep you neatly in place. Front space is ample all around, though headroom could be a tad higher. The center controller knob isn't easy to make out, but must be studied. 4,600 lower than the equivalent 2009 model. 2,500 if you want 4Matic all-wheel drive. All-wheel drive sedans go on sale in September, followed in November by the superstar 518-horsepower E63 AMG sedan. Mercedes-Benz also intends to introduce a BlueTec diesel sedan next spring.
Q: Do you take all these photos yourself? A: Yes. There may be a few instances where I may borrow a photo from the Internet to use in a post, but that doesn't occur very often. Q: Do you publish every photo you take? A: No. It is up to me to decide what photos I would like to publish. Q: Where do you take most of your pictures? A: If you didn't know already, I am from California, so I take most of my pictures there. I will also feature photos from out-of-state and out-of-country trips I have taken or plan on taking. Q: What do you use to take your pictures with? A: I mainly use my phone to take pictures, which is an iPhone 6. I also have a Canon Eos Rebel T3, which is one of those fancier cameras. I don't use it that much, but I will eventually use it more often, once I can get a taller lens for it. Q: What is your favorite car(s)? A: My least favorite car brands include Citroen, Peugeot, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Fiat, Volkswagen, Kia, Renault, Dacia, Nissan, Lincoln, Isuzu, and Scion.
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