I have always bemoaned the fact that many of today’s cars have fallen prey to becoming pussycats with none of the aural delights which should so accompany their every dab on the throttle, every power shift and such. I think this facet has involuntarily been given the go-by in the case of the E270 CDI because this engine makes itself heard, both within the confines of its super luxurious cabin and also to other road users, especially those who are passed and left for dead on an open stretch of highway. Surely this a car which is involving to drive and rewards the driver with great feedback and provides even more assistance as the loud pedal is pressed closer to the floor.

There are other cars which move pretty lithely off the line but nothing is so intoxicating as this 1665kg thoroughbred sprinting away from rest to 100kmph in 10.26 seconds (zero to 60kmph is accomplished in a terrific 4.33 seconds) while zero to 160kmph (100mph) is achieved in 24.64 seconds. This sort of performance makes many other petrol engined cars appear characteristics of the five inline. I tingle in delight at the prospect of what other E-class diesels, like the E320 CDI and the top of the line E400 CDI can do! So, still need that Ferrari, do you?

Not only is the torque prodigious in its make-up and content but is also finely matched with the five-speed auto ‘box to effect terrific delivery where it matters. Over 205Nm is available at 1000rpm and by 1400rpm this has been whipped up to a phenomenal 350Nm which is near about 80 per cent of the peak torque! At such low down speeds you would have though such figures to be a mirage but it is there and waiting to be unleashed. The peak torque of 425Nm spreads itself out nicely in its upper band and matches the peak power with nary a drop off even when doing 200kmph plus speeds. For the record the E270 CDI did a 216kmph max speed over the course of our tow-way max speed runs which is pretty good in it self but I felt that we could have done better. Maybe we’ll have another opportunity to take this diesel dynamo to the edge of its performance envelope so these figures should suffice till then.

This sort of rocket performance though is only one aspect of its personality because keep it purring along at sensible speeds – 130 to 140kmph – and she is a great automobile going about the task of moving a full load compliment serenely and safely. The power-assisted rack and pinion steering is precise and gives very good feedback at speed though at crawling pace it seems a tad heavy and in certain situations also seems a wee bit slow given the thrust the car is capable of. The brakes are reassuring and the car really needs the bagful of electronic goodies incorporated within (EBD, ABS, TCS etc) to keep her on the straight and the narrow. Our test E270 CDI wore 225/55 R16 Goodyear Eagles and these were more than adequate but under heavy braking they seemed to be slightly squeamish in their behaviour.