NZ Herald Car of the Year: E-Class Mercedes

Motoring Editor ALASTAIR SLOANE picks his top cars of the year.

The new E-Class Mercedes-Benz is the New Zealand Herald's Car of the Year for 2002. It wins not only because it is such a complete car, but it is more affordable, safer, and bristles with ground-breaking technology that will eventually trickle down into middle-of-the-road models.

It also spearheads a plan by the German carmaker to produce a raft of new models over the next six years chock-a-block with safety-aid technology, including night vision, electronic steering and pedestrian-detection radar.

"No other model reflects the basic values of our brand as clearly as the new E-Class: safety, comfort, innovative engineering and individuality," said Mercedes-Benz board chairman Jurgen Hubbert.

The car went on sale in New Zealand in August carrying Classic, Elegance and Avantgarde badges and specifications, V6 and V8 engines, and priced between $99,900 and $169,500.

Standard and optional technology includes:

* Sensotronic electronic brakes, which send braking commands to a computer which monitors grip and suspension loads to determine optimum braking pressures at each wheel. Hydraulics take over if the electronics fail. The system provides smoother stops and shorter stopping distances. It even brakes gently to dry discs it senses are wet.

* Airmatic electronic suspension, which automatically alters damper and spring rates to match road conditions.

* Distronic, a radar system which works with cruise control and keeps the E-Class at a pre-set distance from the car in front. The bee's knees on Auckland's motorways.

* Solar panels in the panoramic glass roof which power fans to cool the cabin when the car is parked in the sun.

* A rollover sensor which applies the brakes and cuts engine revs once it detects the careless driver is about to turn the car on its ear.

Martyn Dawson, general manager of Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in New Zealand, said he was thrilled with the award. "It will further increase customer interest in the new E-Class," he said. "This sedan redefines the standards in the automotive luxury class and assumes an exemplary position in all major engineering disciplines."

Dawson said demand for the entry-level E240 especially was overwhelming.

"We aren't going to be able to satisfy demand for the car until next year."

Best of the rest that arrived in the past 12 months, in no particular order:

Nissan Primera: Overall design points to new era of Nissan styling, even more obvious in the all-new Maxima next year. Primera has a clever interior and is roomier, more efficient, more refined, more powerful. Powered by a 2-litre four-cylinder engine producing 110kW at 6000 rpm and 200Nm of torque at 4000 rpm and mated to a continuously variable transmission called, in Nissan-speak, Hyper CVT. Primera wagon has a moulded lift-out shelf for wet clothes under the flat rear floor. Sedan costs $39,995, wagon $40,995.

Subaru Forester: Second-generation all-wheel-drive model is quieter, lighter, stronger and more powerful than its 2-litre predecessor, thanks to a 112kW/223Nm 2.5-litre engine. Has more head and shoulder room and the view from the driver's seat is much better, too. Lower centre of gravity and front and rear stabilisers have helped to reduce body roll in corners. Its long-travel suspension is as good as it gets. Three models are available - the standard Forester at $37,990 (manual) and $39,990 (automatic), the XS at $42,990 and $44,990 and the automatic-only XS Ltd at $48,990.

Saab 9-3: Quiet and comfortable with good ride and handling, good interior room and plenty of boot space. Clever touch: convenient levers in the boot that drop down the rear seats to aid loading. Typical Saab interior touches remain, but the quirkiness of things like its aircraft-influenced cockpit has been softened. There are three four-cylinder 2-litre engines, delivering 110kW/240Nm, 129kW/265Nm and 154kW/300Nm and mated to either six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearboxes. The Arc and Vector cost $66,900/$70,000 and $70,900/$74,000.

Honda Jazz: Big seller under Honda New Zealand's new "price promise" philosophy, or no more discounts. Value-for-money component is outstanding. Best feature is its packaging, with a rear seat system that folds every which way to accommodate more than 1300 litres of luggage. The 1.3-litre engine produces 61kW at 5700 rpm and 119Nm of torque at 2600 rpm. Ride isn't the best in class but handling is predictable. Two models are available - a five-speed manual costing $20,500 and a CVT unit at $22,500.

Toyota Camry: Voted most washable car in America. Also most popular with thieves last year. Bigger overall than outgoing model, quieter, stronger, better built, with an improved handling/ride mix. New 112kW/218Nm 2.4-litre engine is a reworked variable valve unit from the Previa. Six-cylinder models use a 145kW/284Nm version of the carried-over 3-litre V6. There is more interior room front and back, more equipment and new names. The Altise replaces the entry-level GL, Ateva the mid-range GX and Azura the premium GLX. Prices range from $37,250 to $56,600.

Volkswagen Polo: Name comes from the Latin "polus", meaning "pivot" or "axis", as in the north and south poles. The new Polo was released here in a week when much of the country was in the grip of Polar-like weather. VW warmed to the coincidence. It is bigger and stronger than the car it replaces and sits on a longer wheelbase. The 1.4-litre four-cylinder engine produces 55kW and 126Nm of torque and is coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox. The Polo's Body carries a 12-year warranty against rust. Polo costs $25,990.

Mazda6: Huge improvement over the outgoing 626. Blends good ride with sharp handling, smart interior and eye-catching, user-friendly instrumentation. Comes with a choice of two four-cylinder engines of 2-litre and 2.3-litre capacity, mated to either a five-speed manual, four-speed automatic, or four-speed automatic with manual override. The 2-litre develops 104kW at 6000rpm and 181Nm of torque at 4100rpm. The 2.3-litre unit produces 122kW at 6500rpm and 207Nm at 4000rpm. Safety and standard equipment among best in class. Priced between $36,995 and $47,545.

BMW 7-Series: Designer Chris Bangle shouldered much criticism for abandoning the traditional wedge shape of BMWs. Get used to the new 7-Series looks, he said. It's where BMW is going. Criticism of the car's exterior styling is starting to soften. Not so with its computer-controlled and complex iDrive operating system. Great ride, superb handling (considering its size), classy interior. Powered by a 4.4-litre V8 producing 245kW at 6100 rpm and 450Nm of torque and mated to a six-speed automatic ZF transmission. Costs $208,900.

Peugeot 307: Responsible for much of Peugeot's sales success over the past 12 months. Ride/handling mix has all the traditional Peugeot strengths but the car itself is radically different than anything it has done before. The 1.6-litre produces 80kW at 5750 rpm and 147Nm of torque at 3900 rpm and the 2-litre 100kW at 6000 rpm and 190Nm at 4100 rpm. The hybrid hatchback/people mover has been joined by the SW, or station wagon. Next year the coupe/convertible arrives. Priced between $31,990 and $41,990.

Toyota Prado: Only been on sale a month but already following in the shoes of its predecessor, the country's best-selling 4WD over the past few years. Badged RV and VX and is powered by choice of 96kW/343Nm 3-litre turbo-diesel engine or 179kW/376Nm 4-litre V6 petrol unit. Longer, stronger, wider, but not quite as tall. Hugely refined and capable on and off-road. Priced between $66,500 and $78,000.