Track Tested: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

Edmunds.com tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we present "Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.

No one shed a tear when the CLK reverted back to the E-Class coupe for 2010. The last redesign didn't do the CLK any favors in the styling department, and then along came coupes like the Audi A5 and S5 that made the CLK look even worse.

The E-Class coupe is still not Mercedes' most inspired design, but it's no longer the midrange coupe with the C-Class underpinnings. At least that's what Mercedes says. So it looks the part, but how does it perform? Well, there's no doubt that the V8-powered E550 coupe is a capable coupe. And the V6-powered E350 coupe? You know, the one most people buy?

Turns out, not bad at all. In fact, we would venture to guess that most buyers probably wouldn't bother with the V8 if they seriously considered and drove the E350 first. Find out why in our latest test results from the track.

Vehicle: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe
Odometer: 3,581
Date: September 30, 2009
Driver: Chris Walton
Base price: $48,925
Options on car: Premium Package ($6,350), Appearance Package ($1,950), Premium Leather ($1,350), Palladium Silver paint ($720), TeleAid ($650).
Price as tested: $59,945

Specifications:
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission Type: Seven-speed automatic
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc/cu-in): 3,498cc (213 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 6,800
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 268 @ 6,000
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 258 @ 2,400
Brake Type (front): Ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): Ventilated disc
Steering System: Speed proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): Independent, MacPherson strut
Suspension Type (rear): Independent, multilink
Tire Size (front): P235/40R18 91H
Tire Size (rear): P255/35R18 94H
Tire Brand: Pirelli
Tire Model: PZero Nero
Tire Type: All-season
Wheel Size: 18-by-7.5 inches front -- 18-by-8.5 inches rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): Aluminum alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 3,793

Test Results:
0-30 (sec): 2.7
0-45 (sec): 4.5
0-60 (sec): 6.8
0-75 (sec): 9.7
1/4-Mile (sec @ mph): 14.8 @ 94.6
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.4
30-0 (ft): 31
60-0 (ft): 122
Braking Rating: Good
Slalom (mph): 62.5
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): 0.82
Handling Rating: Average
Db @ Idle: 38.5
Db @ Full Throttle: 67.6
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 58.6

Acceleration Comments: This car would make an excellent bracket racer. With the exception of spinning the tires too much, it makes the same numbers time after time no matter what I do. Nice growl from the exhaust, super-smooth upshifts and quick enough to make anybody question the expense of getting the V8.

Braking Comments: The belt retracts pretty aggressively with an ABS stop -- might freak people out. Just right pedal effort and resistance, steady straight stops with good fade resistance. Solid, though not surprising, performance.

Handling Comments: Skid pad: With ESP on, the throttle closes on the limit of understeer. With ESP off, the steering gets a little lighter as understeer approaches to let you know it's coming, then it's just a matter of riding it around with throttle steering. Good balance. Slalom: Because the ESP is never truly off and inconsistently active, the slalom devolves into a guessing game of "what happens next?" Just when I got comfortable in predicting the car's behavior, it would do something unexpected and far too drastic. At least with ESP on, I expected brake grabbing. Too bad because this car feels at least as capable as the E550 sedan.