RPMGO.com (former Auto Unleashed)

Posted: 05 Aug 2009 10:14 AM PDT

It looks like the summer is one of the most crowded seasons with test drives, because we had and will have the chance to have a lot of fun in all kind of cars. So here’s what we did and will do soon:

- We have really, really great news, because we reached an important milestone in our history: our first long-term test. We’re really excited about this and I’ll tell you more details next week.

- I didn’t have any spare time recently, but soon I’ll post the full impressions about the Mercedes E Coupe I drove about two months ago;

- Three weeks ago we drove the facelifted BMW 320d xDrive Touring. Good car, for what it’s suppose to do, but not that fun;

- This weekend I drove the facelifted BMW 330d xDrive (pictured above) and I took it for a ride to the mountains and oh boy, it was really, really fun;

- Next week, we’re gonna drive the new MINI Cooper S Cabrio for a few days and even though I haven’t been the biggest MINI fan, I’m really expecting a thrilling experience;

- At the special Citroen event we attended two weeks ago, we took the new Citroen C3 Picasso for a short spin and soon we’ll take it for a few days and see what it can do;

- We’re also currently talking with the guys from Jaguar and soon we might take the XF for a test drive. I’m really excited about this, because, as I said it a lot in the past, it’s one of my favorite brands and I hope the car won’t dissapoint me.

We also have some other things planned, but so far nothing’s sure, so I’ll let you know once everything’s settled.

Post published on Rpmgo.com

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2010 Mercedes Benz E Class Estate officially unveiled

Posted: 05 Aug 2009 09:28 AM PDT

With more than 40,000 units sold since its debut ealier this year, the new Mercedes Benz E Class is one of company’s current best selling vehicles and, as expected, the range just got bigger, Mercedes announcing today the new E Class Estate, which is scheduled to go on sale in November.

And since the most important features of a wagon are the practical ones (maybe except for the Audi RS6 Avant), Mercedes made sure the E Estate buyers will make full use of their cars. One particularly special feature of the load compartment management system is the option of opening the standard-fit EASY-PACK tailgate automatically by using the ignition key or pressing the handle if the car needs to be loaded from behind. The “quickfold” system enables the rear seat backrests to be folded down from the load compartment and neither the head restraints nor the rear-seat cushions need to be adjusted beforehand in order to be able to do this. The two backrest sections are unlocked and folded down by a cable pull, creating a level loading surface. As another useful feature, either the left or right backrest sections, or both together, can be folded down. This enables the rear seat unit to be used by passengers even when long and bulky items are being carried. The backrest sections can also be unlocked and folded down from the side.

And considering wagons are mainly used as family cars, the German car maker fitted the new E Class Estate with a lot of safety features meant to protect all the car’s passengers. There are around one dozen new or modified driver assistance systems, including Attention Assist drowsiness detection system, Distronic Plus proximity control and Pre-Safe Brake, which initiates partial and full emergency braking autonomously. Also, there are nine airbags fitted as standard, four belt tensioners and belt force limiters and Neck-Pro crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and the front passenger.

When it will make its debut in Europe, the new Mercedes Benz E Class Estate will be offered with five engines, delivering between 168 hp (the E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY) and 382 hp (the E500), with five more engines coming in the first quarter of 2010. Out of the initial five choices, one of the most attractive is the E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, which delivers 150 kw (201 hp), peak torque of 500 Nm and has a fuel consumption of 5.7 liters/100 km (41.2 US mpg) and 150 g/km CO2 emissions. For full specs of the new E Class Estate, check out the official Mercedes press release.

Full Photo Gallery: 2010 Mercedes Benz E Class Estate