Price as tested
STS 420
eo price
576,800
© Eype
2 deot, +} passenger coupe
© layout
tonettudinial
roar wheel drive
© Engine
2960 co ineline 6 cylinder,
DOHC (variable timing), 24
valve. Bosch RE vlectro-
mechanical fuel injection
© Horsepower
217 @ 6400 rpm
© “Forque
195 Ibs-f1 Ge 4606 rpm
© Transinission
4 speed automittic
© ‘Tires
198/65 K-15 Pirelli POG
© Curb weight
1590 ke, 3505 Ibs.
@ Wheelbase
2718 ma 106.9 in.
© Length
4670 inm/ E83.9 in.
° Width
E740 mm/68.5 in.
© Heiuit
1395 mm/54.9 in,
© Trunk space
FIO E/E cultt.
© Fuel economy
City 13.8 L/ 106 km: 20 mpg.
Hwy 9.4.L/ 100 kin; 30 mpg.
© Warranty
Basic 4 yr/8G,.000 kin

frent engine’

A

Friday, April 19, 1991 ~ North Shore News - 27

Mercedes-Benz 300CE coupe

46 Despite its power, it is almost impossible
to get the 300CE to do anything undignified.
The hefty’ weight of the coupe, combined
with a superb independent suspension, gives
the 300CE a solid, stable, vet fluid ride.
reminiscent of much larger cars. 99

THE CURRE

Poo generation of
Mercedes-Benz 300° class
automobiles was introduced in
F986 and remains one of the finest

and omost expensive range of
mid-sized automobiles in the
world. Four models share ithe

300's four-door sedan bods style.
the 3OOE 2.6, 300D 2.5) Turbo.
300E, and 300E 4Mftatic (there's
alse a@ 300TE station wagon),

The sedan’s styling, in my opi-
nion, i a@ wee bit conservative,

but the two -door 300CE coupe

adds sivle and exclusivity to this
very fine automobile,

Viewed from the front and
back, the 300CKE looks virtually
identical to the 300K. [ts profile,
however, reveals a sleeker,
pillarless roofline. The doars are
longer to facilitate entrance to the
Tear seats, and the large, steeply-
raked rear window merges hand-
somely wilh a characteristically-
high Mercedes rear deck lid.

Though more attractive, the
coupe is not quite as practical as
the sedan. The 300C’E seats four
Passenvers instead of five. fndi-
vidual rear seats are split by a
handsome, walnut-covered divider
and storage bin. In addition, the
coupe is SS mm shorter and 36
mn lower than the sedan, su some
rear seat legroom has been sari-
ficed. It can new be described as
cosy instead of generous

The most important difference
berween the 260Ch coupe and the
300b sedan is the powerplant The

wr

door coupe has a 217 nhorse-
power.
cline six cykhader engine bor-
rowed
car.
tour-seater
Standard leather
walout trim
bag
ghe:

three frete. single overhead sam
tied cas ovhinder emetic: fas 217

i

Slightly shorter and lower than \
the 300& sedan. the |
Mercedes-Genz 300CE two- :

dual overheag cam itn-
the 300Si sports
stylish, pillarless
coune afters:
interna; Was
ter

tt

trom
The

ep THIVE Ss

rel sia

tre tance

TEST DRIVE

horsepower. Vhis is) the saine
engine used in the 300ST sports
cer. with siighthy less horsepower.
Vhe 30Ch needs a considerable
ameunt oat muscle beenuse it
wophs alujoast T6000 kilowrams
(780% thsi, GS kilograms more
thar the sodae. quite heavy for ¢
: ste. Perbore
SW Er rrp wath
wy “oY

Peed os 2s

pTEIn

ree Pet bar nota de

1 .
totatt