On a more serious note, the tractability of the motor came through again as I started attacking the corners. I have driven a short, stubby and potent Mercedes SLK on the same road and I can tell you that I had similar confidence levels with this one - and that is saying quite a lot.
The big difference though is in the feedback on offer - rather, the lack of it. There is quantifiable proof that Mercedes has gone back to its roots and has quarantined the driver from minor irritants such as laws of physics.
So you approach a sharp right hander carrying speeds you shouldn't and the car responds by staying neutral through the corner and sticks to the lane as if nothing happened. It is not that the car is not agile - it certainly is when it almost always ends up carrying more speed out of any given corner.
Sure, Airmatic suspension and adaptive damping system is the way to go, but I like my cars with a bit of pitch and body roll. At least that makes one feel like driving an automobile. Mercedes says body movement under hard driving conditions has been reduced by 60 per cent over the last car. Yawn.
Therein lies the fact. I am not the customer for this, in all probability, the best all-round luxury car I have ever driven. This car pampers its occupants (don’t let me start on how good the Comand module is over iDrive), ensures safe transportation and still helps the world stay cool by stretching hydrocarbon reserves that it consumes to an eternity.
Some of you are contemplating buying a luxury car. It is not as sporty or as involving to drive as the competition, but heads still turn and yours will be held high as you arrive in an oxymoron - a politically correct luxury car!
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