We’ve liked the new E-Class since we drove one last fall.  Completely redesigned for 2010, the E-Class body sports an elegant, sleek look that marks a major departure from the exterior design of previous models while still embodying classic Mercedes styling.

Outfitted with a V-6 3.0-liter 72° engine, the E350 BlueTec’s powertrain is slightly smaller than the petrol version’s 3.5-liter V-6, but it packs a wallop. While the engine produces only 210 hp, it develops a remarkable 400 pound-feet of torque between 1,600 and 2,400 rpm, compared to the petrol version’s 258 pound-feet between 2,400 and 5,000 rpm. That brings the car from zero to 60 mph (zero to 96 km/h) in 6.7 seconds (versus 6.6 seconds for the petrol version).

The E350 is a 50-state diesel, meaning it meets emissions requirements in all 50 states. To meet the more stringent emissions requirements in some regions, the pollution control system injects AdBlue (urea) into the exhaust, rendering Nox harmless. This rather complex exhaust system puts an extra 200+ pounds (90+ kg) on the diesel, but despite the added heft the E350 BlueTec gets 30% better fuel economy than its petrol equivalent. It is rated at 22 mpg (10.7 l/100 km) in city driving and 33 mpg (7.1 l/100 km) on the highway.

We test drove the E350 from New York to Boston last fall, averaging 34.5 mpg (6.8 l/100 km) at an average speed of 67.7 mph (109 km/hour).

Our E350 comes well-equipped with a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, rear view camera, 12-speaker Logic7 Surround Sound system with Bluetooth interface, HD and Sirius radio and iPod connectivity, 17” aluminum sport package wheels, Comand GPS navigation system with voice control and real-time traffic data. Other features include Bi-Xenon headlamps, Parktronic parking guidance, Drive-Dynamic multicontour driver seat with active cornering support and massage, LED daytime running lamps, leather upholstery, and Burl Walnut trim. The Driver Assistance Package includes Distronic Plus with Pre-Safe Braking, Active Blind Spot Assist, and Active Lane Keeping Assist. The Mercedes-Benz E350 BlueTec has a base price of $51,175. Compared to the petrol E350, the additional cost of the diesel is only $1700.

TDD editors Jonathan Spira and Christian Stampfer picked up our E350 at the Mercedes-Benz Kundencenter that is adjacent to the automaker’s Sindelfingen, Germany plant near Stuttgart, taking advantage of the carmaker’s European Delivery program. As part of this program, Mercedes-Benz offers a number of incentives and perks, including a 7% discount off MSRP, one night’s lodging at a choice of luxury hotels, free insurance for 15 days, and waiver of destination and delivery charges.

From Stuttgart,  our editors will drive to Maastricht in the Netherlands, then Cologne (Köln) in Germany, then Arnhem in the Netherlands, and then Bremen and Bremerhaven, which is the port city in Germany from which the E350 will embark on its trip to the United States.

Sélestat is home to nearly 20.000 inhabitants and offers its visitors a number of cultural sightseeing opportunities. Sélestat’s most important cultural treasure is the Humanist Library (Bibliothèque Humaniste), which dates back to the year 1441. It contains a collection of books and prints, ranging from the 15th to the 18th century.

In the course of its eventful history, Sélestat, as well as the entire Alsace-Lorraine area, was ruled multiple times by France as well as by the Holy Roman Empire.. My drive to Sélestat, along with TDD Editor Jonathan Spira, was also my first visit to France.

My journey with the BMW 520d sedan had started in Munich.  I had driven to Frankfurt to pick up Jonathan and we first stopped in Eltville, where we stayed for two nights at the Kempinski Schloß Reinhartshausen.  From Eltville, the drive to Sélestat was 266 km (165.2 miles).

The interchange of the Rhein-Main-Schnellweg (another name for the Autobahn A66) was very close to Eltville, so we were almost immediately on the Autobahn. Jonathan was driving and enjoying the light traffic and absence of a speed limit.  We soon switched onto the A643 and the A60. We only stayed on these three sections for a few minutes and then continued our drive at the Kreuz Mainz-Süd (Mainz South interchange) via the A63 towards Sélestat, heading in a south-westerly direction.

The A63 is practically brand new. The last section, connecting the Saarland with France, was finished in October 2004. After a drive of 32 km (20 miles) on the A63, we changed to the A61. Via the A61 we passed Mannheim to the east and at Kreuz Mutterstadt we reached our last route section. The A65 would take us on a drive of 60 km (37.2 miles) towards the Bundesstraße 9. The B9 dates back to roman times and was used as one of the main roads in the western part of Germany in Roman Empire times.

The last 10 km (6.2 miles) of the B9 took us to the French border near Lauterbourg mid afternoon. At that point, the BMW 520d was using 7.7 l/100 km (30.55 mpg) after a drive of 152 km (94.4 miles). Since, except for the very beginning, our maximum speed was limited most of the time to 120 km/h (every Autobahn had two lanes + emergency lane), we only achieved an average speed of 127.2 km/h (79 mph).

Click here to continue to Page 2 – Driving the Alsace Highway and Virtual Drives