I recently was invited to attend both a dinner hosted by Mercedes-Benz and a luncheon hosted by Jaguar. Both were looking to announce some new products and give local journalists a chance at seeing them in action. Mercedes brought their new diesel powered ML 350s and an R 350, both beautiful and stunningly quiet. Our walkaround came at dusk and so apologies for the dark images.
The third-generation CDI brought several improvements over the non-diesel counterparts as well as its previous generation motor. Everyone couldn’t help but comment on how remarkably quiet the motor was, and how smooth the engine revved from idle on up. High marks to the German engineers who’ve improved upon a great engine. Another striking improvement was in fuel economy. Boasting an average 5 mpg rating above its gasoline counterparts (21-27 diesel vs. 17-21 gasoline), it still managed at delivering a 0-60 sprint in under 8 seconds. Not bad…
As for the Jaguar event, one of only two XKRs in the U.S. showed up and gave everybody a chance at one of the more beautiful and thrilling cars from England in a jolly well long time. They had four XKs and one XKR for short trips around the neighboring freeways and backroads, and everybody made out with several runs each. The cars handled as beautifully as it looked, and when driving the XKR, it provided a serious thrill with its 420 hp, up 120 from the regular XK. Both are stunning to look at, and while driving, exude absolute confidence.
Album: 2006-MB-CDIs-Jaguar-XKR-Event
