[Source: egmcartech via GermanCarForum]

£37,985 Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro S-line
Engine: 24v 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 2967cc
Maximum power: 237bhp @4400-4700rpm
Maximum torque: 500Nm @1500-3000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, AWD
Weight: 1760kg
0-60: 6.6 seconds
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)

Average fuel economy: 42.2mpg
Carbon dioxide emissions: 179g/km

£42,605 BMW 535d M Sport
Engine: 24v 3.0-litre I6 twin-turbodiesel, 2993cc
Maximum power: 286bhp @4400rpm
Maximum torque: 580Nm @1750-2250rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual, RWD
Weight: 1735kg
0-60: 6.4 seconds
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)

Average fuel economy: 42.2mpg
Carbon dioxide emissions: 178g/km

£43,455 Jaguar XF Diesel S Portfolio
Engine: 24-valve 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbodiesel, 2993cc
Maximum power: 275bhp @4000rpm
Maximum torque: 600Nm @2000rpm
Transmission: JaguarDrive 6-speed automatic with paddleshift, RWD
Weight: 1820kg
0-60: 5.9 seconds
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)

Average fuel economy: 42mpg
Carbon dioxide emissions: 179g/km

(couldn’t find any decent pictures of the E350 CDI – but it looks identical to this E500 Sport)

£35,970 Mercedes E350 CDI Sport
Engine: 24v 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel, 1987cc
Maximum power: 231bhp @3800rpm
Maximum torque: 540Nm @1600-2400rpm
Transmission: 7G-Tronic 7-speed automatic,
Weight: 1825kg
0-60: 6.9
Top speed: 155 (electronically limited)

Average fuel economy: 40.9mpg
Carbon dioxide emissions: 186g/km

Jaguar today announced the introduction of the fourth and newest member of its acclaimed XF lineup, the 2010 XF Supercharged sedan. Joining the 4.2L and 5.0L naturally aspirated models and therange-topping XFR super-saloon in the U.S. market, the new XF Supercharged comes with a 5.0L force-fed engine pumping out a 470hp (351kW) and 424lb-ft (574Nm) of torque – a 12% increase in power over the 4.2L 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged.

This bump in output is courtesy of the new 5.0-liter supercharged AJ-V8 Gen III engine that debuted at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. However, it’s not just about more power. The new XF Supercharged also gets Jaguar’s latest ‘Adaptive Dynamics’ variable suspension damping system and the ‘Active Differential Control’ electronically controlled rear differential as standard.

The end result is a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds – just 0.2 seconds off the pace of the 510hp (380kW) XFR.

Other features include uprated ventilated disc brakes, 20in wheels, contrasting color twin needle stitching on the instrument panel and door top rolls, a unique Rich Oak veneer, a 440W Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, HD radio, and a heated steering wheel.

The XF Supercharged will go on sale this October and will be priced from $68,000. As for the rest of the lineup, the 300hp (225kW) 4.2L naturally aspirated XF is priced from $52,000, the 385hp (287kW) 5.0L naturally aspirated XF Premium at $57,000 and the aforementioned XFR at $80,000.

Sadly, the Americans still miss out on one other XF variant, the XF Diesel S. This super frugal sedan is limited to European markets and is powered by a 3.0L commonrail turbodiesel returning 34.5mpg (6.8L/100km) in fuel economy.

[Souce: Jaguar & Motorauthority]

IT’S M for Monstrous! With a 507bhp 5.0-litre V10, the BMW M5 hardly lacks punch – but Auto Express has learned that the wick is really being turned up on the next-generation model.

Following in the wheeltracks of the Audi RS6, the next M5 is rumoured to boast a new twin-turbocharged V10 engine. The new unit is expected to be a development of the firm’s 564bhp 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 which will power the upcoming X5 M and X6 M models.

It will produce in excess of 600bhp and is likely to be paired to an F1-style KERS system, allowing the driver to boost performance at the touch of a button. However, the new M5 is expected to keep an eye on fuel economy too with a new system that shuts down cylinders when they are not needed. We’ll learn more about the new M5 and the 5-Series next year.

For: Solid construction, fuel economy, spacious, comfortable accommodation

Against: Fussy styling, lack of a sixth auto gear, occasionally intrusive engine noise

Mercedes-Benz says this new car is its toughest E-class yet. Which is quite a claim, given that Mercedes’ executive saloon can trace its direct predecessors (if not the ‘E’ nomenclature) right back to 1947 and that the lineage has provided some of the world’s most trustworthy and durable vehicles.

More than 10 million executive saloons from this family have been sold, and many still have an enthusiastic following. There was a time when Mercedes’ advertising blurb claimed its cars were engineered like no other, and in the case of vehicles like the W124 it was probably true.

Those are the days and that is the image that Mercedes would like to evoke with this latest incarnation of the E-class. Keen to increase its share of the executive saloon market, Mercedes claims to have cut prices by five per cent and bolstered the equipment.

Ninety per cent of E-classes sold in the UK are powered by diesel engines, so our test car is too. It’s a 250 CDI, featuring a four-cylinder diesel engine, mated to an automatic gearbox and in SE trim.

VERDICT:

Full Story: Autocar – Mercedes E-class E250 CDI SE

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