The Audi’s advantage lies in its quattro four-wheel drive system. Unlike the RWD unit of the Merc, you can dial more speed into the corner and exit at exactly the same speed, making slow-in, fast-out a thing of the past. This helps, especially when you are on not-so-well paved B-roads, lined with the odd road undulation or pothole. It just ploughs through those sections with authority, but at no time do you actually get enough steering response. It is dead at low speeds and builds up to provide decent feel at higher speeds, and yet isn’t something one would call brilliant. The 18-inch Bridgestones don’t necessarily provide the best of grip, saved only by quattro, while delivering a slightly bumpy ride. The pre-facelifted car’s setup felt best in this regard.

So, on paper, the E-Class is incrementally better. But in real life, it is revolutionary and a revelation! The sublime balance between ride and handling, a gem of an engine and great interiors make up for whatever quirks one might find with its overall design. What really surprised us is how much better it is than its predecessor, and it leaves its competition with lots to ponder about. The A6, despite its fantastic engine and quattro setup, just doesn’t win the day for Ingolstadt. Importantly, the car never leaves you with that “special” feeling, leaving you to appreciate its industrially perfect, yet numb interiors, bits of which can also be found on other cars from VAG. When you are in the market for a car costing around half a crore of rupees, you want to feel pampered and appreciated, and the Audi just can’t muster that. And it won’t until 2011, when a new one finally comes through. Until then, or at least until later next year, when the new BMW 5 Series is expected, Mercedes-Benz have every reason to believe that they sell the best car in its class.