History: Among the significant events in the 103-year history of Mercedes-Benz are several involving women and auto racing. One of the first features Bertha Benz, wife of Carl, who became the world's first woman driver in 1886 when she piloted her husband's car (12-year-old son Eugen at her side) the 50 miles from Mannheim to Pforzheim, Germany and back, masterminding the world's first long-distance auto trip. Many years later, Mercedes added to their distinguished list of racing trophies when two "beautiful blonde Swedish girls" -- Ewy Rosqvist and Ursula Wirth -- won the 1962 Gran Premio Standard of Argentina. Not only did "the girls" capture overall honors with their 220SE, they did it by winning all six stages -- a first in the event's history -- in a record-breaking 78.8 mph.

Although the E-Class, like most Mercedes-Benz vehicles, had its beginnings in racing, today this mid-size car is viewed primarily as a luxury, albeit high performance, passenger sedan or station wagon. An all-new E-Class was introduced in 1996, the company's 100th anniversary year, and in 1998, the vehicles received their first major update.

The E-Class is Mercedes' top-seller, with a selection that offers a 6-cylinder turbodiesel E300 sedan, a gasoline V6 E320 sedan and 7-passenger wagon, and the V8 E430 sedan.

The Test Vehicle: E430 sedan

Vehicle Type: five-passenger, four-door mid-size sedan, rear-wheel-drive

Base Price: $50,600

Test Vehicle Price: $53,340 (includes $595 destination charge)

Engine: The test car was equipped with the standard E430 engine, a 4.3-liter, 275-horsepower, V8.

Transmission: All E-Class models use an electronic five-speed automatic transmission that not only adapts to changes in road grade, but also to individual driving style.

Fuel Economy: 19 mpg city/26 mpg highway