A Benz by a company called Binz. Ironic isn't it? Mercedes Benz has collaborated once again with coach builders Binz, the company from Lorch in Germany for their latest mid-sized limousine based on the new W212 E-Class sedan. Some of you may be unaware but Mercedes Benz always produced these 4 and 6 door mid-sized limousines since the W110 "fintail" series of the late 1960s, mostly with Binz. These long wheelbase E-Classes were produced mainly with 6 doors and 3 rows of seats, mainly for chauffeur driven services like those offered by limousine service companies, hotels, large companies for staff pick-up and also for funeral homes (dead people have relatives that need chauffeuring too).

So the latest offering based on the W212 is actually eagerly awaited. Not by you and I, but by the people mentioned above and this time, the base E-Class has been stretched by 1.10meters to 5.98meters. The length is about the length of a Maybach, but you'd note that the car may be long, it is not as wide as one nor as overtly luxurious as one.

Now the new Binz Benz has three rows of seats, in addition to the driver the car can still accommodate six passengers comfortably. And with six doors the passengers can be easily reach their seats. For a conference or for gossiping, the middle seats can rotate to face the people at the third row. The usual E-Class creature comforts are provided as well as the usual customization options (bulletproofing included) offered as the car is mainly a coachbuilt car.

The seven seater luxury vehicle was given a full review by engineers (both from Mercedes Benz and Binz) to guarantee a high level of torsional rigidity especially after taking into account the extra length grafted to the chassis.

As for poke, Binz is offering three models/engines choices of the Benz, all petrol powered. The 204bhp 1.8liter turbocharged 4 cylinder E250 BlueEfficiency, the 292bhp 3.5liter V6 E350 CGI and the 388bhp V8 5.4liter E500. Some may be doubting the capability of the E250 in lugging around the extra weight of the limousine. It has 310Nm of torque, which is at least 120Nm over the old W123 250 limousine made between 1977 and 1985 even though this version may be 200kgs heavier.

- a W123 limousine