The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class started selling even before it was launched to the media and today it is easy to see them on Klang Valley roads. This has been the case for almost all previous E-Class sedans and this 8th generation should be no different. First thing to understand is that most Mercedes E-Class owners are not going to be really bothered about some test drive review written by a road test editor who cannot afford it. Second, they buy this car for what it stands for in the corporate and social car park. Third and finally, it represents good value and engineering from a car company that has been in business since the dawn of the automobile.
With that set aside, here are my 2 cents worth. We drove the V6 powered E300 which still carries the previous engine with some improvements. Exterior looks have been sharpened at all angles and this gives the E-Class a somewhat different outlook to its ‘S’ and ‘C’ class siblings. Daytime running lights look like an afterthought as they do not gel with the rest of the handsome chiseled exterior. Climb inside and the news changes as it carries a modern well thought off interior (borrowed mostly from the outgoing S-Class luxury sedan ) which this company has never failed to deliver. Comfort levels are high and rear passengers will be pampered. Tech inside the car like the COMAND system are easy to learn and use.
Ignite the engine and the V6 does not fail to excite as Benz engineers have ‘allowed’ the grunt to seep into the cabin to excite the driver. This is good as previous E-Class sedans lacked that extra incentive. Some older Benz owners might say no to this as they prefer a quiet cabin but W210 Avantgarde owners will remember their active chassis and appreciate this car.
Handling and power delivery is good while being super safe in its predictable handling and steering inputs. You need to really be silly behind the wheel to make this car lose its composure and then even it helps to catch some of the lost time by being alert to the drivers steering feedback. We liked driving this car and after 6 hours of open highways, estate lined tarmac and some city roads, there was little else left for us to say but ‘thumbs up’ to Mercedes.
Now how do we start earning enough from the blogsite to buy one?
