There is no denying that, parked alongside the current segment competitors, the Audi A6, BMW 5-Series and the Jaguar XF, this all new 2016 Mercedes E-Class will still attract more attention. Why? Because it has a bold front grille, curvaceous lines and the bold 3-pointed star on the nose.
This E-Class is now the most technologically advanced car in the Mercedes Benz line-up. The interior looks as impressive as the cabin of the Mercedes S-Class. In spite of all the new technology, features and wizardry under the stylish suit, the E-Class is about 100kg lighter than its predecessor and its new body also cuts through the air easier, helping it to considerable efficiency gains and reduced cabin noise. On top of that, this E-Class is bigger than before, providing better interior space.
Living space?
Inside, rear space is among the most generous in the class, with decent leg and headroom. Up front the seats provide great support and comfort, while the upright dash does increase the feeling of spaciousness. The interior is dominated by a large tablet like screen on its center console, which offers tablet-like viewing and connectivity to apps and almost everything else in between.
Look at its heft?
This new E-Class has bags of presence from the word go. Compared with its predecessor, its wheelbase length has grown by 65 millimetres (2939/2874), its overall length by 43 millimetres (4923/4880) and so this is a large vehicle that confidently stakes its claim on the tarmac. Significant exterior dimensions aside, the styling is bold and muscular which is an imposing combination shaped by the need for aerodynamic efficiency as the Mercedes stylists’ imagined.
What your money gets you?
From a value perspective this new E-Class, priced from RM378k it is hard to fault. This E250 comes with every type of bell and whistle that most buyers in this segment want.
- COMAND Online
- Touchpad
- Widescreen Cockpit
- Wireless charging system for mobile devices
- Burmester® Surround Sound System
- Apple CarPlay®
- Android Auto™
- 19 inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels
- Panoramic sliding sunroof
- 360° Camera
- Parking Pilot
- KEYLESS-GO
- Boot lid convenience closing feature
- HANDS-FREE ACCESS
- Sunblinds in rear doors
- Electric roller blind for rear windscreen
- Double sunblind
- 4-way lumbar support
Driving it?
The 4-cylinder turbocharged engine in the E250 is a lively unit, well suited to the job in hand thanks to a blend of etiquette and muscle. The 9-speed gearbox can be set to a soothing ‘Eco’ mode where performance is reduced to the benefit of fuel consumption to a hyperactive ‘Sport’ mode that entertains the driver whilst sharpening all the sense of the car from suspension to steering and of course quicker power delivery.
Around town and when moving sedately around inner city traffic this E-Class is an excellent companion. At the other end of the scale, the Sport mode sharpens things up nicely, working the engine further up the rev range, milking the power and holding gears for longer. Finding a long sweeping corner, keep Sport mode on and attack the corner with confidence and this E-Class will hold its line and even more surprising return a comfortable ride for its rear passengers. The chassis begs for more power and we are sure when we get behind the wheel of the AMG tuned version, the enjoyment will be far more entertaining.
Why the need to buy one?
In this tough segment, all brands can deliver in safety features, drive dynamics and driver feel. One car might be slightly ahead in one area, but the rival might be ahead in another.
Still all the relevant boxes get ticked with this new Mercedes E250 at RM378,888.00, the just launched BMW 530i M Sport at RM398,800.00 and the Audi A6 2.0TFSI at RM407,900.00. The final decision lies with which sedan attracts you the most when you see it on the road.
Mercedes E250 Avantgarde Specifications
Engine: 4-cylinder Turbo
Displacement: 1991cc
Transmission: 9G-Tronic
Max power: 211bhp @ 5500rpm
Max torque: 350Nm @ 1200-4000rpm
Top Speed: 250km/h
0-100km/h: 6.9secs
Price: RM378,888.00
