Malaysians will need to be a little patient
This latest facelift E-Class has already been spotted in Malaysia and its launch is just months away. Be patient buyers.
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz South Korea unveiled the latest generation E-Class sedan in a few engine variants. With social media working at its best, Malaysians started asking when this new E-Class will arrive in Malaysia. However, with local assembly needing time to adapt to this revised E-Class and of course the pandemic reducing working time in Europe and also Asia, Mercedes-Benz needed more time to ready the completely knocked down (CKD) kits for export. So, Malaysians will need to wait patiently for 2021 to purchase a new E-Class sedan.
Meanwhile, just weeks ago, Mercedes-Benz South Korea launched two new versions of this E-Class.
Mercedes Benz Korea has recently unveiled a lightly updated version of its E-Class coupe and cabriolet variants. The launch of these face-lifted two-door models over there comes after the South Korean debut of the revised E-Class sedan back in October.
Two flavours of Mercedes’ revised two-door four-seat mid sized coupe have been announced. These are the more sedate E 450 4Matic Coupe and the sportier Mercedes-AMG E 53 4Matic+ Coupe. As for the cabriolet, only one trim level is on offer in South Korea, and that is the E 450 4Matic Cabriolet.
The headline news for the revisions on the E 450 4Matic Coupe and Cabriolet will be the new engine under the hoods of either car. Gone is the old 329 hp V6, and in its place instead is Daimler’s latest generation 3.0 litre turbocharged straight-six engine.
A detuned version of the 429 hp/520 Nm engine to be found in the E 53 AMG, this new straight-six now outputs 362 hp and 500 Nm of torque when fitted to the E 450 variants. This new power plant is also paired to a 48 V EQ Boost mild hybrid system with integrated starter generator, which helps improve fuel efficiency and is able provide a slight boost of power under hard acceleration.
As it is a facelift after all, all three cars have too received minor revisions to the exterior and interior. Mildly revised headlights and tail lights are seen on all three models, as are new alloy wheel designs and a revised selection of exterior colour options.
On the face-lifted E 450 Coupe and Cabriolet, a new Panamerican-inspired grille freshens up the front end design. A new front grille also appears on the AMG E 53, though it features the traditional AMG vertical slats. Other AMG specific add-ons on the E 53 include the quad round tail pipes poking out the back, and the obligatory ‘Turbo’ badging on the front fenders.
Speaking of AMG, the E 450 4Matic Cabriolet is offered as standard with the AMG Line package in South Korea. Thereby giving it a more dynamic aesthetic than the coupe of the same trim level.
Stepping inside, all three cars receive revised steering wheels as part of the interior update. Naturally, the latest generation of MBUX infotainment system are also featured in all three cars. A sporty Dynamics Plus package is available too on the E 53 AMG, a first for a non-V8 AMG model.
Prices for the new E 450 4Matic Coupe, AMG E 53 4Matic+ Coupe and E 450 4Matic Cabriolet in South Korea are 100.6 million won (RM372,000), 115.4 million won (RM427,000) and 106.6 million won (RM394,000) respectively.
Thus far, no word yet from Mercedes Benz Malaysia as to when these revisions will make its way to the coupe and cabriolet E-Class offered over here. Seeing however that the E-Class sedan has also yet to be updated locally, it might be a way of yet before its sleeker equivalents receive the updates as seen in South Korea.
Research and Text by Joshua Chin
