So, does this midlife update for the current car, or the W212, take things forward significantly? Judging by the styling alone, it looks like Mercedes is off to a good start. The all-new nose replaces the earlier twin headlamp set-up with a funky-looking, single-element headlamp which looks really good. There’s a softer flow to the design of the nose and chin, but it does look a bit sportier now. The biggest change, however, is that the E-Class now comes equipped with the sportier-looking Mercedes grille—the one with the two prominent slats and the big star at the centre. The LED elements in the headlights, however, provide a link to the old car’s twin-lamp set-up.
At the rear, the new tail-lights get LED inserts,
and Merc has also made some expensive sheet-metal changes around the rear- wheel arches that help it look more youthful. The new five-spoke, 18-inch alloys also help make the car look more sporty and a lot more firmly planted.Climb inside and it’s evident that Mercedes has made sure that you are ensconced in a cabin where craftsmanship and build quality are a priority. Quality is microscopically perfect, the doors shut with a solid “thunk” and everything feels built to last. There are even a few revisions to the cabin. The vents on the central console are new, an analogue clock adorns the centre console and the Comand screen is now larger and of a much higher resolution. You also have the option of satellite navigation and the E-Class now integrates with your phone via Bluetooth as well.
Other changes include new individually hooded dials and twin sun visors, and there’s a colour screen at the centre of the speedometer. Our car came with AMG steering and a panoramic sunroof as well. Otherwise, the basic design of the citadel-like dash remains unaltered.
The front seats retain their fantastic thigh and shoulder support, and the rear seats boast of plenty of space as well as good thigh support. Clambering in and out is easy, the doors open wide enough and once you sit in the back and pull the elbow rest down, your seating position feels really natural and comfortable.
Get behind the wheel of the new E-Class and you’ll notice that the overall driving experience is comfortable as well. The new electric steering is light, but it is also quick and accurate—steering this big car feels quite effortless. It is also so well set up that it changes the way the E-Class feels and drives. There’s much more agility and the car seems to almost shrink around you as you go faster and faster.
Mercedes has made the suspension of the new E more comfort-oriented as well. There’s a suppleness to the set-up over bumps that was missing in the earlier car, and the new E’s capacity to absorb bad roads has increased quite a bit. It does get a bit unsettled on really bad roads and there is a bit of movement from the body, but otherwise it’s just the hush and calm you can only get from inside a Mercedes’ well-sealed cabin.
Mercedes has launched the new E-Class powered by two engines—the 204 bhp 250 CDI (around Rs.44.69 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi) and the 184 bhp 200 petrol. The 250 diesel that we drove makes 204 bhp, which isn’t really a lot. Still, performance is strong because of the massive 50.9kg of torque it generates. What makes the performance feel especially effortless is the fact that this motor makes its maximum torque from a low speed. The motor doesn’t sound particularly loud or diesel-like when you set off, and rattle and clatter are well-damped at everyday driving speeds. Drivers looking for more performance are, however, likely to be slightly disappointed. Spinning the motor harder and holding on to gears does not yield that much more in the way of performance, and the engine does feel a bit strained after 4,000 rpm. More information about the program is available on the web site at www.hmhid.com.
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