Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Overview

UPDATED: Read detailed roadtest of the E400 Cabriolet (click to read)

The Mercedes E-Class is probably the most important car that Mercedes has its range. Just think about it, in India the E-Class is still their best selling car and not even the launch of cheaper offerings like the B-Class have changd that. Like the numerous spy shots that we have been seeing, this is a big step taken by Mercedes as the E-Class has been around for quite some time now and needed a change to compete with new rivals like the Audi A6. So, as a result Mercedes has gone for an aggressive new design.The front of the E-Class now lets go of the twin headlamp arrangement in favour of a fixed headlamp and this gives it a sporty look. It has LEDs that break into segments in the one peice headlights. It has full LED headlights also available as an option. The new E has many grille styles and in the luxury version has a three bar centre section while the Sport version has a two-bar centre section. The new bumper looks sporty as well and gives the car a more aggressive look compared to the previous gen. Overall it looks lower and meaner than before. We like. The interior of the E-Class has been comletely changed and it looks just like any luxury Merc should. The dashboard is seperated in two zones. The design of the console is upright but it now looks much more smarter. The dash now has a new look screen. The two-part trim on the dash is just pure luxury. The switches and knobs are all of high quality in fact the whole car is just bullet-proof and quality is brilliant. The plus point regarding the new E is the space which it has in abundance. The feature list is long and it is loaded with alll sorts of features including a massive panoramic sunroof and navigation. At the launch there will be two engine options- the E250 CDI and E200 petrol. The diesel which will be hot-seller makes 204 bhp and the smooth petrol makes 184 bhp. There would be more ppwerful versions in the near future. The 7-speed automatic gearbox is honey smooth and just brilliant. The new E-Class is more sportier than the earlier E-Class but amazingly Mercedes has managed to keep the ride almmost same and new E-Class though more firm still handles bad roads with ease. The refinement is truly fantastic. In the handling department the new E-Class is just brilliant as it brings in a new dimension. The steering which is a new electric unit is direct and light but the fantastic body control and grip levels are just great. It shrinks around you and becomes a great sports saloon. When it comes to safety the new E-Class gets a lot of features. For a detailed analysis read below

Interior

 The interior of the E-Class has been comletely changed and it looks just like any luxury Merc should. The dashboard is seperated in two zones. The design of the console is upright but it now looks much more smarter. The dash now has a new look screen. The two-part trim on the dash is just pure luxury. The switches and knobs are all of high quality in fact the whole car is just bullet-proof and quality is brilliant. The plus point regarding the new E is the space which it has in abundance. The feature list is long and it is loaded with all sorts of features including a massive panoramic sunroof and navigation.

Exterior

 The front of the E-Class now lets go of the twin headlamp arrangement in favour of a fixed headlamp and this gives it a sporty look. It has LEDs that break into segments in the one peice headlights. It has full LED headlights also available as an option. The new E has many grille styles and in the luxury version has a three bar centre section while the Sport version has a two-bar centre section. The new bumper looks sporty as well and gives the car a more aggressive look compared to the previous gen. Overall it looks lower and meaner than before. We like.

Mileage Running Cost

 You will 10-12 kmpl in the diesel version.

Comfort Suspension

 The new E-Class is more sportier than the earlier E-Class but amazingly Mercedes has managed to keep the ride almost same and new E-Class though more firm still handles bad roads with ease. The refinement is truly fantastic.

Engine Performance

 At the launch there will be two engine options- the E250 CDI and E200 petrol. The diesel which will be hot-seller makes 204 bhp and the smooth petrol makes 184 bhp. There would be more powerful versions in the near future. The 7-speed automatic gearbox is honey smooth and just brilliant.

Braking Safety

 In the handling department the new E-Class is just brilliant as it brings in a new dimension. The steering which is a new electric unit is direct and light but the fantastic body control and grip levels are just great. It shrinks around you and becomes a great sports saloon. When it comes to safety the new E-Class gets a lot of features.