It has undergone a major facelift with a more dynamic appearance including its redesigned headlamps and steering wheel.
The locally assembled model is available as the E 200 Avantgarde and E 300 AMG Line, priced at RM 326,943.19 and RM 375,432.19 respectively.
The changes in the W213 E-Class are immediately obvious in the E-Class exterior.
As standard, the E 200 comes with the Avantgarde exterior, featuring a sleek new grille with newly-designed LED headlamps and tail lights, a bonnet with a pronounced power domes and 18-inch 5-twin spoke light alloy wheels.
The AMG Line on the E 300 comprises a new bumper in the style of the AMG Performance model and 19-inch AMG 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels. Its MULTIBEAM LED headlamps now includes ULTRA RANGE high beam.
The E-Class rear end now comes with a new bumper, split tail lamps and a new boot lid. The inner design of the tail lamps was also revised.
Two new paint colours — grey metallic and high-tech silver — are available for the E-Class as part of the model refresh.
Both variants are powered by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine as before. In the E 200, it makes 197hp and 320Nm; it's 258hp and 370Nm in the E 300. Top speed are 240kph and 250kph respectively.
Mercedes-Benz said the new multifunction steering wheel in genuine leather is now easier to use. The control surfaces sport a high-gloss black finish, while the trim elements and surrounds have a light longitudinal-grain aluminium trim in the E 200 Avantgarde, and open-pore black ash wood trim on the E 300 AMG Line.
The instrument cluster and the media display are controlled by swiping along the Touch Control buttons. The operating principle of the Touch Control buttons changes from optical to capacitive. A mechanical system was no longer needed, and the touch surfaces also are less susceptible to fingerprints. Whether the driver has control of the steering wheel is now determined by means of capacitive.
The design of the front seats accentuates the sporty aura of the interior. They offer strong lateral support without compromising on comfort. The seat contour follows the pronounced side bolsters and, depending on the specification, the centre section has sporty transverse or modern longitudinal seams. The colours of the centre sections of the seat backrest and cushion are matched to the overall sculpture of the seats. Numerous material combinations ranging from ARTICO man-made leather in the E 200 Avantgarde Line to genuine leather in the E 300 AMG Line.
The new E-Class is equipped with the latest generation of the MBUX multimedia system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) displayed in the Widescreen Cockpit, which includes two 12.3 inch displays. The information in the instrument cluster and on the media display is easily legible on the large, high-resolution screens. An emotive presentation with brilliant graphics facilitate intuitive use.
The new E-Class has the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems providing cooperative support to drivers. This results in an especially high level of active safety: as the E-Class is able to react if the driver doesn't. The hands-off recognition now works on a capacitive basis. This enhances user-friendliness when driving in semi-automated mode. To inform the assistance systems that the driver still has control of the E-Class, a slight steering movement was previously required as feedback.
The E 200 cabin.
The new steering wheel now features a pad with the appropriate sensors in the rim. These register whether the driver is holding the wheel. If the system detects that the driver does not have their hands on the steering wheel for a certain time, a warning cascade is started, which finally activates Emergency Brake Assist if the driver continues to be inactive.
As standard, the E-Class comes with Active Brake Assist, which in many situation is able to use autonomous braking to prevent a collision or mitigate its severity. The system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds and even to prevent collisions, depending on the situation. As part of the Driving Assistance Package, this is now also possible when turning off across the oncoming lane.
Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC and 360° camera on the E 300 AMG Line makes it possible to enter and leave parking spaces automatically. The system facilitates the search for and selection of a parking space as well as entering and leaving (if the vehicle was parked automatically) parallel and end-on parking spaces or garages.
For the first time, the new E-Class is able to recognise and use parking spaces which are only marked as areas on larger sites, for example. The 360° camera on the E 300 transmits an even more realistic image to the media display, which includes an expanded side view. When leaving a parking space, the system is able to warn of traffic crossing behind the vehicle and can apply the brakes in case of doubt.
The E 300 AMG Line comes with the Driving Assistance package that includes Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and PRE-SAFE PLUS.
Both variants are also fitted with URBAN GUARD, a combination of hardware and digital anti-theft system.
With URBAN GUARD, the intelligent interlinking of hardware and digital solutions that satisfies the worldwide rise in customer demand for security and property protection.
Together with Mercedes me, the URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection enables all-round monitoring of the parked vehicle. URBAN GUARD comprises an anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection with visual and audible warning in case of a detected change in position, an alarm siren, interior monitoring (triggers in case of movements in the interior) as well as a pre-installation for theft and parking collision detection.
The URBAN GUARD Vehicle Protection package provides all-round monitoring. It comprises an anti-theft alarm system plus tow-away protection which is able to detect changes in position. Movement in the vehicle interior also triggers visual and audible warnings. The driver will be notified of theft or parking damage detection through the Mercedes me app.
“The new locally-assembled Mercedes-Benz E-Class has gone through several stages of redefinition over the years to maintain the variety of top-class innovations, memorable highlights and a luxurious, stylish interior with high-value perception. The new E-Class creates history by going the extra mile in the evolution of safety, comfort and performance while upholding the standards of design and luxury," said newly appointed Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and CEO Sagree Sardien.
Under the Mercedes-Benz Financial's Step Up Agility Financing Plan, qualified cuistomers can drive off with the E 200 from RM2,388 per month and the E300 from RM2,988. The promotional plan is for a limited time only. The instalment plan is based on a 5-year tenure and downpayment of 10%.
For more details, go to http://mb4.me/StepUpAgility or speak to a finance and insurance executive at the nearest Mercedes-Benz dealership.
With over 14 million vehicles delivered since 1946 globally, the E-Class is the bestselling model series in the history of Mercedes-Benz.
> Facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class Equipment List (pdf)
