GLOBAL SPINS
MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS
In a class
The E-Class gets a new power train , a fresher look and topnotch safety features
By gOKUL KanDiaH
W hile some manufacturers do
nothing more than change the bumpers and the headlamps when “ facelifting ” an existing model , some go the extra mile and put in a great effort .
A good example would be Mercedes- Benz and what they ’ ve done to the eighth generation E-Class .
Introduced in 2009 and already facelifted once in 2011 , many guessed that the W212 will remain as it is until the next expected full model change in 2015 .
The folks at Stuttgart however have decided to take the model back to the drawing board , and give it a fresh look , new engines , and a range of new technology and safety features that has resulted in a car that can pretty much drive itself .
Thanks to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia , we had the opportunity to get our hands on the new E-Class last month in Barcelona , Spain , and put the car and its new features to the test along the beautiful coastal roads of Catalonia .
Design
For the first time , the E-Class is available with two different front ends . While the basic Elegance trim comes with the classic threedimensional Saloon grille with the Mercedes- Benz star on the hood , the Avantgarde equipment line features a sporty front end with the brand emblem integrated on the grille .
According to Kai Schlickum , Mercedes- Benz Malaysia ’ s sales and marketing vicepresident , the Malaysian market will only be
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