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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