Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has officially launched the all-new W213 E-Class in Malaysia starting with the fully-imported E200. The E250 and E300 will be coming later this year.
The rear-wheel drive 1991cc, 184hp, 300Nm E200 is paired with Mercedes’s latest nine-speed automatic gearbox. It is only available in Avantgarde Line trim. The E200 is priced at RM395,888 on the road without insurance. Prices for the E250 and E300 will be announced as they are launched.
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Mercedes-Benz E200 Avantgarde Line | Mercedes-Benz E250 Avantgarde Line | Mercedes-Benz E250 Exclusive Line | Mercedes-Benz E300 AMG Line |
| Engine | 4-cyl, 1991cc | 4-cyl, 1991cc | 4-cyl, 1991cc | 4-cyl, 1991cc |
| Transmission | 9-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 9-speed auto | 9-speed auto |
| Max Power | 184hp/5500rpm | 211hp/5500rpm | 211hp/5500rpm | 245/5500rpm |
| Max Torque | 300Nm/1200-4000rpm | 350Nm/1200-4000rpm | 350Nm/1200-4000rpm | 370Nm/1200-4000rpm |
| 0-100km/h; Top Speed | 7.7seconds/240km/h | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Price | RM395,888 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
The E-Class is Mercedes’s best selling model range worldwide. While there is currently only one four-cylinder engined variant offered in Malaysia, it will be joined by two additional variants, the E250 and E300, later this year in September and November respectively.
There will be two trim levels offered for the E250, Avantgarde and Exclusive Line while the E300 will be be specced up with AMG Line kit, making it a total of four petrol-engined variants altogether.
EXTERIOR
The all-new E-Class is curvier with more flowing lines than its predecessor and now looks like a small S-Class or a large C-Class. The differentiating points can be seen on the door panels which look more tautly muscular from having a higher, narrower shoulder line, wider spaced swage lines, and a more coupé-like roofline. 
Comparison of measurements
| New E-Class | Predecessor | Difference | |
| Exterior | |||
| Vehicle length mm | 4923 | 4880 | +43 |
| Vehicle width mm | 1852 | 1854 | -2 |
| Vehicle height mm | 1468 | 1471 | -3 |
| Wheelbase mm | 2939 | 2874 | +65 |
| Track width, front mm | 1620 | 1600 | +20 |
| Track width, rear mm | 1626 | 1619 | +7 |
| Interior | |||
| Kneeroom, rear mm | 75 | 69 | +6 |
| Front/rear shoulder room mm | 1467/1450 | 1467/1446 | 0/+4 |
| Boot capacity l | 540 | 540 | – |
The overall width of the car is unchanged but the new E-Class is 43mm longer than the W212 E-Class at 4923mm. By reducing front and rear overhangs and pushing the wheels further out to the corners, the wheelbase has been extended by 65mm with both front and rear passenger gaining more knee room.
To accommodate the increased length without compromising agility, the track has been widened by 20mm at the front and 7mm at the rear and ride height lowered by 3mm. Boot capacity is unchanged at a class leading 540litres.
LED headlights are standard in the E-Class. The E200 has LED High Performance lights while the other three variants will have adaptive Multibeam LED. The tail lamps feature a unique light effect from the LED lamps being arranged on a specially designed structure. Combined with a new reflector technology, it has a star dust appearance when illuminated which differentiates the E-Class from the S- and C-Class from the rear.
The E200 comes with 18-inch five-spoke light alloy wheels fitted with run-flat tyres as standard. The E250 Avantgarde, E250 Exclusive and E300 AMG will run on 19-inch rims. The E250 Avantgarde will have Tirefit while the E250 Exclusive and E300 AMG, run-flat tyres
INTERIOR
The gently curved centre stack seen in the S- and C-Class make their appearance in the E-Class with neat rows of control switches and airplane vent-style blowers. The spacious cabin can be specced with a variety of finishes including open-grain wood, carbon fibre, wood inlays and a new metal fabric.
In the previous generation E-Class, there were in two distinct sections for the dashboard, the instrument cluster directly in front of the driver and an infotainment unit in a tablet-style screen above the centre console.
This has been streamlined into a single section cockpit-style panel which houses two 12-inch high-resolution screens behind a flat glass cover. The instrument cluster is now fully digital and the driver can customise the information and views according to their personal preferences in any one of three screen styles: “classic”, “sport” and “progressive”. However, do note that the images of the E200 interior, the car has an analog instrument cluster. This is not the standard spec for the car. All W213 E-Class customer units will have the digital interface.
The Comand system is smartphone integrated for both Apple CarPlay and Android and can be controlled through the multifunction steering wheel which has Touch Control Buttons on both the left and right side. Touch Control buttons respond to the touch and swipe gestures used on mobile phones and tablets.
This allows the driver to control the entire infotainment system without having to take their hands off the steering wheel. The infotainment system can also be accessed through voice controlled via the Linguatronic system or the Touchpad with Controller which can recognise handwriting.
The E200 comes with push-button start but not keyless entry. The E250s and E300 will have Keyless-Go – keyless entry and push-button start – as well as Hands-Free Access. The sound system is by Burmester with varying levels of sophistication according to trim level. In the E300 AMG, this will be the Surround Sound System.
The heated leather front seats have adjustable lumbar support. A Sun Protection Package consisting of double sun blinds, electric blinds for the rear window and roller sun blinds on the rear doors is provided. There is no sunroof for the E200 but for the E250 and E300 trim levels a panoramic sliding roof is standard.
The E200 makes do with a reverse camera while options provided as standard in the E250 and E300 are 360º camera and wireless Qi mobile charging will be available for the E250 and E300. The E300 will also be fitted with Head-Up Display.
PERFORMANCE
The 1991cc turbocharged, petrol engine is a carry over from the W212. Output from the E200 is 184hp with 300Nm of torque. Performance times are 0-100km/h in 7.7 seconds while top speed is 240km/h. The E250 rated at 211hp with 350Nm while the E300 at 245hp produces 370Nm of torque.
The rear-wheel drive E-Class is paired with the latest generation Mercedes transmission, a nine-speed dual clutch gearbox, the 9-G-tronic. All four trim levels have steering-mounted gear shift paddles.
Agility Control suspension is standard with Dynamic Select, selective damping system. There are four modes to choose from: Comfort, Eco, Sport and Sport+. In addition, there is “individual” for drivers to customise their preference.
SAFETY
Mercedes-Benz have always prided themselves as being the builders of the world’s safest cars. Making its debut is an extension of the Pre-Safe system, the Pre-Safe Impulse side function which inflates air chambers along the side bolsters of the back rest to move occupants towards the centre of the vehicle before an imminent collision.
Other standard driver assistance systems in the W213 include Active Brake Assist to warn drivers of impending collisions and even autonomously apply the brakes, Parking Pilot, Adaptive Brake Lights, Attention Assist and Crosswind Assist.
WHAT ELSE?
No details were given of exact interior spec or exterior paintwork options but the this is the fully-imported all-new E200 which means the RM395,888 mentioned is really “starting from” and you can probably individualise your car as you please, at a cost, of course.
IMAGE GALLERY
