John Lindgren
john@carsanook.com
Design
The architecture of the new E-Class displays a younger more dynamic yet elegant, classic Merc.The
front end of the new E-Class has a more flowing aspect with the wedge-shaped bonnet merging into the radiator surrounded by the new LED headlamps as if cast in one piece. Sophisticated, yet sporty, powerful aesthetics and pure E-Class DNA.
The side view boasts long flanks and the broad rear with horizontal LED tail lights add styling points like the sporty bumper integrated rectangular twin exhaust pipes. The cool 18-inch twin five-spoke alloys provide additional street cred.
Our demo unit is the maximum loaded, range topper E300 BlueTEC Hybrid AMG Dynamic. From the moment you step in, you know you are in for a fine treat and a great ride. The opulent interior boasts premium Nappa upholstery, soft touch trim elements and elegant high-gloss black ash wood trim.
On the centre of the dashboard a Cartier like square analogue clock, white face. A sign that you’re in a luxury motorcar. The coveted, ultra-premium Rolls Royce Ghost and Bentley GT also come with analogue dash-board timepieces, of course! The standard hightech features include a comprehensive multimedia and navigation system linked to a premium Harman Kardon Logic7 surround sound-system with 14 highperformance speakers. That’s private concert hall sound. More interior highlights; a panoramic sliding glass sun roof safety: nine airbags along with numerous safety features and lane departure assistance as standard make this E-Class a very safe vehicle.
Powertrain
The E300 BlueTec Hybrid’s power comes mainly from a 2.1 litre 4-cylinder turbo diesel that pumps out 204 horse power mated to an electric motor producing another 27 hp.
Power is put to the wheels by a 7G-Tronic silky smooth transmission. Performance figures: 0-100 km/h in of 7.1 seconds. Top speed 242 km/h. Fuel consumption: 24 km/l. This beats the EcoCar 22 km/l rating. The vehicle’s carbon dioxide emission is 144 g/km. The amazing range (fuel economy) of MercedesBenz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid was proven last year when British motoring editor Andrew Frankel drove the vehicle from Tangier in Morocco to Goodwood in the UK distance 1,968 km on one single tank or 80 litres of diesel! Try Kuala Lumpur-Bangkok. No problem, there’ll be enough juice to carry you all the way to Chiang Mai.
Driving impressions
Start engine. OK. “D” for drive. But where’s the gear lever? On the centre console? No! Mercedes E-Class relocated the gear selector from the usual centre location to the steering column stalk. Voila! R-N-D and P at your fingertips. Also on the column the Formula-One type “manual change” gear shift paddles.
On our Bangkok-Pattaya-Chantaburi-Trat test drive it proved to be a quiet, relaxed cruise, thanks to the combination of a four-pot BlueTEC diesel engine and the electric motor the drive.
High efficiency motoring with plenty of power on tap when needed for swift and safe overtaking those (dead) slow vehicles hugging the right lane. When braking, the regenerative braking system feeds surplus energy to the battery. A fuel saving, battery charging Benz innovation.
Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid AMG package combines perfectly the efficiencies of both a (bluets) diesel engine and hybrid electric motor providing stellar fuel economy, sustainability, safety and luxurious comfort.
Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid AMG Saloon
- Engine: 4-cylinder in-line 2.1 liter turbo diesel
- Power: 204hp
- Torque: 500Nm
- Electric motor power:27hp
- Electric Motor torque:280Nm
- Transmission: 7-speed automatic
- Average fuel consumption: 24 km/liter
- Top Speed: 242 km/h
- Price: B4.19 million (Estate variant, same price)
AMG: Aufrecht Melcher Grossaspach is the tuning arm of Mercedes-Benz. The company was founded in 1967 by ex Mercedes-Benz engineer Hans-Werner Aufrecht and his business partner Erhard Melcher in the small German town named Grossaspach. The AMG acronym originates from the two partner’s family names and the town where it all began.www.mercedes-benz.co.th