MERCEDES-Benz E-Class has set the standard for mid-range luxury sedans for over 75 years.
On Thursday, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia opens a new chapter for the popular business sedan with a new electronics architecture that allows for a comprehensive and intuitive digital user experience.
The company unveiled two variations of the new, six-generation E-Class for the Malaysian market: the E200 Avantgarde mild hybrid and the E350e AMG Line. The latter is a plug-in hybrid.
The new E-Class was first launched in Europe, with unsurprisingly Germany was one of the first countries to receive it.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia president and chief executive officer Amanda Zhang said the new E-Class represents both a transformative evolution and a bold leap forward in luxury.
"It is the most intelligent business sedan ever, intuitively learning your routines. With electrified options ranging from a refined combustion engine to a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid, it sets a new standard for responsible luxury.
"This is more than just a car - it's a symbol of status and sophistication, designed to seamlessly adapt to and elevate your lifestyle. The new E-Class offers a personalised driving experience that redefines what it means to travel in style," Zhang added.
She said more than 74,000 units of the E-Class were sold in the country since 1974.
Mercedes-Benz Malaysia vice president of marketing and sales Nadia Trimmel said for both loyal enthusiasts and a new generation of drivers in Malaysia, the new E-Class is about relishing every moment with unmatched comfort, cutting-edge innovation, and timeless elegance.
"The E-Class has long been the gold standard in its class, and this latest generation raises the bar even further. It delivers a truly immersive digital experience, leveraging advanced AI and intelligent connectivity to transform the driving experience."
The Stuttgart's stalwart executive sedan is locally assembled from Mercedes-Benz's plant in Pekan, Pahang right from the off.
The E200 Avantgarde features a powerful electrified internal combustion engine (ICE), while the E350e AMG Line is equipped with an advanced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrain.
The E200's mild hybrid system delivers an additional 17 kW of power and up to 205 Nm of torque boost, while the E350e Plug-in Hybrid impresses with an electric range of up to 118 km (WLTP).
The exterior design
The new E-Class embodies the proportions of a classic three-box saloon, with a short front overhang and a long bonnet that transitions smoothly into a well-set-back greenhouse.
This "cab-backward" design, combined with a near three-centimeter longer wheelbase (2,961 millimetres), provides generous passenger space, culminating in a well-proportioned rear overhang that enhances the car's sleek profile.
A striking black panel-like surface connects the radiator grille to the headlamps, emphasising the car's modern yet timeless design.
From the side, the harmonious proportions and distinctive "cab-backward" aesthetic stand out, further enhanced by the seamless door handles, familiar from the S-Class, which elegantly extend when the driver approaches or touches the handle.
The AMG Line exterior on the E 350 e brings a touch of sportiness to the E-Class with the two- character lines along the sides of the car which accentuate its sporty demeanor.
The wide track and flush-fitted 19-inch multi-spoke light-alloy wheels on the E 200 and 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels on the E 350 e further highlight its athletic stance.
The rear design of the E-Class is equally impressive. The two-section LED taillights, featuring a new contour and a signature star motif, create a unique and unmistakable light display, day or night.
The width of the rear is accentuated by the seamless connection of the rear lights and the V-shaped boot lid design, complemented by a chrome trim bar along its rear edge.
Blending tradition with modernity, the E-Class features a black panel-like surface that connects the radiator grille to the headlamps.
The grille itself includes a single louvre, a chrome star motif, and chrome surrounds.
The E200 comes equipped with high-performance LED headlamps, while the E 350e boasts cutting-edge Digital Light technology.
Both variants maintain the distinctive Mercedes-Benz daytime running light design.
Interior design
MBUX Superscreen is a highlight of the interior design.
The MBUX Superscreen in the E 350e transforms the dashboard into a striking digital hub, offering an immersive and futuristic in-cabin experience.
Spanning across the entire dashboard, the large glass surface integrates seamlessly with the 14.4-inch central display, while the visually distinct 12.3-inch high-resolution driver display enhances usability.
The glass contour is dynamic, with the central display extending downward for a sleek, modern look, complemented by a narrow nozzle band that merges the central and outer air vents into one cohesive unit.
In contrast, the E200 features a sophisticated open-pore black ash wood trim, backlit with the iconic Mercedes-Benz pattern.
The central display appears to float above this elegantly curved trim, giving the interior a light and airy feel.
Both variants feature ambient lighting - Active Ambient Lighting in the E 350e and Ambient Lighting in the E200 - that wraps around the front section of the instrument panel, flowing seamlessly into the doors to create an inviting, spacious atmosphere.
The centre console blends harmoniously with the dashboard, featuring a stowage compartment,
cup holders, and a soft padded armrest, along with integrated USB ports.
The door panels echo the futuristic design of the dashboard with floating control arrays and high-tech metallic elements that incorporate the power window switches, grab handles, and seat controls.
The seating design is a masterpiece in both variants.
The E200, featuring Artico man-made leather, mirrors the luxurious aesthetics of natural leather, with beautifully contoured seat surfaces that evoke an organic, shell-like elegance.
The E350e boasts leather upholstery with intricate longitudinal fluting, plus climatised front seats with three-stage ventilation and heating, ensuring the utmost comfort. The overall interior design is a perfect fusion of luxury, innovation, and comfort, making every journey in the E-Class a refined experience.
Pricing starts at RM355,888 for the E200 Avantgarde, while the E350e AMG Line starts from RM418,888. That price includes the 10 per cent sales tax but without insurance.
Mercedes-Benz E200 Avantgarde:
2.0 litre M254 turbo four-cylinder engine
204 PS at 5,800 rpm, 320 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm
Electric motor – 23 PS, 205 Nm of torque
Nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission
Rear-wheel drive
0-100 km/h in 7.5 seconds
Top speed 240 km/h
Fuel consumption 6.7 to 7.2 litres per 100 km
Mercedes-Benz E350e AMG Line :
2.0 litre M254 turbo four-cylinder engine
204 PS at 5,800 rpm, 320 Nm of torque from 1,600 to 4,000 rpm
Electric motor – 129 PS, 440 Nm of torque
Total system output 313 PS, 550 Nm of torque
Nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission
Rear-wheel drive
25.4 kWh lithium-ion battery
0-100 km/h in 6.4 seconds
Top speed 236 km/h
Pure electric range 100 to 118 km
Fuel consumption 0.6 litres per 100 km