15 August 2013

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Facelift Launched In Malaysia


Moving from the global MB news to local MB news, the facelifted E-Class Sedan has been released to Malaysian market. Come in E200 and E250 form, the enhanced E-Class has ditched the turbocharged 1.8L CGI engine in favor in 2.0L turbocharged BlueDIRECT lump. The base Elegance trim line has been dropped too, as MB Malaysia orients itself more of the sporty Avantgarde trim line. The new MB E200 is priced at RM366,888 while the E250 is pitched at RM405,888.

The facelifted MB E-Class differs vastly from the pre-facelifted version, and it has shed the solid but dowdy image of its forebear. MMN has covered extensively the design change and you can read it HERE. In essence, it gets a totally redesign front end, where the quad headlamp setup has been dropped and in comes the unit mirroring the silhouette of the smaller facelifted C-Class, reprofiled hood, new grille and curvier front bumper. The rear light however retains it housing, but the inner graphic is more more LED-laden. The rear bumper is lightly restyled, particularly at the lower section. Another styling change is the deletion of pontoon hunch on the rear door, which is replaced by a smoother sheet metal.

The interior now majors more opulence with greater luxury trappings than before. The meter binnacle is new together with its cowl design. The central air vent is revised, instead of embedded in its own panel, it is now resides within the new central horizontal garnish. Between the air vents, an analogue clock makes an appearance. The audio and climate control switchgear is new, and featured more silver and chrome finish for an added touch of class.

For the engine, in E200 guise, the 2.0L punches 184hp@5,500rpm and 300Nm between 1,200-4,000rpm, while the higher tune E250 produces 211hp@5,500rpm and 350Nm also between 1,200-4,000rpm. Drive is channeled rearwards via 7 speed automatic transmission. In case any towkay want to know, the new E-Class measures 4,879mm long, 1,854mm wide and 1,474mm tall. Wheelbase is 2,874mm and the wheel is suspended by multi-link suspension all around. Boot volume is 540L. Both E200 and E250 has almost similar appearance, especially the standard Avantgarde radiator grille. Key differences is the 18 inch alloy wrapped by 245/40 R18 on E250 while E200 make do with  smaller 17 inch alloy and single exhaust outlet setup.

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