Mercedes Benz E-Class facelift launched!

Look closely in the center to see a huge letter ‘E’

After many months of waiting, the facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class is finally available in Malaysia! Globally revealed earlier this year, the facelifted E-Class received one of the most substantial update yet for a Mercedes. Not only there is a totally redesigned front, revised rear section as well as interior, but new engines as well. Definitely not your average facelift.

The media launch event took place early in the morning at Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur. Funnily enough, there is nothing majestic about the hotel’s exterior thanks to its relatively small dimension compared to other modern hotels. I mentioned modern hotels because to be fair, the Majestic Hotel was built during 1932 when Malaysia was still called Malaya. It was the largest and grandest hotel back then mind you.

It may no longer be the largest, but step inside the Majestic Hotel and it feels much bigger than its exterior suggest, and very grand indeed. You can definitely see why Mercedes chose this location to reveal their latest E-Class…

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Every members of the media will be separated into three groups. Every group will first be presented with a short video plus a Q&A session, where they will then move on to the cars itself for photo opportunity, and then finally end it all with a sumptuous breakfast. The same process goes for the other two groups in a cycle.

Is a tough job I know…

Unlike most Western and European countries, the specifications on Malaysian imported cars tend to be decided by the official distributors, and oddly enough the new E-Class will only be available in Avantgarde trim which is the sportier looking trim. The previously available Elegance trim is no longer an option.

E250 gives you flashier rims and better brakes.

I personally prefer the subtly sportier look of the Avantgarde trimmed E-Class, as I believe it strikes a perfect balance between luxury and sporty without looking like an AMG wannabe. I’m sure the Avantgarde-only option will not be a deal breaker to any potential customers.

The main highlight of its newly redesigned front are the pair of full LED headlights as standard which is a first in its class. The new “four-eyed” LED headlights looks much more futuristic yet recognisably Mercedes, the headlights also comes with LED Intelligent Light System. As for the revised interior, Avantgarde trim means you will get Black Ash Wood trim instead of the usual brown wood trim, again, to give it a sportier feel.

Only two engine choices are available. One engine with two different state of tune to be exact. The base model will be the E200 which is powered by a new 2.0 liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 184 hp, followed by the E250 which is powered by the same engine but with 211 hp instead.

Interesting to note is that both variants have identical fuel consumption figures, which pretty much makes the more powerful, more well-equipped E250 a no brainer, if budget allows of course, because the price difference between the two is quite substantial. The E200 Avantgarde will cost RM366,888, while the E250 Avantgarde will set you back RM405,888.

The BMW 5-Series is currently dominating the Malaysian executive sedan market thanks to the entry-level 520d being almost RM30,000 cheaper than the pre-facelift E200, and yet similarly powerful and diesel powered, therefore more fuel efficient. Plus, the less sporty look of the pre-facelift E-Class does not appeal much to the young or young-at-heart.

The facelifted E-Class, with its much improved looks, more efficient engine and class-leading safety technologies, it might just start appealing to new customers and turning the tide to its favour. Never in my life I would have expected to prefer an E-Class over a 5-Series till now. BMW should indeed be worried.