The brand new E-Class delivers easy energy and supreme luxurious in equal measure. With its silky six-cylinder engine and impeccable journey, it’s the most effective of each worlds.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is the go-to luxurious automotive for anybody with cash. It’s the German luxurious model’s primary mannequin and the bestselling automotive in its class, largely because of its lengthy wheelbase, which offers the much-coveted legroom rear-seat passengers want. In India, the place luxurious sedans are predominantly chauffeur-driven, rear-seat consolation is a prime precedence. BMW, recognising Mercedes’ successful components, lastly joined the long-wheelbase membership with its newest 5 Collection. However Mercedes struck again with a good stronger providing – the brand new E-Class with three engine choices, guaranteeing it covers all bases.
The E 450 is priced Rs 14 lakh larger than the E 200.
We examined the E 200, the bottom model, which we liked for its journey consolation, however the engine is a bit anaemic and simply doesn’t have the pep clients who need to drive would really like. That’s the place the range-topping E 450 4MATIC with the M256 engine is available in. The three-litre, straight-six turbo petrol mill produces a humongous 177hp greater than the 2-litre unit within the E 200, and due to that, the E 450, with an ex-showroom worth of Rs 92.5 lakh, prices Rs 14 lakh greater than the E 200; the on-road worth is nicely north of a crore. Nonetheless, except for the upgraded powertrain and all-wheel drive (4MATIC), tools ranges stay primarily the identical. So, are the additional horses and traction price the additional rupees? The reply lies within the driving expertise.
Mercedes E 450 exterior design
Regardless of the AMG Line bundle, the E 450 doesn’t look as sporty because the AMG counterparts
The E 450 is available in AMG Line trim solely, which incorporates these 5-spoke alloy wheels; excessive profile tyres, although good for journey consolation, spoil the stance.
Visually, the E 450 LWB maintains the stately limousine aesthetic of its lesser siblings. The one variations are the trapezoid exhausts, the AMG Line-styled entrance bumpers and AMG alloys, which, wrapped in high-profile rubber within the pursuits of journey consolation, fairly frankly don’t look very sporty. In any other case, it’s in contrast to its AMG counterparts, which flaunt their muscle with aggressive bumpers, flared wheel arches and loud exhausts.
Mercedes E 450 engine and efficiency
Not as loud as full-fat AMGs, however nonetheless blisteringly fast
Easy 3.0-litre straight-six engine produces 381hp and 500Nm of torque.
On the coronary heart of the E 450 is Mercedes’ M256 engine, churning out 381hp and 500Nm of torque. Paired with a mild-hybrid system that provides a short lived 23hp increase, the E 450 rockets from 0kph to 100 in a blistering 4.5 seconds. That’s the sort of acceleration you’d anticipate from a correct AMG, but right here, it’s delivered in essentially the most refined method doable. Not like the full-fat AMG fashions with aggressive exhausts and crackling overrun sounds, the E 450 stays discreet. It doesn’t shout about its capabilities, however make no mistake – it strikes with critical intent.
The 6-cylinder engine is silky clean, and the 9-speed AT is impeccably tuned
With a claimed 0-100kph in 4.5 seconds, the E 450 is fast.
The 9-speed automated transmission is impeccably tuned, delivering virtually imperceptible shifts in Consolation mode however responding with urgency once you put your foot down. Extra than simply efficiency, there’s one thing to be mentioned a couple of six-cylinder engine, which, fairly frankly, is even turning into a rarity within the Mercedes world. A straight-six feels a lot smoother, a lot extra easy than a four-cylinder, and it’s the velvety punch, the lusty energy that marks out this motor. It additionally sounds a lot sweeter and richer than a four-cylinder, reminding you there’s one thing particular underneath the hood. The opposite ace up its sleeve is the 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system, including a reassuring layer of safety when pushing arduous or tackling free surfaces.
Mercedes E 450 journey and dealing with
Journey high quality isn’t as plush because the 5 Collection however strikes a greater stability between sporty and cozy
Lengthy-wheelbase automobiles typically battle with floor clearance, however not the E-Class – it glides over most pace breakers with out scraping its underside.
Journey consolation has at all times been a core energy of the E-Class, and this newest model, just like the E 200, stays completely top-class. It soaks up bumps, undulations and every thing Mumbai roads throw at it with ease. Nonetheless, dare I say, the journey isn’t fairly as plush as the brand new 5 Collection, which has sacrificed somewhat of its signature sporty edge for an additional diploma of consolation.
What’s exceptional in regards to the E 450 is that it hasn’t sacrificed something. It feels sporty, nimble and agile with out compromising on consolation – a uncommon stability that Mercedes has completely nailed.
Dealing with and agility are spectacular for a automotive of this dimension
The E 450 is such a pleasure to drive, you’ll be comfortable to commerce the luxurious again seat for the joys behind the wheel.
In fact, having a powerful engine is one factor, however with the ability to absolutely exploit that energy is one other. And that’s the place the E 450 really shines. The physique management is excellent, the dealing with exact, and the agility spectacular for a automotive of this dimension. However what actually stands out is the steering. Mercedes has aced it – it’s that excellent mix of accuracy, suggestions and lightness, making it easy to manoeuvre at gradual speeds whereas nonetheless being participating once you choose up the tempo.
Mercedes E 450 inside and options
No different automotive in its class comes near the E-Class when it comes to rear seat consolation
However right here’s the query: at gradual speeds or in visitors, is it actually the motive force’s seat you need to be in? I ease myself into the again seat to remind myself why the E-Class is the phase’s bestseller within the first place.
Step inside, and the E 450’s inside is a masterclass in luxurious. The dashboard is dominated by Mercedes’ Superscreen – a shocking mixture of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.4-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch passenger show. Whereas the tech is spectacular, Mercedes has taken a largely buttonless method, which means even primary capabilities like local weather management require navigating menus. It’s glossy however sometimes irritating.
The selfie digicam within the dashboard for video calls is neat, although one for the rear-passengers might need been extra applicable.
Rear-seat consolation is the place the E-Class really distances itself from rivals, particularly the 5 Collection. On this division, nothing comes fairly as shut. The long-wheelbase variant provides limousine-like legroom, however it’s not simply the house – it’s how Mercedes has used it. The reclining rear seats, which tilt from 24 to 36 levels, make an enormous distinction in consolation, permitting passengers to stretch out in a near-business-class place. Pair that with the chauffeur bundle, which helps you to electrically transfer the entrance passenger seat ahead when unoccupied, and you may comfortably sit cross-legged – simply as you’d at dwelling.
The place the 5 Collection falters, the E-Class excels. BMW’s new 5 Collection LWB has softened its journey to attraction to chauffeur-driven consumers, however it nonetheless doesn’t supply the identical seat recline, legroom, or sheer sense of indulgence. One key space the place the 5 Collection loses out is the lack of rear sunshades–within the E-Class, you get electrically operated sunshades throughout, together with a rear sunblind, enhancing privateness and luxury.
The E-Class continues to be the reigning champ when it comes to rear-seat expertise on this phase.
The Burmester 4D encompass sound system with Dolby Atmos additional elevates the expertise, turning the E-Class’ cabin right into a rolling live performance corridor. After which, there’s an fascinating fashionable contact – Mercedes has included a selfie and video digicam on the dashboard. It’s nice for video calls, although one might argue a rear-seat digicam for executives attending Zoom conferences would have made extra sense.
In the end, the E-Class is the posh sedan to beat. For many house owners, this will probably be a chauffeur-driven automotive from Monday to Friday, however when the weekend arrives, there’s greater than sufficient underneath the hood to tempt them into the motive force’s seat.
Mercedes E 450 worth and verdict
The E450 4MATIC is an ideal mix sportiness and luxury with out compromising both
The E 450 4MATIC is the last word stealth weapon. It’s received the facility and acceleration to rival an AMG however with out the loud styling and exhaust theatrics. It delivers every thing the E 53 AMG does in real-world driving: easy energy, a rewarding drive and a stage of consolation no sports activities sedan can match. Until you really crave the total AMG expertise, the E 450 provides 90 % of the efficiency with 100% of the practicality. It’s the considering man’s AMG – a automotive that permits you to take pleasure in critical efficiency whereas flying underneath the radar.
The way in which it blends sportiness and luxury with out compromising both is one thing not even the cheaper 5 Collection can match. Dear it’s, however that’s the fee you pay for getting the most effective of each worlds.
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