GERMAN MARQUE, INDIAN MAKE
The 2021 Mercedes E-Class adds a dash of sportiness to its effortless opulence
The Mercedes E-Class donned a new avatar in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. The luxury sedan maybe a notch lower than the iconic S-Class but doesn’t discount the pleasures of the latter. In fact, it’s the hybrid fruit of two passions, the important back-seat traveller who ponders the next move in a bespoke suit and the wild-child who tosses his blazer aside for a polo shirt and leaves town for a weekend rendezvous. This can be attributed to its sporty exteriors and interiors, which are almost an anomaly.
Style and Substance
The 2021 E-Class isn’t as stylish as the Jaguar XF, but it does put in some honest hours in the gym to muscle up. The body is chiselled with lines and dents that give it a sharp feature, while the power domes on the bonnet add an intimidating visage. The new LED headlamps are sleek and have a pair of distinct chrome highlights; the taillights are slimmer too. The diamond grille is nice and large, with the large, silver Mercedes logo nestled cosily in between. It is available in three variants: The E200 petrol, the E220 diesel, and the top-line AMG Line trim E350 diesel. With interiors splashed in refreshingwhite upholstery and blue accents on the dash, doors, and other surfaces, the E350 is like a capsule from the future. However, the blue may not organically blend with all the colour variants that the model comes in. The driver’s cockpit has a beautiful steering wheel, with white leather that could prove to be a cleanliness freak’s nightmare. The wheel has some handy quick-access controls, which are an improvement from its predecessor. The digital instrument cluster and the infotainment system are housed in their respective 12.3-inch displays upfront. Even though this is a classic case of a rear-seat comfort car, but the inclusion of smart Energizing Seat Kinetics technology helps drivers adjust their posture during long drives to reduce fatigue and strain.
Cool Comfort
The rear occupant enjoys a saloon experience here, with ample headroom and legroom. Oddly, there’s a miscalculated single cup-holder present between the rear seats, but the handy Samsung tablet that controls air-conditioning, ambient lighting, and infotainment works well to off set an oddball feature. The large in-car space is made to look even bigger with the grand panoramic sunroof. The technology employed in the car is quite impressive. Mercedes delivers perfectly with the MBUX software that accepts voice commands and connects to most smartphone operating systems. The 590-watt Burmester audio system is impressive, as are the safety features, which include EBD Brake-Assist, Traction Control, and an incredibly handy 360-degree parking camera.
Tried and Tested
We got behind the wheel of the E200 petrol variant that comes with a rather quiet 2-litre engine that is paired with a 9-speed automatic gearbox. Handy driving modes ensure that the car responds well to erratic city traffic and gives you the freedom to test the 0-100 kmph in 7.5 seconds. An additionally agile Sport+ Mode is present to let you up the ante when you’re on that joyride. However, it’s important to note that the joyride doesn’t mean that you pack too heavy because the boot has a dedicated space for a spare tire, which costs a fair amount of room in the main storage volume. The boot isn’t powered either, which means you have to do some amount of heavy lifting. But then again, there are those incredibly comfortable seats that will welcome you back to feel pampered again. The 2021 Mercedes E-Class has continued the endeavour of the 2017 model by making it more radical. It just keeps going from strength to strength, challenging the variants from BMW, Audi, and Volvo while proudly flaunting its Mercedes identity. It is the most seen Mercedes in India and is a near-perfect amalgamation of comfort, technology and to some extent driving pleasure. What’s more, we are just happy that it bears the proud Make in India label from its Pune plant.