One car for all
The Mercedes Benz E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is one of the best cars in the market today
other leather-clad interiors. There are electronic memory seats for both driver and (front) passenger, the steering wheel is electronically adjustable, while the centre console is devoid of too much clutter with the gear stick mounted by the steering column a la 1960’s cars. To have the gear stick on the steering column feels like the most natural placement as you can operate it with just your fingers without having to move your entire arm to select a gear. It’s handy when you need to make quick U-turns in a tight alley while holding up traffic.
The interior also comes with a panoramic sliding sunroof that offers a feeling of spaciousness, and rear passengers will appreciate the front headrest mounted screens and personal Bluetooth-enabled headphones that allow them to watch their favourite DVDs or listen to their preferred songs and music. It is no wonder that owners of the E200 and E250 felt shortchanged when the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid was officially unveiled.
Being a Mercedes-Benz, you expect it to drive and perform well, and the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid doesn’t disappoint at all. We do wish there was a button to turn off the automatic Start/Stop function, but after some time you learn to adapt your driving style to it. There is an energy meter that indicates how much electric power you are consuming before the engine is summoned back to life, so you learn to feather the throttle just enough to keep it running on electric power. There is also a ‘sailing’ mode that works at speeds below 160kmph, whereby the engine shuts down and the desired speed is maintained by the electric motor alone until the battery needs recharging.
For those unfamiliar with hybrid powertrains, the battery is recharged when you lift your foot off the accelerator (deceleration), or during braking. You also get the typical spongy feel to the brake pedal that has become a characteristic of hybrid cars, which is annoying and not very comforting at first, but like everything else, you get used to it.
Power is, of course, available in abundance. According to Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s official website, the engine alone offers 201 horsepower but when combined with the electric motor, it takes the figure up to a total of 227 horsepower. The 500Nm of torque it produces is equal to the E60 BMW M5 which is powered by a gargantuan V10 engine.
Around town the car is quiet and economical. On the highways, the BlueTEC Hybrid offers enough power to comfortably cruise at autobahn-friendly speeds. But what’s really impressive though is that even at highly illegal speeds, this car is capable of travelling up to 1,100 kilometres before needing a refuel. And let’s not forget that Mercedes-Benz Malaysia once drove this same model from Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok on a single tank of diesel – a distance of about 1,500 kilometers!
As a final conclusion, you really cannot beat a car that offers power, good looks and economy - complemented with some fun gadgets and toys and at a price that is difficult to ignore. We particularly love the tray in the boot that comes in handy when you buy small items from the grocery store and don’t want them rolling around the boot. But that is just one of many features this car has in store for its owner, and the list just goes on and on. Unless you consider the very impressive MercedesBenz S400 Hybrid, the E300 BlueTEC Hybrid really is the best car you can buy today, hands down.