By Paul Gover.
When Mercedes-Benz does a facelift it delivers much more than just the traditional new headlamps and a change on the tail.
In the case of the latest E-Class update, pitched right into the long-term heartland of the famed German brand, it’s the technology that tells the tale.
There are some external visual updates, including the latest AMG sporty-ish tweaks led by big alloy wheels, but the changes really arrive when you open the door.
The dashboard has an expansive infotainment system and digital dashboard for the driver, built around twin 12.3-inch digital screens, with touch control in the centre, and the steering wheel has all sorts of buttons and switches for infotainment, driving assist and the rest.
So tech is the tweak, and every E-Class car comes as standard – apart from the AMG stuff for feel-good impact – a Driving Assistance Package Plug that wraps everything from active radar cruise control, stop-and-go assist that works down to 60km/h and even when the vehicle in front stops, as well as cross-track detection for the brake assist package, active blind-spot assistance and even evasive steering assistance.
What it all means is that you only need to make a minimal input in a threatening situation before the technology arrives to help and, if you’re missing ahead of the action, it will really take control.
It’s all about the road to autonomous cars, even though they are in the distant future for most Australians, with cars that do the thinking and – sadly – a lot of the driving for you.
My test car is the E 300 coupe, a smooth looker that justifies its $117,400 starting price with all the tech, niceties including air suspension and full leather trim. It also has the wireless charging I’ve come to love in prestige cars, as well as
But …
Yes, even on a Benz there can be a but.
In this case it’s the 2-litre petrol turbo engine, which only makes 190 kiloWatts with 370 Newton-metres of torque. The numbers are less than the Mini Countryman I drove last week, although admittedly that was a JCW performance model, but that’s not the point.
“Is that thing a diesel?,” my great mate Derek asks when he arrives while I’m warming the Benz.
It’s not. And he is not happy. Nor am I.
The engine is noisy and coarse and not particularly responsive or powerful for such a big car.
Benz will say it’s efficient, in fuel use and emissions, and I know it has been aimed at the inevitable hybrid buyers who will be getting electric assistance on their E-Class cars, now and into the future.
So it ticks a bunch of boxes, and the four-cylinder layout is shared with the E200 and a bunch of other Benz models.
But that doesn’t make it right, or good, and it would be enough to stop me buying the E 300 coupe.
And it’s a lovely car in so many other ways. It’s got a loping country gait that is enjoyable and rewarding, it is super quiet on a cruise, and it has enough space in the back seats for real adults and not just tweenagers at a pinch.
It also looks great, even if the view from inside is a bit cramped and you really need the parking assistance systems and the brilliant all-around camera view. On that subject, the 84-bulb LED headlamps are totally brilliant and give maximum lighting with minimal distraction or glare for people coming the other way.
So the E 300 is a case of good, but …
MERCEDES-BENZ E 300 COUPE
Position: smooth mid-sized luxury coupe
Price: from $117,400
Engine: 2-litre petrol turbo
Power: 190kW/370Nm
Transmission: 9-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Safety: 5-star ANCAP
Plus: great looks, loaded with tech
Minus: let down by coarse engine
THE TICK: not for me
Score: 6/10
