The lights now come as one unit, with LED lights as standard. There is also an attractive LED pattern on the daytime running lights. The side of the new E Class is further enhanced by body lines that give the vehicle a longer look. Also, the back has been subtly changed, with most of the changes being made on the coupé and cabriolet models. The AMG now has a more aggressive ‘A frame’ front bumper, which looks awesome. The AMG body package will also be available for the other models. Although Mercedes owners like their vehicles to lead the field in all matters, don’t change too much too fast, or they will let you know in no uncertain terms what they think. That said, I believe that Mercedes kept this in mind when it upgraded the interior. The interior now boasts a new steering wheel, a reworked console and a variety of finishes. Quality is of the greatest importance, and this is very obvious in the E Class. Ergonomically, Mercedes still leads the way and, thankfully, the ‘iPad slab’ has made way for an in-dash infotainment unit that is much more pleasing to the eye.

The biggest surprise for me was that Mercedes-Benz has left only two engine derivatives unchanged in the E Class, namely the E 250 CDI and the E 500, which still deliver the same power. The E 200, however, delivers 30Nm more, and this makes a big difference on the road. The new E 250 now delivers 255kW at 350Nm and, with this new technology, this also makes a big difference on the road. The old E 350 has been replaced by the new E 400 V6 delivering 245kW at 480Nm. The E 350 CDI has been replaced with the E 350 BlueTEC. This uses the same engine as the S Class and delivers 185kW at 620Nm. For me, as a diesel fan, the best news is the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. This is the first-ever diesel hybrid from the Mercedes-Benz stable as well as the first in this specific segment. To top it all, no changes have been made to the body panels or to cabin or boot size in order to accommodate the new technology. Power delivery is 170kW (150kW from the engine and 20kW from the electric motor) at 590Nm, and all this is available right out of the blocks.

Fuel consumption while testing the vehicle over mountain passes and with hard driving came to 6.7l/100km. On the same route, fuel consumption for the E 250 CDI was 8.1l/100km. I did not drive the coupes or cabriolets, and only did a short drive in the magnificent E 63 AMG. Thus, I will not give an opinion on any of them, except to say that they are all magnificent cars and I look forward to testing them all. Most of my driving was done in the E 250 CDI and the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. I found the E 250 CDI and E 250 petrol a bit sluggish, but, then, that is what you get after you have driven the E 300 BlueTEC HYBRID. ‘Sluggish’ still means a time of 7.9 seconds for the E 200 to reach 100kph, with the HYBRID doing it in 7.5 seconds. What was really noticeable was the driving comfort of all the E Class models, as well as the surefootedness on any road surface. We had the opportunity to do some dynamic driving through cones on the Stellenbosch airfield, and it was here that one realises what superior technology is all about. I was amazed by the comfort, and the space for passengers sitting in the back.

The E Class is only one of a few cars that can take more than two sets of golf clubs in the boot without any effort. Safety and technology are at the forefront of development at Mercedes-Benz and the E Class has it all. What are impressive are the assistance systems fitted as standard, such as COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, which is a radar-based collision warning system with Adaptive Brake Assist. Also part of the standard equipment is ATTENTION ASSIST, which is now able to warn the driver of inattentiveness and drowsiness across a wider speed range, as well as inform him or her about level of fatigue and the amount of driving time that has elapsed since the last break. The E Class is loaded with standard equipment, but, as is the norm with most premium luxury vehicles, there is a list as long as your arm of optional equipment with which to individualise your Mercedes. Mercedes says the E Class is more efficient, more intelligent, and has more emotional appeal. I would add: more modern, and again leading the premium luxury segment.