• First Drive: Mercedes-Benz E-Class

    by  • April 3, 2013 • Car Reviews, First Drives

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    2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Elegance exterior front

    The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has arrived in Ireland with prices starting from €44,540

    Mercedes-Benz is synonymous with luxury and that premium association is carried through in the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, which I had the pleasure of driving at its Irish launch last week.

    The E-Class accounts for about 50 per cent of Mercedes-Benz sales in Ireland so to say that it’s an important model here is an understatement.

    The Mercedes-Benz E-Class already has a loyal following but the German car maker is hoping to extend its appeal with the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Avantgarde variant.

    While the Classic and Elegance models channel sophistication with their traditional bonnet-mounted star and triple-louvre grill, the Avantgarde has a completely different driver in mind.

    Inspired by the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Avantgarde has a livelier look and feel to it. With a sports-style grille and inset star, Mercedes-Benz is hoping it will ‘capture the affections of younger, sportier buyers never before listed amongst the ranks of Mercedes-Benz owners’.

    2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Avantgarde exterior front

    Mercedes-Benz is hoping the all new Avantgarde variant will attract a younger buyer to the E-Class

    Five versions of the restyled Mercedes-Benz E-Class are available in Ireland – three diesel and two petrol engines, including the Mercedes-Benz E300 BlueTec Hybrid Automatic.

    We got to take the Mercedes-Benz E-Class E220 CDi Elegance model for a quick drive at its Irish launch last week and its sheer luxury proved to be a welcome haven from the unseasonal hail and snow showers the day threw at us.

    With its silk beige leather interior and a dash finished with a rich glossy wood surround, coupled with oodles of leg room, the cabin in the test car proved to be a very inviting place.

    In fact, it’s a very serene environment, with the air of calmness carried through in beautiful style details such as the analog clock and the vintage looking radio dial – of course there’s nothing vintage about the technology in this car though.

    2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior cockpit

    The interior in the Mercedes-Benz E-Class is very luxurious

    As well as the media interface, the model I was driving was fitted with heated front seats, active park assist, and comfort suspension as standard, as well as a leather multi-function steering wheel.

    The E-Class is a big car and despite this it glides effortlessly along the road, be it in city traffic or on the motorway. It’s not lacking in oomph when needed though. I was driving an automatic model but a manual version is also available.

    Prices for the Elegance automatic start from €53,040 and it carries annual road tax of €270.

    Prices for the E-Class range start from €44,540, with all diesel models qualifying for the €270 annual road tax band. The Mercedes-Benz E200 BlueEFFICIENCY petrol starts from €47,015, with annual road tax of €390. Meanwhile, the most efficient car in the range, the E300 BlueTec Hybrid Automatic starts from €53,020, with annual road tax of €190.

    Visit the Mercedes-Benz Ireland website or its Facebook page for further details.