Light cosmetic enhancements ensure the E-class remains an elegant choice in its segment
This was our first chance to drive the facelifted Mercedes-Benz W212 E-class saloon on UK soil.Design changes are most obvious on the outside, where two of the E-class’s most distinctive (and arguably most awkward) features have been banished as the twin-headlight set-up and retro-inspired ‘Ponton’ rear haunches are replaced by amalgamated teardrop-style lights and more wedge-like rear three-quarters respectively.The traditional lamella grille is also gone, replaced by the twin-strut design already seen on the C-class, and the rear end gets a light restyling, too. Inside, there are new materials and a sprinkling of fresh details.A new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine replaces the blown 1.8 and makes the E200 (181bhp) and E250 (208bhp) a little cleaner than before, while power in the E63 AMG rises 31bhp to 549bhp.The diesel range retains the 2.1-litre four-pot in the E220 CDI (168bhp), E250 CDI (201bhp) and E300 BlueTEC Hybrid (201bhp plus 27bhp of electric power), and the 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6-powered E350 BlueTEC driven here produces 249bhp and a heady 457lb ft of torque.Three trim levels become two, with four-cylinder cars offered in both SE and AMG Sport spec (the latter adding £2495), while the V6 diesel comes solely in the sportier trim. The E200 can be had with a six-speed manual gearbox, but all others are strictly seven-speed autos.
Light cosmetic enhancements ensure the E-class remains an elegant choice in its segment
This was our first chance to drive the facelifted Mercedes-Benz W212 E-class saloon on UK soil.Design changes are most obvious on the outside, where two of the E-class’s most distinctive (and arguably most awkward) features have been banished as the twin-headlight set-up and retro-inspired ‘Ponton’ rear haunches are replaced by amalgamated teardrop-style lights and more wedge-like rear three-quarters respectively.The traditional lamella grille is also gone, replaced by the twin-strut design already seen on the C-class, and the rear end gets a light restyling, too. Inside, there are new materials and a sprinkling of fresh details.A new 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine replaces the blown 1.8 and makes the E200 (181bhp) and E250 (208bhp) a little cleaner than before, while power in the E63 AMG rises 31bhp to 549bhp.The diesel range retains the 2.1-litre four-pot in the E220 CDI (168bhp), E250 CDI (201bhp) and E300 BlueTEC Hybrid (201bhp plus 27bhp of electric power), and the 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6-powered E350 BlueTEC driven here produces 249bhp and a heady 457lb ft of torque.Three trim levels become two, with four-cylinder cars offered in both SE and AMG Sport spec (the latter adding £2495), while the V6 diesel comes solely in the sportier trim. The E200 can be had with a six-speed manual gearbox, but all others are strictly seven-speed autos.