If ever there were a car deserving of an award then the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon must be it. That combination of class, good looks and superb driving ability has certainly proved hard to beat over the years and has brought about somewhat of a race between the big three German manufacturers of Mercedes, BMW and Audi as well as helping Jaguar up their game in their desire to compete.
It was no surprise therefore when the news arrived up here in MotorMartin Towers that the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Saloon has been named Car of the Year at the UK Car of the Year Awards 2017, voted for by a panel of 27 of the country’s most influential motoring journalists.
Krishan Bodhani, Head of smart and Product Management, Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, shared with MotorMartin that: “The E-Class is one of our core models; it’s at the very heart of our brand. When we unveiled the all-new car last year it showcased a host of innovative technology which makes it one of the most advanced cars in its segment. Together with its modern, comfortable cabin the E-Class presents a very desirable package – it’s great to see it getting the recognition it deserves.”
John Challen, director of the UK Car of the Year Awards, added: “Mercedes-Benz has a long history of creating impressive saloon cars and the new E-Class continues this trend, raising the bar in the executive vehicle sector. Stunning inside and out, it takes driver and passengers into the realms of luxury. The level of technology – and the attention to detail – at your fingertips is astounding.”
The new E-Class, Mercedes say, is one of the safest and most advanced cars in its segment. Alongside the high standard of specification, options include the Driving Assistance Plus package, an advanced radar cruise control, with new functionality that allows the car to follow the vehicle in front. In combination with Comand Online navigation, the system also has Speed Limit Pilot, which can adjust the vehicle’s speed to camera-detected limits or those logged in the navigation. If specified with Remote Parking Pilot, the vehicle can be parked remotely via a smartphone app. Incredible.
In 2016, Mercedes-Benz sold over 12,000 new E-Class Saloons. The E-Class Estate was launched in September 2016, while the E-Class Coupé is available to order now with first cars arriving from May 2017. For the first time, the E 220 d Saloon and Estate are available with either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive, removing perhaps the final reason for people to look elsewhere in MotorMartin’s opinion.
Mercedes have explained to MotorMartin that their new AMG E 63 and E 63 S Saloon, which has 612 hp, come with AMG’s 4MATIC+ system as standard and that this newly engineered, intelligent system brings together the advantages of various drive configurations, including a Drift mode (only on E 63 S) that makes the car rear-wheel drive.
To complete the new range, the E-Class Cabriolet and Mercedes-AMG E 63 Estate will have their world premieres at the Geneva Motor Show in March and is well worth waiting for.
For more information on the E-Class range, or to find your local retailer, MotorMartin certainly recommends that you seek out and visit: www.Mercedes-Benz.co.uk.
Where will you go?