Making that transition from internal combustion engine (ICE) to electric vehicle (EV) couldn’t be easier with the latest Mercedes-Benz E Class top variant in Malaysia, the E 350 e AMG Line.
It’s among the best combination of ICE and EV in the way it is designed, from the body styling to the internal graphics and layout.
Fine, it might not have all the striking LED (light emitting diode) design and boldness but it has enough to stand the E 350 e very much on its own.
The way the headlamps and rear lights come on when you press the key fob to open the doors or when you press it to lock; the LED lights stay on for at least two minutes supported by the big battery.
And in typical EV style, the flushed retractable door handles would pop up with accompanying light to indicate their respective presence; this is best noted in the dark.
However, in less favourable conditions such as dimly lit carparks, robbers or thieves preying on unsuspecting victims could see the opportunity to strike on seeing the door handles pop up.
The latest E Class plug-in hybrid might not see a sportier guise with even lower body aerodynamics (it remains good from 0.23 Cd) but it assumes a profile more suited to the executive clientele that it caters to.
Its largesse is clearly reflected in the big grille carrying a single louvre, chrome star motif and chrome surrounds that complement the power domes of the bonnet.
We are rather fascinated by the star motifs for the two-section rear LED light clusters – four little stars that light up during night driving or braking.
To add a slick touch to its body profile, Mercedes continues the classic cab-backward design that is best appreciated from the side.
This styling provides a smoother flowing profile that complements the slightly longer body (against the old) based on a near 30mm longer wheelbase of 2,961mm.
Stepping into the E 350 e was like doing the same entering the premium level Mercedes-Benz EV range with the MBUX Superscreen transforming it to an expansive digital hub, complemented by a dynamic LED glass surround.
The latter changes colour according to driving conditions; from the pleasant green to bright red if an imminent collision is detected, with the driver’s seatbelt activated in a series of vibrations.
The system even muted the car’s audio system so that the driver’s focus on the impending situation was given priority; a practical safety feature as it caught our attention spot on.
This is all part of the updated safety system that includes Attention Assist, which has a camera on the dashboard that records driver condition, in particular on long distance drives.
Spanning a good area of the dashboard is a glass panel that integrates the 14.4-inch central display; the driver’s 12.3-inch info panel is a standalone item.
While the set of touch controls is limited to a slim panel below the centre display, the steering wheel is a busy one with four sets of controls – two for controls to the centre display, one for phone communication and the other for cruise function.
As the slim panel was overshadowed by the large centre display, it took us a while to locate the volume control for the sound system.
Being an executive sedan of the modern era, to gain a wider range of the functions available, you need to download the Mercedes me app, which we didn’t, among others.
Despite its modern trappings, we could still relate to its Mercedes-ness in the parking brake; although you could put the car in Park via the column shift, you could also activate it via the dedicated control just below the dashboard.
Unlike our W204 C 200, it’s an all-in-one function now; you press it to activate Parking and pull it to release the Parking brake.
As a driver, we were comfortably accommodated by the leather upholstered seat with intricate longitudinal fluting; the front seats come standard with climatised function and three-stage ventilation and heating.
The panoramic sunroof that’s exclusive to the RM418,888 E 350 e variant adds that extra touch of luxury along with the Burmester 4D surround sound system backed by a 15-channel 730-watt amplifier and 21 speakers.
All these added to the pleasure of driving the latest top E-Class model in urban centres and a winding road drive to Ulu Yam for lunch.
In urban centres, driving the hybrid E 350 e is almost as good as driving a Mercedes EV; when you move off from the traffic light, you are doing so on electric power.
This was the scenario we experienced for most of the four days that we had the E 350 e as the 100-118km range (WTLP – Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure) with a fully-charged 25.4kWh battery was used up on the first day, running errands in the city.
Although our condo saw three DC chargers being installed in recent months, we didn’t have the app to use them.
The electric motor output is rated at 129hp (95kW) and 440Nm while the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivers 204hp (150kW) and 320Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm.
In city driving, the regenerative function each time we slowed down or hit the brakes helped to charge the battery but just enough to get going from the lights.
On the winding road drive, there was that initial electric power drive before the tachometer came to life to suggest the engine had taken over in powering the car.
The electric discharge and charging function are also clearly provided for in the tachometer in the form of colour bars; white for the former and blue for the latter.
Once the engine took over, we could tell from the slight engine note as we are no longer on silent electric power drive.
This hybrid arrangement meant we used less than a quarter level of the fuel tank over the four days; had we fully charged up the battery each day, we might not even have to use any petrol at all!
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A second opinion
SPECIFICATIONS
Mercedes-Benz E 350 e AMG Line
Engine: 1,999cc, four-cylinder, turbocharged
Maximum power: 204hp/150kW at 6,100rpm
Maximum torque: 320Nm from 2,000 to 4,000rpm
Electric motor output: 129hp/95kW
Electric motor torque: 440Nm
Maximum system power output: 313hp/230kW
Maximum system torque output: 550Nm
Transmission: 9G-Tronic automatic
Acceleration (0-100kph): 6.4 seconds
Top speed: 236kph
All electric range: 100-118km combined (WTLP)
Features: Airbags, Ambient interior lighting with dynamic LED glass surround, flush retractable doors with auto lighting when activated, panoramic sunroof, front seats with climatised function and three-stage ventilation and heating, Burmester sound system with 730-watt amplifier and 21 speakers, wide app control function, MBUX Superscreen system, star motif in rear LED light clusters, updated safety features and Driving Assistance Plus package
Price: RM418,888 (on the road without insurance)
