Louth Motors: New Mercedes a truly sublime car

Some words are used, overused perhaps, when describing cars. Sleek, sporty, stylish, dynamic, premium - you know them well.

In the context of the car and its direct competitors these words can be used nonchalantly when in fact they should be reserved for something special when comparing against all cars.

The only word that can truly mark a car out from all cars is the word sublime. I can’t think of a better word than that and when used correctly and appropriately it really can’t be used that.

Take the new Mercedes E-Class, Mercedes’ best selling model ever, shifting over 13 million units since the E-Class name was first used in 1993.

The E-class can actually trace its DNA as far back as 1953 to the W120 model – this latest “6th” generation E model is called the W214.

I personally own a W212 model from 2012 and even now when I take my parents in the car they always prefer it to the slew of new cars I get that they ride in.

The luxury, limo feel in the back makes them feel spoilt, which indeed they are. The feel and build quality is incredible and my Dad always remarks “why would you ever sell it”?

He is right of course, but that’s probably something Mercedes wouldn’t like to hear, as they want to sell more vehicles even though the Mercedes Group as a whole sold 2.49M vehicles last year.

They certainly know how to make and sell cars customers want and lust for. From the moment I sat behind the wheel of the new E-Class the only word that could be used is, you’ve guessed, sublime.

It is a glorious place to be and everyone who occupies any seat is getting the best that Mercedes can give.

The new shape isn’t radically different from the previous model but the bar has been raised as it is every time a new E-Class is released.

Marketers are very adept at coming up with ingenious descriptions for the latest car and can draw your attention to an aspect of the car you’d overlook or struggle to pick out.

The star design feature, for me, is the Mercedes star-shaped design of the rear lights. I also liked the illuminated, retractable door handles that let you know from the start that you are about to experience something special.

The interior gets the benefit of the strides forward Mercedes has made with the EQE/EQS and S Models being as up to date as possible. Materials are first rate and the ambient light will blow you away whatever colour you decide to choose that day or hour.

Above: Interior of the Mercedes E300e AMG Line Plus

I thought the different air vent materials whereby the side ones are metal and the centre ones were plastic was a cost saving made in the wrong place. My test model had a huge hyperscreen that makes the whole dashboard effectively a screen.

The whole show is controlled by the MBUX system that listens to and controls everything. It is impressive, and pricey, but is it really necessary?

The multitude of apps available is astonishing and you can spend to your hearts content on them and I’ll concede that the front passenger who has their own personal screen will appreciate it.

An available feature for the always-available executive is to use the all-watching camera looking at the driver to participate in Zoom calls. Eh, I’ll avoid that as I want to escape being connected when I’m driving. Thankfully, the most used controls get proper buttons and knobs.

The new version ticks the longer and wider buttons with only the height and boot space remaining the same as the outgoing model.

The hybrid models robs 170litres of boot space reducing it to 370litres that is, surprisingly, in the small category.

As a saloon/sedan shape there is an inherent, practicality deficit over a hatchback. This is ameliorated by the ability to lower the back seats allowing the car swallow my trusty bicycle (front wheel still on which is a plus)– which I can’t do in my existing E-class as the seats are fixed and wasn’t an option ticked by the original buyer – big mistake.

Mercedes truly are the masters of making the desirable things you want an option. But those folding seats do give an awful lot of flexibility if you need it, and if you do need that flexibility you may want to consider the E-Class estate instead of which I’m a known fan.

The sublime word is specially reserved for the drive and ride in the E-Class. The world intrusion exclusion properties of the E-Class are astounding. All the normal sources of noise you hear in the cabin are gone. It’s like as if you have left this world when you enter an E-Class.

The performance of the car will depend on the choice of engine you buy (currently 6 choices) but on a motorway or a back road the immediate delivery of power is impressive and the handling in bends at any speed is just so reassuringly comforting for the driver.

Another aspect of E-Class driving is that you want to savour every drive, prolonging the experience and the only way to do that is not to drive fast or on the edge. Every trip is so enjoyable.

I drove the E300e petrol hybrid model in AMG Line Plus trim – the only trim – and there is an equivalent diesel model as well. A 2.0l petrol engine and a 127 bhp electric motor power it. All-electric range is over 100kms and the car can get to 100km/h in just 6.4 seconds. My fuel return was 6.9l/100kms.

The most joyous experience with this car was starting it and seeing an estimated range of over 1,000kms to empty - if you use a lighter foot than I did. It is amazing you can cover that distance in a car this size in complete luxury and I’ll never cease to marvel at that.

The E-class is the epitome of sublime with tons of sleekness and overflowing with luxury. It’s the best all-round car I’ve driven this year.

The downside, here it is, is price. The range starts at €79,785 for the petrol PHEV model and it is unbelievable that the petrol and diesel only models are dearer.

No Mercedes is ever going to be described as cheap and in this current mad motoring world where more mainstream cars can cost between €50k to €60k it represents great value.

Even with that explained context I can’t believe I can record that. When and if I replace my current E-Class I hope I can do so with this model, it’s divine.