Verdict

The brand new E 300 e is a good govt saloon that’s loaded with tech. It gives sturdy sufficient EV vary and good effectivity, however we wouldn’t go for this top-spec trim; AMG Line Version is best worth. Nonetheless, the qualities that makes this automotive so interesting are inherent to all plug-in E-Courses. It’s refined, snug, spacious and economical, with high quality and tech that’s onerous to fault.

Covid-19 has shuffled again the launch of Mercedes’ new E-Class barely. We tried it final 12 months in left-hand drive type, however that is our first likelihood to pattern a full UK mannequin, in what is going to little doubt be a preferred engine and trim combo: E 300 e EQ Energy AMG Line.

In truth, our automotive is definitely in AMG Line Evening Version Premium Plus trim, a little bit of a mouthful that ups the worth to £55,040, in addition to the tools tally.

Nevertheless, the basics stay, which incorporates the E 300 e’s petrol plug-in hybrid powertrain. This consists of a 208bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit working together with a 13.5kWh lithium-ion battery and a 120bhp electrical motor for a mixed output of 316bhp.

Mercedes’ work with its plug-ins needs to be famous, as a result of with a claimed vary of 34 miles on electrical energy alone there’s helpful zero-emission functionality, even when it may not be fairly as vital as smaller fashions such because the A 250 e.

Nevertheless, with CO2 emissions of 38g/km it does imply that this govt saloon falls into the 12 per cent Profit-in-Type firm automotive tax bracket, so even in pricier Evening Version Premium Plus spec, this automotive will nonetheless solely price increased fee taxpayers £2,199 a 12 months as a enterprise automobile; an equal E 220 d is available in at £6,312. So the advantages of plug-in energy to enterprise customers are evident, however they stretch past a easy tax bust.

With 440Nm of torque from the electrical motor alone, regardless of the E 300 e’s 1,990kg kerbweight (a piece of which is accounted for by the battery) the automotive is surprisingly pressing to speed up while you use even solely a average quantity of throttle.

The motor fills in for the turbocharged petrol engine till it’s into its stride, however there’s stable tempo to faucet into with a soothing edge, as a result of the combustion engine doesn’t should work fairly as onerous. The 0-62mph dash takes 5.7 seconds.

The flip facet is that when the battery is empty the engine does then should work fairly onerous, and it’s observe turns into coarser in consequence. Like with any PHEV, it’s essential to plug in as typically as you possibly can and maximise the automotive’s potential; Mercedes claims an official goal of as much as 176.6mpg.

The nine-speed automated gearbox is tremendous easy in regular use, the one slight blot on the copybook being when the battery is near empty, the place the powertrain is just a bit jerky switching between energy sources.

It’s enterprise as typical in terms of trip and dealing with – the additional weight of the PHEV generally compromises the trip over lumps and bumps the dampers struggling to regulate the automotive’s mass because it strikes round, whereas the steering is nicer and fewer resistive than a BMW 5 Sequence’, even when the E-Class doesn’t fairly boast the identical stage of agility. It’s refined, principally snug and acquits itself effectively although.

What’s new – and takes some getting used to – is the steering wheel and its touch-sensitive controls. The wheel’s 4 ‘spokes’ now home the completely different inputs for fundamental capabilities resembling the amount, cruise management and the settings to customize the format of the digital sprint and transfer across the system.

You now swipe and scroll, with the panels providing haptic suggestions. It’s a departure even from Mercedes’ contact pads on the earlier E-Class, and can take some getting used to for some, however a minimum of the system it controls is pretty much as good as ever.

Merc’s MBUX infotainment is on par with the very best techniques within the class, that includes beautiful, sharp graphics, fast responses to your inputs and loads of tech – together with options particular to the PHEV right here, resembling charging factors within the nav and different vitality shows. The touchpad enter and touchscreen imply it’s simple to navigate, thanks additionally to the logical menu format.

This top-spec AMG Line Evening Version Premium Plus encompasses a pair of 12.3-inch shows, with augmented actuality nav, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Wi-fi charging, a 360-degree digital camera, parking sensors, multi-beam LED headlights, local weather management, heated seats, keyless operation (together with a powered tailgate), some gloss black exterior trim and a panoramic roof.

Security tech is sweet too, with AEB, pedestrian detection, blind spot help and visitors signal help, so the up to date E-Class inherits its predecessor’s full five-star Euro NCAP security ranking.

However whereas this top-spec trim stage will get loads of premium package, we are able to’t assist however really feel that AMG Line Version will get the important thing stage of apparatus you’d need, however at £46,230 represents significantly better worth for cash.

Each automobiles take the identical one hour and half-hour to vary from a wallbox due to a 7.2kW on-board charger, or 5 hours from a three-pin plug.

Nevertheless, because of the automotive’s battery boot area does take successful, reduce from 540 litres in customary petrol and diesel fashions to simply 370 litres on this PHEV – 10 litres lower than some household hatchbacks.