MercE40036

With the W212 facelift, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class range has finally gone all turbo. While Mercedes-Benz has embraced the downsized force induction formula with its Kompressor (then CGI) range of engines which represent the lower end of the engine line-up, it's relatively late to the game with applying the formula to its larger engines.

So while the E 200 K became the E 200 CGI and now just called the E 200 with the new range of 2.0 litre turbo engines, and even the V8s were given the downsize and turbo treatment, the 3.0 litre and 3.5 litre V6 engines soldiered on as normally aspirated units. The 3.0 litre found in the pre-facelift W212 E300 and its larger sibling the S300L actually isn't even found in 'developing' countries anymore. While sounding pleasant when you gun it versus its four cylinder siblings, the E300 just feels gutless next to rivals like the 535i and A6 3.0 TFSI.

So the phasing out of the E300 to give way for the new E 400 is very welcome. And most interestingly, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has chosen to locally assemble the car, making it the most affordable in its class at RM493,888 versus the 535i's RM599k and A6 3.0 TFSI's RM515k price tags.

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