Mercedes-Benz Malaysia says it has plans to expand the W213 E-Class range in the country, and these will include the introduction of both hybrid and performance variants. Speaking at the launch of the car earlier today, MBM’s vice president of marketing, Mark Raine, said that the E 200, E 250 and E 300 won’t be the only W213 offerings to be sold here.
We asked him if these included bringing in the E 350 e plug-in hybrid, since the company was already looking at the C 350 e version. Raine confirmed that there were plans to introduce the new E-Class hybrid as a successor for the outgoing W212 E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid.
“Yes, there are plans to eventually bring in the E 350 e, because we want to continue our hybrid initiative,” he said, adding it was still too early to say when the car would make it here. Though seen in Detroit and showcased at the international drive of the W213 back in March, the variant hasn’t entered the market yet, but is expected to do so later in the year.
The E 350 e works with the same M274 DE 20 AL 2.0 litre petrol mill as seen on the C 350 e, with the same output as well (208 hp and 350 Nm, identical to that seen on the regular E 250), but there are slight differences to its motor and total system output numbers.
On this one, the electric motor is rated at 87 hp/440 Nm (80 hp/340 Nm on the C 350 e), and combined power output for the car is 281 hp and 550 Nm (275 hp and 600 Nm on the C 350 e). Juiced by a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with a total capacity of 6.2 kWh, the all-electric range of the E 350 e is quoted as being over 30 km. The battery can be recharged from an external power source in around 1.5 hours via a wallbox, or three hours via a standard domestic power socket.
Raine also reaffirmed that the C 350 e is set to go on sale here. In January, he had told this publication that the company was exploring the possibility of the plug-in hybrid, and though no time-frame was again mentioned, the arrival of the C 350 e may not be too far away. We’ve learnt that colour options have been made available for the variant, and dealers have started taking initial orders for the car.
Close to home, the C 350 e – along with the S 500 e – is currently being sold in Thailand. Both plug-in variants are locally-assembled in the Land of Smiles, the first PHEVs to have gone that route when they began production earlier in the year.
On the performance variant front, we asked if the local E-Class programme will follow the path taken by the C-Class with the introduction of the Mercedes-AMG C 63 S. Raine said the new AMG E 63 – which is due to be launched soon – has already been earmarked as a future model. “You’ve seen that we’ve introduced AMG models such as the C 63 and S 63 Coupe, so you can expect that we will do the same with the E-Class version when it appears,” he said.
Finally, on the topic of diesels, Raine said that there are no plans to introduce any diesel variants for the W213 in Malaysia. Looks like we won’t be seeing the new OM 654 oil burner, the replacement for the 2.1 litre OM 651 seen on the E 300 BlueTEC Hybrid, now that the new E-Class hybrid has gone the petrol route.
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Most likely due to the B10 biodiesel which is not compatible with the modern engines of Benz… Which Mercedes Benz Malaysia championed initially but why they didn’t want to bring in the oil burners, only they know
MB diesel engine oso have some cheating device and MBM knew MY pipu loath VW’s dieselgate. So…
The car in the pics…issit S or C…seriously how to distinguish between the three…is there any crash course that we can attend…anybody please…
Quite easy – just look at the air intakes on the front bumper.
our euro5 can’t be used meh?
The new OM654 are Euro-6 standard. Sure, Euro-5 would run on it, but not with the best performance.
hope it will get good tax incentives
But Mercedes-Benz Malaysia please please please for God’s sake at that price include the Distronic Plus package in our cars.
Not just Distronic+.
The entire Driving Assistance Package Plus along with Drive Pilot and remote parking should be made default in the higher end options, or at least an optional package.
Thank You Msia Govt. B10 Biodiesel could damage the modern diesel engine. Mercedes don’t want to ruin their brands image and reputation due to the fuel quality mixed up with excessive of palm oil.
Probably B10 Biodiesel are specially make for proton advanced diesel engine by our Msia Govt. Big master plan to sell well the local palm oil for proton usage. Win-win competition.
Mercedes also cheat on their diesel engine emission, don’t try to stir sh*t and blame on B10.
Its just a lame excuse cuz MBM knows the market for their diesel cars r too small economic scale to invest in getting their engines tuned for B10. Just look at Brazil market where the volume is bigger so it justifies them to tuned their engines for ED95 usage.
So dun take MBMs or BMWs word that they cannot do anything for B10. They just dun want to only.
Let’s face it – diesel burns dirtier by nature. There’s no sugarcoating that fact.
It’s not just Volkswagen AG. It spans across almost every diesel vehicle on the markets.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/21/all-top-selling-cars-break-emissions-limits-in-real-world-tests
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/apr/23/diesel-cars-pollution-limits-nox-emissions
Hybridization’s the future – there’s no denying it. It’s just a matter of when it’ll become mainstream.
such a shiok sendiri statement to say proton can build a palm oil sustainable engine…lol..while the traditional engine cant even buil properly..
Jepunis cant even built safe airbags you tak bash pulak
Topkek
For the prices to be paid to drive one of these W213 beauties one would have thought that the distronic plus with steering assist should be fitted as standard equipment. Disappointingly so they were not included with the W205.
you can get what you want…is only about money..are you willing to pay 400k-450k for full spec w205??
You do realize that the C300 is essentially already a full-spec vehicle, just that it doesn’t have:
1. Airmatic
2. Driving Assistance Package Plus (which includes Distronic+, lane keep assist, steering assist, BAS+)
I emailed Daimler once, they said it’s a 2600 euro add on and only available for CBU models, since CKD models cannot be customized.
So it won’t be above RM400k if DAP+ was fitted to a CKD C300.
no 2 ways to sugar coat the fact that diesels still sounds like tractors, apart from the latest v6 tdi from audi….
abit out of place in an e-class in malaysia and their intended target market….
No e43?
Hmm not a good idea for plug-in at rear bumper, typically in Malaysia Road… like cucuk belakang habits.
sorry diesel car guys, you are ripped by cronies again..this time palm oil cronies..
pity those ship/boats and other machinery businesses as well..
Now thats moving forward Mercedes Malaysia.
Hi , will the E class be there at the showrooms in sabah?
Hi , will the E class be available at the showrooms in sabah?