2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class facelift launched in India

Mercedes Benz has launched the facelifted 2014 E-Class luxury sedan in India. The car is a refresh for the E-Class line and in the next couple of years, an all new model will replace the 2014 E-Class facelift. The facelifted car is available in three variants, with Mercedes Benz choosing to focus on the hot selling variants of the car instead of launching the car with a large number of engine options. 

The car is priced at 41.5 lakh rupees for the E200 CGI petrol engined model, 44.48 lakh rupees for the E250 CDI diesel engined model and 49.5 lakh rupees for the "launch edition" model, also featuring a diesel engine. All prices reflect ex-showroom Delhi figures.  Only 100 units of the launch edition model of the 2014 E-Class will be made. 

The 2014 E-Class comes with a comprehensive makeover in terms of looks. The car gets a revamped front end, replete with new headlamps, front bumper, bonnet and grille. The three pointed star is now placed at the center of the grille (available only in Avantgarde trim: the standard spec for India currently). At the rear, the car gets new tail lamps. Also, a prominent character line runs across the flanks of the car while the alloy wheels feature a new design.

On the inside, the changes are more restrained, even a touch conservative if it can be put that way. Mercedes Benz has chosen to retain the overall design of the E-Class's interiors with the major changes being limited to a new instrumentation cluster, an analogue clock, new trim on the vents, a refreshed COMAND infotainment system, satellite navigation and a DVD player. 

The E-Class is assembled at Mercedes Benz India's assembly unit at Chakan, off Pune, through imported completely knocked down (CKD) kits. The 2014 E-Class comes with two engine options, a 2.2 liter turbo diesel engine (E250 CDI) that is good for 204 Bhp-500 Nm and a 2 liter petrol engine (E200 CGI) that outputs 184 Bhp-300 Nm. Both engines are mated to a 7 speed automatic gearbox as standard. The Direct Control suspension, said to adjust damping for better ride quality, comes as standard.  

The petrol engine propels the 2014 E-Class to 100 Kph in 7.9 seconds while the diesel engine achieves the same figure at a faster 7.5 seconds. While the petrol engined E-Class can hit a claimed top speed of 233 Kph, the diesel motor equipped model goes a step further to manage a 242 Kph claimed top speed figure. 

When it comes to safety features, the 2014 E-Class facelift offers a wide array of equipment. Airbags, ABS, Brake Assist, ASR, ESP, Hill Hold, Reverse Camera, Attention Assist and the Pre-Safe passive system are standard. Adaptive headlamps with LED technology and Automatic Park Assist features are available as optional extras.

The launch of the facelifted 2014 Mercedes Benz E-Class facelift follows the German luxury car maker's new, aggressive strategy for India. Mercedes Benz India is aiming at launching new cars soon after after the car models's global unveils. The 2014 E-Class, first showcased late last year, has seen an India launch in June, three months after its European launch. 

The E-Class is Mercedes Benz's best selling car in the Indian car market. The car maker has managed to sell 23,000 units of the E-Class in India, ever since the car's initial launch in 1995. With the facelifted E-Class, Mercedes Benz hopes to consolidate the car's leadership position. In India, the competition for the E-Class includes the Audi A6, the BMW 5-Series, the Jaguar XF and the Volvo S80 luxury sedans.