The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is fast becoming the default executive luxury car for people to flaunt their rise of stature with, a signal to others that they’ve ‘made it’. The fact that the current generation E-Class (W212) is by far and away the best mid-size sedan with a Three Pointed Star for the past 20 years or so is well documented, not least by Autocar ASEAN ourselves.
It rightly holds the best-in-class status for its profound ability to mould together luxury, comfort, and drivability. It exudes superiority such that its competition can only hope to even be regarded as being a viable alternative next to it, and it did so by reverting back to the long-forgotten (pre-W210) traditional Mercedes custom - sheer over-engineering of their vehicles.
Of paramount importance to its cause has been the apparent intention to make it a true and true E-Class; a standalone entity, instead of a rival to the BMW 5-Series. In effort of doing so Mercedes engineers drew inspiration from the legendary old-but-gold W124 from the early Eighties, which transpired a drastic departure from their recent design direction. The bold, edgy new look is largely efficacious as it appeals to both Mercedes’ accustomed buyers and younger audience alike.
Trying to capitalise on its success is Naza-Brabus, by introducing the Brabus Premier Line customisation program for the existing E-Class range. While the full blown Brabus EV12 “one out of ten” is beyond reach (both financially and simple lack of availability, as only ten are made), Malaysian E-Class buyers can now obtain a complete visual enhancement to get a slice of the much vaunted Brabus image without having to pay astronomical prices for it.
Available for all three of the E-Class model range, named Brabus E-Klasse S (based on the E200 CGI), E-Klasse R (E250 CGI) and E-Klasse V6 (E300), each at RM80,000 premium over the standard cars - RM446,888, RM478,888, and RM535,888 respectively. Now eighty grand for the Premier Line program might seem like an awful lot of money for effectively just a set of bodykit, but delve deeper into the details and it starts to make more sense.
The package includes an all around Brabus makeover for the exterior - entirely remodelled front bumper with integrated LED daytime running lights and fog lamps, rear apron with centrally mounted deflector that melds with the chromed quad tailpipes, side skirts with LED illuminations, inconspicuous rear lip-spoiler, 18-inch Monoblock Q wheels and of course, a myriad of Brabus badges adorning the whole car. The chances of anyone not noticing one of these as something special is close to nil, what with its aggressive in-your-face styling and unmistakeable loud roar of the exhausts.
Interior wise, the additions are limited to Brabus aluminium pedal pads, backlit door sills, stainless steel floor mats, and door lock pins. While it is rather disappointing that the cabin is not given a more thorough reworking, the blame rests solely on the major changes made on the outside that leaves you expecting the same level of drama inside too. Blind conjecture aside, the still excellent standard E-Class interior is a fine place to be in.
Driving the top of the line E-Klasse V6, it becomes clear that the upshot of the program goes far beyond making an E300 look and sound better. The added bits improve the car’s road presence two folds over the base car with everyone, even tollbooth operators acknowledging it as so much more than simply a tarted up Mercedes. Where appearance is concerned, the Brabus can go head to head with an E63 AMG without being embarrassed, at least until someone points out at the standard brake discs that look lost within the massive wheels (19-inchers on the test car).
Besides the loud Brabus sports exhaust, the mechanicals of the E300 are left untouched; power figures remain at 231bhp at 6000rpm and 300Nm at 2500-5000rpm. Hardly game changing, but the claimed 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds and 247km/h top speed can’t be scoffed at either. The large wheels do blunt the performance by quite some margin though. It feels strangely lethargic accelerating from low speed, but truth be told, outright performance is not the main objective of this car. Showboating is.
Ride and handling is compromised by the tyre and rim combination too, as the suspension is clearly not set up to work with the drastically increased unsprung mass. Instead of the E-Class’ exemplary might of absorbing most dips and bumps on the road, the Brabus kitted model tends to crash over them, with even shallow expansion joints being transferred into the cabin with harsh suspension rebounds. It improves with speed, and at a highway cruise passengers are able to unwind in comfort.
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While large saloons are obviously not at home being thrown about through tight back roads, the Brabus handles the task admirably well. Outright grip is improved with the fat tyres thus allowing a fairly wide safety net for silly driving, not that that is recommended of course. Something to note is that the tyres are susceptible to tramlining over uneven patches, needing a steady hand on the wheel to keep it in the intended direction. On the whole, the driving experience of the Brabus E-Klasse V6 is slightly inferior compared to the E300, but the difference is not of night and day proportions.
The Brabus Premier Line package makes an E-Class very special, no doubt. Whether or not the image and exclusivity is enough to make up for the marred performance, ride and handling, as well as to justify the extra costs is a complicated matter to think through. Depending on the buyer’s top priority of what a car should be, it can swing both ways. For those who treasure exclusivity above all else will be intrigued by it, while others may think of it as a waste of money. Regardless, the base E-Class charms will shine through with or without the kit so you can’t go wrong either way.
It wouldn’t be tragic to see more of these imposing looking machines on our roads, that’s for sure.
Hafriz Shah