Once again, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) has taken to its official social media spaces with yet another new model teaser, and this is arguably one many have been waiting for. One needs not decipher the vague captions that accompanied the teaser video above to deduce what’s launching soon.
Effectively, the new sixth-generation (W214) Mercedes-Benz E-Class saloon is one model that’s has been long tipped by insiders at MBM for arrival on local soil. With this recent teaser, we can perhaps expect an official launch to happen no later than the start of the final quarter of this year.
Adding to which is the fact that MBM has quietly opened up Registration Of Interest (ROI) for the new W214 E-Class online via its official website. Apart from the teaser video mentioned and the teaser silhouette featured on its ROI page, MBM didn’t disclose much details.
In other words, your guess is as good as ours as to the variants and subsequent specifications of the new E-Class MBM plans to offer. The same applies to its status as a fully imported (CBU) or locally assembled (CKD) offering, though we have our own speculations to which.
As a refresher, the new W214-gen E-Class made its global debut more than a year ago, and it is lauded as the “most connected E-Class yet.” Closer to home, the W214 E-Class was launched in neighbouring Thailand earlier this year with two variants including a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) choice.
In Europe, the W214-gen E-Class sees its base E200 guise pack the three-point star’s current 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged mild-hybrid (MHEV) petrol heart outputting 204 PS and 320 NM to the rear wheels through a 9-speed automatic box.
Said base-spec guise is offered in the Kingdom just north of our Peninsular’s border, but the electrified E350e PHEV guise offered alongside it is arguably a more exciting proposition. In said guise, the E350e gains an e-motor and compact 25.4 kWh batter pack.
Combined with a familiar 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol mill, the electrified E350e marketed in Thailand boasts combined outputs of 313 PS and 550 NM instead. Moreover, it also benefits with a rather respectable electric-only driving range of up to 115 KM (WLTP) with each full charge.
The appearance of either powertrains for the Malaysia-bound W214 E-Class remains to be seen still. Given how MBM specified its smaller W206 C-Class sibling, we won’t rule either out just yet.
Additionally, based on said smaller fifth-gen sedan again, we can also expect the W214 E-Class to be inducted into MBM’s CKD operations at its plant in Pekan, Pahang, at some point.
What also remains uncertain for now is price. Given the level of kit and new connected tech it packs, it’s only natural to presume the W214-gen E-Class to command a slightly higher prices over the W213-gen model it succeeds, which retailed between RM349,888 (E200) and RM399,888 (E300).
Well, what do you folks reckon then? Are you expecting both traditional combustion (ICE) and electrified PHEV powertrain options offered locally at launch? And what sort of pricing would you expect from the three-point star marque for its latest staple mid-sized executive saloon?
As usual, hit the comments below, as well as our social media pages, with your takes on things…
