Life & Work

2017 E-Class redefines driving

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The new Mercedes E-Class four door luxury saloon. PHOTO | SALATON NJAU

The successful businessman and woman thrive under pressure to make wise decisions that spur their enterprises to new heights.

These individuals make many similar decisions everyday from the schools their children go to, the insurance cover they will take, the various financial portfolios they hold as they spread their investment risks, to the mundane issues like their fashion sense, choice of gym to dieting. 

Every choice you make depends on how highly you think of yourself. I am always bothered when I meet seemingly successful people who think so lowly of themselves; they invest in fake, pre-owned and inferior products because they believe the new or genuine ones are too expensive. Perhaps it is lack of knowledge. 

Why have I started an article about an intelligent automotive milestone with a rant about personal choices?

Because I believe everyone is an original. Proudly and beautifully designed in unique style, without a single fake or pre-owned body part.

So when the world’s first car manufacturer goes out of its way to create yet another product of the best-selling model, it is only fair for everyone to have a chance to sample this innovation.

This month ushers in a new chapter in the story of luxury car offerings; the launch of a vehicle so intelligent, it literary almost drives itself. The 2017 Mercedes E-Class is certainly the most advanced yet. 

But before we shower it with praise, what is actually expected of a vehicle in this class and price point? Nothing but the best.

In the world of premium cars, everything is designed for the convenience and safety of the driver and its occupants.

The Mercedes-Benz brand has been around for 130 years, meaning they know a little more about building great products than most. How does that explain it trailing the likes of BMW over the last decade?

The ship began to turn when it introduced the four-by-four range that impressed the world, especially the Chinese. Last month, it recorded global sales of over 200,000 units. Month-on-month car sales have been climbing in most markets.

Perhaps this can be attributed to the previously cautious conservative nature and the resistance to dare the status quo.

Sexy and fashionable

This has since changed and if Dr Dieter Zetsche’s new smart casual look is anything to go by, the brand has grown younger, more sexy and certainly more fashionable.

The Mercedes board has traded the ‘made to measure suits’ for jeans, blazers and sneakers. A new mindset that is reflected in the cars that we have seen emerge from Stuttgart.

I am suitably impressed and I might also adopt a new personal policy; break from the ordinary and try the extraordinary.

We are in the present but we must also cast our sights into the future to plan how we shall adapt to the ever-changing cars. Is Kenya primed for the new breed of intelligent cars that interact with the environment they exist in?

Do you know the vehicles that you are buying today were designed seven to 10 years ago? This is changing fast and you will now see changes every five years. Technology as transformed how luxury car designers and engineers work.

With new research tools, it is even easier to tell what the consumer wants and needs. Is our transport ministry designing an infrastructure for the autonomous vehicles of today?

Read on and ask yourself if we are ready for this vehicle.

Fresh from inside out

The 2017 Mercedes E-Class looks are nothing to scream about as it is visually a reduced version of the S-Class and an enlarged C-Class. But it is the most balanced and finally the new Mercedes design language story is complete.

I had not warmed up to the S-Class and I found the C-Class awkward in its local spec with the suspension raised.

With the appropriate body style (AMG) with right tyres (18-19 inchers), the E-Class looks as sexy as Serena Williams on her day off. That’s about if for the exterior. The gem for me is on the inside.

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This is what a premium vehicle should look like. Absolutely luxurious. The two tone leather trim, large high resolution instrument display a wide screen cockpit that allows the drive to consume all the relevant information with ease. You can choose between three different display styles, classic, sport and progressive.

The steering wheel has is light years ahead of its time with touch controls, a first in the segment. This touch-sensitive controls differ from BMW’s gesture controls and mimic your smartphone responding to vertical and horizontal swipes.

This is in keeping the hands on the wheel, eyes on the road to minimise driver distraction.

The rest of the interior is a testament to Mercedes’ attention to detail. In the new C-Class, the interiors have been upgraded and you will not find anything that does not feel nice to the touch. The open pore wood is similar to what you would find in a yacht, with flowing lines. The doors are covered in soft leather.

It’s the kind of interior that makes you smile even before you turn on the engine or the three-dimension listening pleasure delivered by the Burmester sound system that is filtered through 23 speakers.

If you choose this option, you literary have a orchestra on wheels, and I mean this.

Hands-free driving

If you get overwhelmed with emotion by the perfect sound, you can conduct the symphony from the driver’s seat cruising at 200kph. Please promise not to close your eyes.

Autonomous driving is finally here. Well, semi-autonomous. This car comes with the next generation of driver assistance systems for safety and easier driving. So tempting, you may wonder how you ever tolerated your current jalopy.

Brakes

Active Brake Assist is one of the most important features for me as it will insist that you do not hit the vehicle ahead of you.

It offers just enough backup in the event of emergency breaking. It will automatically apply the brakes and bring the vehicle to a complete stop.

Drive Pilot is your loyal co-pilot

This new system is what brings autonomous driving to you. On the highway, you can literary sit back and watch the vehicle steer itself and keep a constant distance from the vehicle ahead.

This is possible up to highway speeds of 210kph, thanks to Distance Pilot DISTRONIC. You can even fold your legs and arms in meditative bliss. In moderate bends, Steering Pilot will use the lane markings to keep you on track.

Worried about our unmarked roads? Well, at speeds of 130kph the system will use other vehicles and building structures to keep you safely aligned. This comes in handy during dense traffic.

Start-stop feature

You will not need to tap the start button as it will restart itself in 30 seconds after the last stop initiated by the Distance Pilot.

Worried about speed cameras? Speed Pilot can take care of that too. The vehicle reads the speed signs and adjusts accordingly.

Of all the pilot features I liked is the Active Lane Change Assistance. All you need do is flick the indicator and your E-Class will scan its surroundings for other cars before automatically changing lanes.

Accident Detection, Evasive Steering Assist

Using technology to communicate with other vehicles using the cellular network, you will be able to get alerts about accidents around the corner or a few kilometres ahead of you.

At junctions, if you are not paying attention, worry not, Active Brake Assist will check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians and if you do not do your job it will stop itself.

You can now avoid accidents at speeds of 100kph or at least reduce the impact. If a drunk or child jumps onto the road quicker than your response, the new E-Class will swerve on your behalf. All this is mind-boggling, but it is true and there is more.

Remote parking

This is nothing, but just more advanced. You can exit the vehicle and using your smart phone, guide the vehicle into a tight space.

Vehicle-to-infrastructure communication

Three years ago, Mercedes introduced car-to-car communication. Now it has installed a fully integrated car-to-infrastructure communication supported by your mobile phone.

You can see around corners, meters ahead and in the event of a stationary vehicle in an accident, you can avoid imminent danger. You get an early warning that a vehicle is stationary on the road. It might even be carjackers.

There is too much about this vehicle. You just have to sample it for your self. You must be wondering how it drives? Me too.

It was only launched yesterday, so you will have to wait for my take on how the new 9G-tronic nine-speed gearbox manages the three available engines. The 4-cylinder E200, E250 and V6 E300, and AMG43. More choice might be available later.

Pricing starts at Sh10.2 million for the E200, Sh12 million for the E250, Sh13.5 million for the E300 and Sh18.5 million for the E43 AMG. This would be a good time to call you bank manager.