Mercedes has dominated the Indian luxury car market for over years now. The almost a century old company has been dominating the global market in terms of luxury vehicles for sometime now, with 2018 being an amazing year where the company managed to sell 2.31 million passenger cars. However, despite dominating the market in India the company hasn’t seen favorable numbers in terms of growth. In the year 2018 they dominated the market but their sales in India however didn’t see desirable growth. With their new Mercedes Benz E 220d they hope to capitalize on the lost market share. The model type which started its production back in 1953 has become one of the signature Mercedes products over years. The vehicle which has become one of the most sort-out executive car in the Indian market has surprisingly seen a decline. This fall is unexpected because over the past few years Indian purchasing power has gone up by several notches and it should have reflected in the sales of luxury models. There are several factors like new tax rates affecting the sale but overall it feels as if the interest of Indian audience is moving away from the company. Let us check out the new E 220d and see if it can capture the attention of the Indian audience.
EXTERIOR
The new Mercedes-Benz E 220d at points can be confused for the full sized line of s-class. The front has been done with a stand-out grille and a huge three-pointed star. The front also has molded bumpers and the trademark split headlight design adding to the narrative. The side profile is complimented by the wheel base. At 5 meters tall and still filing in the size of a executive the wheel base has been built carefully and manages to enhance the look of the car. It has an alloy wheel design which is neither loud not way too subtle. The rear too gives hints of being an s-class but the sportier tail light manages to communicate that it isn’t one. The car also has opened up more space for the back door and manages to do so without making things disproportional. All of this manages to send strong style statement. Everything else looks and feels rightly placed. The car sends a very good message in its first look. It is sophisticated at the same time stylish. It manages to bring in a new set of freshness while never leaving its core. In this segment the company has done an amazing job.
Interior
The moment you enter the car you can sense the premium feel the ride has to offer. The wood work is fantastic and the doorways have been constructed in an amazing manner. The standout is the 10.2-inch infotainment system which does look like an upgrade from the earlier analogue version. The seats are very comfortable with a lot of space upfront. Ergonomics are as good as one would expect them to be in a vehicle like this. The infotainment system however lacks the a bit on creativity, absence of something like the BMW’s iDrive is present. However, you get all your basics like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher versions have the brilliantly sounding Burmester premium audio system. The rear is amazing. In executive spaces, the serving audience is usually found in the rear and that is where Mercedes puts in the effort. They have great room space and make sure that the person sitting behind is comfortable. Some of the standout features included this time are a tablet system that lets you control stuff like climate and ambient lighting and a wireless charging pad for smartphones, both housed on the armrest. The air-conditioning could have been better but the large size simply makes it difficult to cover all aspects. Overall great job on the interiors too.
Driving
Executive models have to put comfort first when dealing in rides. These vehicles lie heavily on whether or not the driver and the passengers are feeling good or not. Adding the element of time and you need really good driving on the car’s end to suit all of the requirements. Mercedes has always managed to get the job done. Let’s take a closer look if they are successful this time round too or not. The chance with the BS6 E220d is with the 2.0-litre motor. Though the output from the engine remains the same at 194 HP and 400 Nm, one can clearly feel the chance made in the overall performance. There have also been some hardware changes including a diesel particulate filter and a selective catalytic reduction process done with the addition of AdBlue fluid. Refinement levels done with the ride are amazing. No sound of the engine enters the cabin until one reaches the mid-range with the turbo lag isn’t even felt. The long wheelbase makes the car a bit stiff. However, the firmness and composure the car maintains in turns and at high speed is very surprising. The steering wheel also is under control and weighs up beautifully as the speed increases. The car offers a great deal of authority to the driver for its shape and size.
Should I buy One
In terms of luxury vehicles Mercedes offers everything. This car is capable of delivering everything one would expect out of it. The major problem comes is cost. Now the target audience isn’t one which would actually be restricted by major budget constrains but the recent additional taxes and the structure would mean a set of population would be a bit hesitant. Apart from that the car also will face a tough competition from the recent interest other luxury brands have developed in the Indian market. Also one buys a luxury vehicle to feel exclusive and premium. As a major chunk of population moves towards Mercedes it looses that exclusive right and makes the car a bit common. Apart from that Mercedes offers a broader network and service reach than most other luxury brands so it should act as a plus. Overall a great car.