New 2013 Mercedes E-class review, test drive

This mid life update for the W212 E-class has reached Indian shores and we've got our hands on one. 

 

What’s immediately obvious is that it takes a big step forward in the looks department. The nose is all new – a new single element headlamp cluster replaces the earlier quad headlamp setup. There’s a softer flow to the design of the nose and the chin, with its built in splitter, looks a bit sportier too. The biggest change of course is that you can now order your E-class with the sportier looking Mercedes grille; the one with the two prominent slats and the big star at the center. 

 

There aren't too many changes around the rear of the car. There are new tail-lamps with LED inserts but that's about it. Mercedes has however made an expensive sheet metal change to the sides; it has gotten rid of the slightly retro pontoons around the rear wheel arches, and the car does look a bit younger now. Also particularly nice are the really classy five-spoke 18-inch alloys that make the car sit much better on the road.