W214 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Entering Malaysia Soon As A PHEV?

Latest sixth-gen (W214) Mercedes-Benz E-Class as it debuted globally earlier this year. MBM might introduce it locally soon.

Apart from launching a trio of new Mercedes-AMG performance models (this, this and this) at its recent Mercedes-Benz World roadshow, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia (MBM) also hinted to local press that it will soon introduce the latest sixth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class (W214) locally too.

As a refresher, the new W214-gen E-Class debuted globally earlier this year and it’s billed by the three-point star as its “most connected E-Class” yet. This likely refers to the sleuth of new connectivity-driven tech primed on board one of the marque’s staple best-selling nameplates.

Besides a striking new design, the W214 E-Class is being billed as "the most connected" E-Class yet by its makers too.

Moreover, MBM hinted to local press that the W214 model will debut locally with an electrified plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant. Presently, MBM’s PHEV offering comes in the form of the C350e and S50e models, the former being the newest in the line-up having been launched earlier this year.

During Mercedes-Benz World, MBM president and CEO Amanda Zhang noted that more models will “soon” join said electrified compact luxury sedan and its larger flagship limo sibling. No details surrounding specifications, price, or even launch timeline, were detailed by the exec.

The W214 E-Class is already marketed in neighbouring Thailand with a PHEV variant badged as the E350e.

Nevertheless, the impending arrival of the W214-gen E-Class has long been touted. Regionally, the W214 E-Class is now on sale in neighbouring Thailand where the three-point star marque also markets it with a PHEV variant badged as the E350e.

For the Thai market, the new E350e model mentioned packs a 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbocharged petrol heart augmented by e-motor and 25.9 kWh battery, altogether boasting 313 PS and 550 NM outputs managed by a 9-speed automatic transmission.

The PHEV variant of the W214 E-Class promises between 97 and 115 KM of pure-electric driving plus a frugal fuel economy ranging between 0.5 and 0.8 litres/100 KM on average.

Altogether, the Thai-market E350e model boasts a 0-100 KM/H sprint time of 6.4 secs plus a highly efficient fuel economy average of 0.5 to 0.8 litres/100 KM. With the battery at full charge, said e-motor can cover between 97 and 115 KM of pure-electric driving.

What remains uncertain though is if the W214 E-Class, like its W213-gen predecessor, will be localised or not. The latter was locally assembled (CKD) by MBM at its plant in pekan, Pahang. Given which, we won’t rule out the possibility of which just yet.