The various electronic aids that can be found in the Mercedes technical sheets will not be found in every car, as options extend into every possible source of pleasure or even motoring ineptitude. Remember, you have to be responsible for all your actions and you owe it to yourself, family and all other road users to control your car. In the case of the diesel under test it reaches 233km/h and ‘blasts’ up to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds.
Obviously, all the usual safety parameters have been explored and accounted for, but in addition there are some options.
Four onboard cameras can be specified. The optional Active Parking Assist helps park either parallel to the kerb or perpendicular to it. The reversing camera can be specified without the other three. If you go for the Optional Driving Assistance package the driver will find an Active Lane Keeping Assist and an Active Blind Spot Assist.
Attention Assist is standard and it can monitor the steering behaviour of the driver. If the controller gets drowsy or lacks attention there is both a visual and an audible warning of impending trouble.
Of even more interest in Malta, where too many drivers still tailgate the car in front, the Collision Prevention Assist gives an audible warning if the distance to a moving or stationary object is too short. Driver braking can be assisted, and if the driver still fails to react, speed can be reduced automatically.
This car is an absolute delight on the eyes, with its wide rear end, and rear lights that follow the shoulder line of the car. It’s a sporty-looking set-up, and the masterful LED lights emphasise the point beautifully.
The front end is dynamic, and in the Exclusive range there is an air panel including a shutter that optimises the aerodynamics to suit the current situation.
The profile is composed of sporty clean lines and marvellously sculpted surfaces and is a pleasure to simply admire before ... actually riving her fast and far
In fact, the Active Bonnet is raised automatically when a cyclist or pedestrian collides with the front of the car. This, of course, means that the bonnet absorbs far more of the incident before the object crashes down onto the hard bits of engine. This additional deformation space can easily be a lifesaver.
The profile is composed of sporty clean lines and marvellously sculpted surfaces and is frankly a pleasure to simply admire before plunging into the tempting world of actually driving it fast and far.
This model is the first to be able to control all the functions of an infotainment system based on gestures alone; it can even decipher the letters and numbers in your handwriting.
We were on the road in the Avantgarde model. The interior is new, absolutely up to the mark, comfortable seats with lots of thigh grip, switches and dials are all in their expected positions while the bright-work contains Light Longitudinal-grain aluminium trim and the instrument cluster with tube-shaped circular instruments is framed in silver chrome.
Artico man-made leather/Norwich fabric upholstery is highlighted with an exclusive seat upholstery layout.
The steering wheel is a three-spoke multi-function wheel in black Nappa leather and the automatic selection lever is tastefully set behind the wheel. It runs with a seven-speed box, but during the course of the test, conducted in Eco mode even at speeds above the national maximum, because of the tasteful way we accelerated, sixth gear was the highest we reached, and when accelerating hard in kick-down, the car never got beyond fourth gear.
The exterior of the car is highlighted with chrome trim in bumpers and side skirts, and there are polished aluminium trim strips in the window surrounds and beltline.
This model has twin-spoke light alloy wheels painted in Himalayas grey and the Agility Control suspension with selective damping system and lowered chassis. This accounts for the total sports car feel when cornering fast, lane changing at speed, and coping with some pleasantly narrow and twisty roads. Miżieb hill, and Manikata to the Mellieha Bypass proved particularly entertaining.
The Avantgarde seems to turn on a sixpence, the steering is light yet totally positive, and even in the straight-ahead position the wheel never feels remotely without feeling, or like so many cars, dead.
We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the test drive, and speeds approaching our legal maximum the brakes were tested, hands off the wheel, without the slightest trace of wander or uncertainty.
Obviously, the audio system is state-of-the-art, and so is the climate control.
No matter how delightful a car looks and handles, the good old ‘Mill’ is still the most exciting bit of a vehicle for many people.
Verdict
Comfort
Like so many Mercedeses this gets five stars for overall comfort levels
Performance
Five stars in the Maltese context
Cool
The wrong word to use
Quality
So hard to find fault at all
At a glance
Top speed
233 km/h
0-100km
7.4 seconds
Economy
Combined cycle 4.3 litres for every 100 km
C02
109 g/km
Engine
2,143 cc
Power
170 bhp @ 3,000 rpm
Maximum torque
400 Nm