My FH5 Log: CODENAME R

The Volkswagen Golf R is the range-topper of the Golf range that possesses the most potent performance of any Golf in history.

This is the Mk7.5 Golf R, or should I say, the wrong Golf R I got during the early months of Forza Horizon 5. There is already an Mk8 Golf R out in the open but the producers stuck with the Mk7.5 Golf R because they've completely forgotten the memo.

After several whinings later, I got what I demanded on Forza Horizon 5; a Mk8 Golf R. The one with the new Volkswagen and R logos on it. It's part of the Super Speed Car Pack.

Served as the flagship variant of the eighth-generation Golf, the Golf R pushes the limits of Volkswagen's popular midsize hatchback to greater heights.

While featuring various ways and means to make it even more enjoyable to drive on the road and track such as the standard variable-ratio steering, retuned suspension, the Vehicle Dynamics Manager, ESC, traction control, and improved braking system, among many others, the Golf R is powered by the 2.0L petrol engine which produces 20 more than the previous model, delivering 320PS of power and 420Nm of torque.

The Performance version adds 13PS of power and while mated to a 7-speed DSG and 4MOTION, it does 0-100kph in 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 270kph.

North American-spec Golf R models have a 6-speed manual standard with the DSG as an available option.

The Mk8 Golf R featured in FH5 is the US-spec version with the 6-speed manual gearbox, the one Europeans didn't get. Although it feels wrong for me to have a Mk8 Golf R with a gearbox not offered in its native homeland, I'm super happy to sample what's known to be the ultimate Golf R ever made. While not bothering about its controversial interior, the performance and dynamics are all mild and menacing for a super hot hatch. It feels nearly easy to drive...all the time, and it demands more as the opportunity arises.

To see how much improvement the Mk8 Golf R has gained, I've challenged it against the Mk7.5 Golf R, the expired good I've never asked to have, and taken them for a one-lap time attack.

For a quick recap, the Mk8 Golf R's 2.0L petrol engine produces 20 more than the previous model, delivering 320PS of power and 420Nm of torque. The main question is, does more power mean faster than the old model? Let's find out.

And now the results...

Golf Mk7.5 R - 59.743s

Golf Mk8 R - 58.876s

It's a close shave! The new Golf Mk8 R is nearly a second faster than the Mk7.5 Golf R! I'd say it's more of a scratch than a slash.

The Volkswagen Golf R is the range-topper of the Golf range that possesses the most potent performance of any Golf in history and the Mk8 Golf R pushes the limits of Volkswagen's popular midsize hatchback to greater heights. It really is the ultimate Golf R ever made but only just.

At this point, I was going to end this log but like a good K-drama, there's a bonus section at the end of the episode, and with that...

Looks like Miss Ruli came out to play. Ah, idol girls, you can't resist their temptation.

With the jewel vibes on, Codename R...R as in Ruli...is off against a pack of legendary drivers gathering around a city centre on a racetrack crafted by one of Forza's number one fans. Let's roll, Miss Ruli, as most would like to call you.

Incredible. Nobody can catch her.

It's sad to say that the Mk8 Golf will be the last Golf to have ICE on it and this R is a clear reminder that it has reached its peak. Whatever the reason, It's an honor to meet what's known to be the ultimate Golf R. Although not ultimate, that will do.

Mission accomplished, Codename R.

My FH5 Log: Community Day Classic (PART 3)

The Pagani Huayra and the W113 Mercedes 280SL are the highlights of the Forza Horizon 5 Community Choice's Dry Season playlist. Get your Pagoda air fresheners ready because these expired goods are going to be fresh.

First up is the Pagani Huayra, which I snagged after hitting the 20-point mark on the Dry Season Playlist.

The Pagani Huayra is the Zonda replacement named after Huayra-Tata, the god of wind from the Aymara legends. It made a world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Auto Salon in March. It is powered by a 6.0L Mercedes-AMG M158 V12 twin-turbo engine, producing over 700BHP and over 1,000Nm of torque. It can go 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, and flat-out, the Huayra blows away at 227 MPH (365kph). It is mated with a transverse sequential seven-speed gearbox with an AMT robotized system. The Huayra weighs 1,350kg, and it has a 44:56 weight distribution.

Lastly, the vintage Mercedes-Benz 280SL, which I snagged after hitting the 40-point mark on the Dry Season Playlist.

The W113-spec Mercedes-Benz SL, built from 1963 to 1971 with 48,912 units made, was one of the most iconic Mercedes vehicles in history. It was nicknamed Pagoda due to its slightly concave hardtop shaped like a pagoda.

Most models are equipped with a water-cooled inline-six cylinder engine with multi-port injection with the range-topping 280SL producing 170PS of power and 240Nm of torque. Gearboxes are offered with either a 4-speed manual, automatic, or a 5-speed manual. The front suspension has double wishbones, coil springs, and stabilizing bars while the rear has a swing axle, radius arms, compensating springs, and coil springs. Aside from that, parts of its body are made of aluminum to save weight.

It was the first sports car with a safety body that had a rigid passenger cell and designated crumple zones with impact-absorbing front and rear sections built into the structure.

In the spirit of community service, it's time to take these two expired goods on a quick drive with the Huayra taking on a handmade circuit made by a certain player while the 280SL takes on a Gauntlet-style rally course situated at Copper Canyon. Let's roll the tapes.

Mission accomplished for these two. Well done.

Next time, let's sample the Fiat Dino and the Spania GTA Spano in the final playlist of the Community Choice series update.

My GT7 Log: Head Honchos

Whenever I see the SLR McLaren and the SLS AMG, they remind me of those head honchos from certain racing video games. Before you take on the final boss, you'll gonna have to take the Number 2 first, some say.

Head honchos. Before taking on the final boss, you must get past its head honcho. These two Mercedes supercars played head honchos, and here in GT7, I got the chance to get to know...the semi-final bosses, if you catch my drift.

Let's begin with the SLR McLaren, a supercar you wish you would definitely want to invest yourself in the bull market. Get it? Bull.

Created from the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and McLaren, the SLR McLaren comes with a 5.4L supercharged V8 engine specially developed for the SLR, generates 626 PS (460 kW; 617 hp) of power and 780 N·m (580 lb·ft) of torque, mated with a 5-speed automatic transmission. Mercedes-Benz said that this car has a 0-60mph time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of around 209mph. Production ended in early 2010, and it was succeeded by the SLS AMG.

Lastly, the Mercedes-AMG SLS, the supercar that made AMG a force to be reckoned with. The car that separates the men from the boys.

The SLS is an AMG original masterpiece that serves as the spiritual successor of the legendary 300SL because of the gullwing doors it possesses. While the gullwing doors hark back from the said classic, the SLS AMG is powered by a 6.2L V8 engine that produces 571 PS (420 kW; 563 hp) of power and 650 N·m (480 lb·ft) of torque. It was the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine in the world when it was unveiled and when mated to the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT seven-speed sports transmission, it does 0-100kph in less than four seconds and has a top speed of 317kph.

Having been satisfied with these head honchos, I went to Watkins Glen to find out which Number 2 is...well, Number 2. It's either Bull or Garrett, you know what I mean.

Have you guys done with your number 2? Because these head honchos are primed and ready to rattle the Big Apple, just like the good old days. Let's roll the tape.

Here are the results...

SLR McLaren - 2m08.366s

SLS - 2m07.507s

Looks like Garrett beats Bull by a margin. The SLS AMG trumped the SLR McLaren even in the Big Apple.

Before heading to the finals, you must get through these head honchos. Yeah yeah, I know how it ends, but hey, the SLR McLaren and the SLS AMG proved their point, with the latter the best right-hander for its commander.

So, up for The Finals? Oh wait...it's too early to say that but oh well...

smart #3

Following the advent of the smart #1 electric crossover, smart shook away its Little Tykes image in favor of a city-centric approach, and the renaissance continues with its coupe-crossover derivative, the smart #3.

2024 smart #3

Starting at 38,490 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever smart #3 is basically a smart #1 with a sloping roofline. It's a city-centric coupe-crossover done the smart way and you'd better thank the Chinese overlords from Geely for making it possible.

2024 smart #3

2024 smart #3 interior

While the exterior and interior look and feel similar to its #1 equivalent, the #3's boot space has 370 liters with the rear seats present and up to 1160 liters with the rear seats folded down, that's more than you get from the #1 because of the longer wheelbase that makes up from its lowered height. This means the added dimensions made the #3 roomier than its #1 equivalent. Not bad for a coupe crossover, though.

2024 smart #3 Brabus

Like the #1, the smart #3 runs on the SEA platform developed by Geely, and because of its RR layout and city car sizing, it behaves in a unique and spartan manner even while going nuts with it. Most variants come with the TZ220XSA02 electric motor bolted to a NiCM battery that produces 272PS of power and 343Nm of torque, capable of hitting 100kph in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 180kph. The #3 Brabus, meanwhile, produces  428PS of power and 543Nm of torque. Although it has the same top speed, the 0-100kph time was dropped to 3.7 seconds.

For safety, the smart #3 features a wide array of advanced driver assistance features such as autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane centering assist, lane change assist, lane keeping assist, and blind spot monitoring, among many others.

For a coupe-crossover of its size, the smart #3 is becoming more of a big brother compared to its smart #1 equivalent because of its proportions. Has the whole world gone upside down? For the smart #3's case, it is.

BMW 5-Series G60 & i5

BMW's premium midsize saloon, the 5-Series, has been regenerated from scratch and it spawned its all-electric derivative, the i5. Time for a little quick dive with the all-new 5-Series.

2024 BMW 5-Series and i5

The 5-Series G60, starting at 57,500 Euros plus additional costs, marked a brave new chapter for BMW's premium midsize saloon, and with the spawning of the first-ever i5 all-electric variant, yours for 70,200 Euros, this is the 5-Series of the new normal, like it or not.

2024 BMW i5 interior

Beginning with the styling, the G60 5-Series prefers to keep it clean, unlike the other "new normal" Bimmers with their monster grilles. While the front view is pleasant for observers, the rear lamps can be utterly mistaken for a facelifted fifth-generation Camaro. Looks odd but this is a clear sign that BMW's designers haven't lost their touch even though the big ones made them lose their minds. 

Step inside, the G60 model showcases the business-end behind the wheel such as the available HUD and augmented view, a 12.3-inch info display and 14.9-inch control display, BMW Live Cockpit Plus, BMW Drive with "QuickSelect" and BMW OS 8.5. 

Because of the new model's minimalist approach which resorts to the reduced number of buttons and controls, it's going to be difficult to figure out where the volume controls and the climate controls are. That's the new normal for you, but still, the added in-car gaming is a flashy gimmick for this one.

The normal G60 5-Series kicks off with the 520i variant with the 208PS 2.0L turbo engine and the 520d with the 197PS 2.0L diesel engine. All of these engines are mated to an 8-speed automatic with the 520i sprints 0-100kph in 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 230kph. Come spring, PHEV variants of the G60 5-Series come into play with the most powerful version being the 550e xDrive with the 3.0L PHEV powertrain producing 489PS of power.

The i5, meanwhile, features a rear-wheel drive eDrive40 variant with 340PS of power output and the all-wheel-drive M60 variant with 601PS of power output, making it capable of hitting 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 230kph, the same as the 520i. The i5 eDrive40 is good for 582km while the i5 M60 does 510km in one full charge.

Whichever 5-Series you're on, the G60 model is still the 5-Series we're familiar with; having a near-perfect weight distribution making it capable of handling like a proper BMW, and with the front double wishbones and rear five-link suspension, this is textbook BMW dynamics behind the wheel. To get the most out of it, the G60 5-Series can be fitted with electronically controlled shock absorbers, Integral Active Steering, and new vertical dynamics management, not to mention the Adaptive M Suspension Professional. 

As for safety, the G60 5-Series comes with the available Driving Assistant Professional with Steering and Lane Control Assist and Distance Control, with Stop & Go, Highway Assistant, the world's first Active Lane Change Assistant, and the available Parking Assist Professional.

Thoughts on the G60 5-Series? Despite its minimalist approach on the inside and the questionable rear view, the improved design, dynamics, and technology made the new model a serious premium executive midsize saloon. Although it's not as fancy as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 it has its crosshairs, the G60 BMW 5-Series is still a textbook BMW business end even though it now comes with the all-electric variant. Should the W214 E-Class and the EQE be worrying? Can't say...

Photo: BMW AG

Volkswagen ID.7

This is Volkswagen's answer to the Hyundai IONIQ 6, the first-ever, all-electric saloon called the ID.7, and it's taking the place of the now-deceased Passat saloon. So, what's it all about the first-ever Volkswagen ID saloon car?

2024 Volkswagen ID.7

2024 Volkswagen ID.7 interior

Starting at 56,995 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Volkswagen ID.7 is the first saloon of the ID line of electric cars and it's obviously the most dramatic one because with this, you can really kiss the Passat saloon goodbye for real.

While the styling is broadly similar to its electric family tree, the ID.7 has a longer wheelbase compared to the now-deceased Passat sedan, and having learned from Volkswagen's mistakes, the interior is packed with a 15-inch floating central infotainment screen, AR HUD, a new layout for air-con, a new Favorites buttons where users can save their configurations, an electronically dimmable panoramic sunroof, a massager, Harman Kardon sound system, and a rather annoying IDA voice command assistant. It even comes with Volkswagen's first adaptive Climatronic front seats with cooling, heating, and drying functions. Optional extra as expected.

Because of its longer wheelbase, this five-seater saloon is spacious as such and it comes with foldable rear seats that allow the ID.7 to carry up to 1600 litres of boot space. With the rear seats present, it's just 532 liters, which is more than the IONIQ 6.

Although it runs on the same MEB platform, the ID.7's electric powertrain is unlike the others. Called APP550, the electric motor powering the rear axle produces 286PS of power and 545Nm of torque. It's the most powerful single electric drive motor in the VW ID family tree. It does 0-100kph in 6.5 seconds and a Japanese-esque top speed of 180kph. As for the driving range, it's good for 621km for one full charge.

Being aerodynamic is the top trump for the ID.7, the questionable dynamics for an all-electric saloon is starting to show its worth. Despite being rear-wheel-drive, its mild driving feel is what sums up the ID.7 really well. Not as exciting as expected but it feels spartan and unique in every way, which is unheard of for a commoner's electric saloon like the ID.7. As for safety, it comes with Travel Assist that comes with assisted lane change maneuvers and assisted parking maneuvers, among others.

Although it's a stalemate compared to the Hyundai IONIQ 6, the first-ever Volkswagen ID.7 is proof that the sedan race is not dead yet, although it killed off the Passat saloon immediately. It may be part of the ID family tree of electrics but it rather feels like an outcast because of the one electric motor that sets them apart. Still, with its familiar styling and spartan driving manners, the fully-electric ID.7 has a long way to go for Volkswagen's electrification road map.

Photo: Volkswagen AG

My GT7 Log: Know Your Legends - Porsche 356A

Let's get to know about the legendary cars that are hard to get in Gran Turismo 7's Legend Cars not only because of their extreme rarity that appears once in a blue moon but also their outrageous price tag that takes almost forever to save one. Today, let's get to know about the Porsche 356A, the improved version of the first Porsche ever made.

The 356 is the first Porsche ever made when it was launched in 1948 and forever revolutionized the compact sports car genre. The 356A is the improved version of the said car. Debuted in 1955 and again in 1959, the 365A was offered with a four-cam Carrera engine only available on spyder race cars. Engine ranges vary from 1300 1.3L Type 506 engine up to the 1600 1.6L Type 616 engine with dual downdraft Zenith carburetors, producing 59hp of power and 110Nm of torque. 

Seen here is the 1500 GS Carrera, a limited-edition model powered by the same 1.5L four-came engine as the 550 Spyder that produces less than a hundred horsepower. It was the first to don the Carrera name, which has now become synonymous with Porsche.

Let's drive the 356A around the Goodwood track to prove its worth. Roll the tape.

It did it in 1m50.834s.

This car says it all. It's the genesis of Porsche, redefined.

What other hard-to-get legendary cars should I drive next? Stay tuned for more.

Mercedes-Benz CLE

There is a saying that goes "Kill two birds with one stone" and Mercedes-Benz killed off both the C-Class Coupe and the E-Class Coupe to create the first-ever CLE, the only two-door Mercedes coupe you can buy today.

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe

With prices starting at 58,132 Euros plus additional costs, the first-ever Mercedes-Benz CLE is the only non-AMG two-door coupe you can find at a Mercedes-Benz dealership near you and while it is not interested in your "speedo boy" games, the CLE is the ideal weekend getaway car for you to unwind after a long week.

2024 Mercedes-Benz CLE Coupe interior

Beginning with the design, the CLE's front came from the W206 C-Class while the rear view came from the Mercedes EQ saloon family and the silhouette looks broadly like the now-defunct C-Class Coupe. Asked about the dimensions, the CLE is sized between the two now-defunct coupes, which is a balancing act, of course.

As for the interior, it's all typical "new normal" Mercedes dashboard you can expect in the CLE because it comes with a 12.3-inch digital display and a portrait-oriented 11.9-inch central display as well as ambient lighting features with indirect lighting strips, an available Ambient Lighting Plus package, a new Easy-Entry function to gain access to the rather cramped rear seats, the latest MBUX, and a choice of three sound system configurations at launch, including the Burmester 3D surround sound system. 

Asked about the boot space, the CLE Coupe can carry up to 420L of goodies at the back, more than what you get from the C-Class Coupe.

The CLE Coupe offers a choice of a four-cylinder 2.0L petrol engine and a 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine at launch. Both come with mild-hybrid tech and a 9-speed automatic gearbox. The most powerful for now is the CLE 300 with 281PS power output and 400Nm of torque. It does 0-100kph in 6.2 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph. The CLE 220 d, meanwhile, has 4.7L/100km of fuel economy, but no one's buying on it even in this motoring climate.

Although it shows little interest in the fun side because this is a normal Mercedes coupe with a slim prospect of an AMG version, the dynamics made it feel like a grand tourer that values comfort over performance, which is unheard of in a two-door Mercedes like this. Coupled with the DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL, DYNAMIC SELECT, and a sports brake system, drivers can enjoy it in various ways and means in a rather dramatic way.

For safety, the CLE Coupe comes with the available Parking Package with a 360° camera, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist, DISTRONIC Active Distance Assistant, and the available Driving Assistance Package Plus. Such features made drivers difficult to explain why lodged in a coupe like this.

Although it drives like a regular luxury car, the CLE is the only good-looking luxury coupe you can find at your nearest Mercedes dealership, which is ideal if you don't like the looks of today's BMW 4-Series. No pressure but still, it is a modest two-door coupe that prefers to be taken lightly, not hardly. Story of its life.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG

My FM Log: Global Guts

The Chevrolet Corvette, the Porsche 911, and the Nissan GT-R are the most dominant names in the world of sports cars because of their heritage, performance, and racing pedigree that made them the global superpowers feared and respected the world over.

Here in Forza Motorsport, let's get to know the three kings of the sports car realm starting with America's finest, the Corvette C8 Z06.

By using most of its know-how from the C8.R racing machine, the Corvette C8 Z06 is a track weapon capable of slithering through the road and track with its race-inspired dynamics, available Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and the Z07 Performance Package.

Powering the C8 Z06 is a smaller but more powerful 5.5L V8 naturally aspirated engine that produces 670HP of power and while mated to a standard 8-speed AT, it does 0-60mph in 2.6 seconds.

With its naturally aspirated V8 engine, C8.R-inspired dynamics, and sleek aerodynamics, the C8 Z06 has evolved from a typical Corvette into a proper purist's sports car.

Now, let's get to know the Nissan GT-R NISMO, the ultimate version of the soon-to-be-legendary Japanese sports car that was known to be the best Heisei-era JDM sports car. 

The result of Nissan's trial and error struggle to create a supercar that can compete against the world's best supercars, the GT-R NISMO, first launched in 2014, features track-honed aerodynamics akin to its GT3 racer and an improved 3.8L V6 Twin Turbo engine producing 600PS of power output, capable of lapping the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 7:08.679. 

This is the 2020 Model Year GT-R and for this update, the GT-R NISMO features front fenders from the GT3 racecar, a new carbon-fiber roof, and improved dynamics. 

It is said that the improved GT-R NISMO lapped Tsukuba in less than a minute.

Lastly, the Porsche 911 GT3 (992), which is the better version of the 992-spec Porsche 911.

The 992 911 GT3 is a real, no-nonsense sports car with real, no-nonsense performance drivers who can get hooked for more. Race-inspired aerodynamics aside, the 911 GT3 is powered by a 4.0L flat-6 engine that produces 510PS of power and 470Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed PDK, which lets the GT3 accelerate from 0-100kph in 3.4 seconds, which is slightly quicker than the previous model. 

It's got a double-wishbone front axle for the first time in a 911, a five-link rear axle, larger brakes, and extensive use of lightweight materials, among many others.

With such improvements, the new model lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in 6:59.927 minutes, which is an improvement from the previous GT3.

Now that we get to know about the three sports car kings, it's time to take them to the ideal playground to flex their muscles; the Yas Marina Circuit. It's been recently added to Forza Motorsport and I got the chance to bring them there, which is good timing for me because this weekend, the F1 23 season finale will be held there.

Yas Marina's changed since I let their predecessors loose in FM7 a couple of years ago. Although some of the familiar bits got changed, it's still the Yas Marina the world knows and enjoys. It's still the ideal playground for speedo boys to let their sports cars rip through the most technical corners in style.

Anyway, with the C8 Z06, GT-R NISMO, and the 992 911 GT3 gathered at what's known to be the final venue of the F1 season, it's time to settle which side of the globe is the best.

America, Europe, and Asia. Which one is the best? Let's find out with a one-lap time attack around the recently-added Yas Marina track in Forza Motorsport. Let battle commence.

And now the results...

C8 Corvette Z06 - 2m14.234s

GT-R (R35) NISMO - 2m19.394s

911 (992) GT3 - 2m20.282s

It looks like the Americans were the superior ones this time as the C8 Z06 trumps the GT-R NISMO and the 911 GT3 by a long shot in the revised Yas Marina track.

I guess the engineers behind the C8 Corvette were wise about transitioning to a mid-engine layout at the beginning and with the Z06, it's capable of tackling down the world's best, even though this isn't really its final form, if you catch my drift.

This Vette's got guts and it managed to show the world it's capable of taking all comers in the same way its C8.R equivalent crushed the final LMGTE AM Class title in style. GT3, here we go.

Welcome to the new world order.

Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 signals the evolution of the E-Class lineage and with dramatic changes inside and out, it's no doubt becoming the most advanced E-Class ever made.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Starting at 61,999 Euros plus additional costs, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 is the most advanced E-Class ever made thanks to the dramatic improvements inside and out, making it capable of tackling the demands of the new normal.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class All-Terrain

Just like the previous version, the W214 E-Class is offered in three different body styles such as the sedan, the estate, and the outdoor-oriented All-Terrain with slightly increased ground clearance. Whichever E-Class you're on, you will still be greeted by the new design that looks like it's been borrowed from its sedan relatives, the C-Class and the S-Class. Not bad for a middle child of the family tree. Although it's hard to distinguish between the three, the sizing makes it easy to differentiate it from its relatives because, as I said, this is the middle child of the Mercedes sedan range and it deserves extreme attention to detail at first contact.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class interior

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate interior

Unlike its C-Class and S-Class brothers, the new interior prefers the dashboard layout inspired by the Mercedes-EQ range and with the rather controversial Superscreen equipped, it now behaves just like its EQ relatives because with two touchscreens on the dashboard, it's the ideal time-waster for those who love to play around the car's insides. Care for some Netflix and chill while stuck in traffic, I presume?

While the added Superscreen is deemed too flashy for speedo boys behind the wheel, the passenger side is classic E-Class comfort, and with the added Energizing Comfort wellness program, Energizing Coach program, and Thermotronic climate control with Digital Vent Control, the out-on-a-limo feeling truly hits the W214's sweet spot.

2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The W214 E-Class, depending on which body style you're on, offers a wide range of petrol (E200), diesel (E220d), and PHEV configurations (E300e and E400e). All are mated to a 9G-TRONIC gearbox.

The cheapest version, the E200 Avantgarde Advanced, features a 2.0L turbo engine with mild hybrid, producing 204PS of power and 320Nm of torque with a fuel economy of 6.4L/100km. The most powerful version for the time being is the E400e with the 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system, where the said engine is bolted to an electric motor and a 25.4kWh lithium battery, capable of producing 381PS of total power output, 650Nm of torque, a 0-100kph time of 5.3 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph.

To make the E-Class W214 capable of driving like every E-Class should, it has a front four-arm suspension, rear five-link suspension, and Agility Control steel-sprung for MHEV vehicles, but to get the most out of it, it comes with the available Airmatic air suspension with ADS+ continuously variable damping and rear-axle steering setup. Such setup will bring dynamism to the all-new E-Class and looks like high-rollers can't wait to get their hands on it.

Because this is the E-Class for the new normal, the W214 features a wide range of ADAS such as Active Distance Assist, Attention Assist, Active Brake Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Parking Package with reverse camera, Speed Limit Assist, Attention Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, and the available Driving Assistance Plus with Active Steering Assist that vibrates the steering wheel when lane markings are no longer clearly visible and Active Steering Assist is no longer available.

The all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class W214 is the most advanced E-Class to date thanks to its dramatic improvements inside and out. It really is the E-Class for the new normal and like it or not, it's prepared for almost everything life throws at it.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz AG