Mercedes Benz to appoint new dealer for Galway area

By Gerry Murphy

Mercedes-Benz are close to appointing a new dealer in Galway and the launch of most important model, the 2016, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class, could not be better timed. While they are not yet in a position to reveal who that new dealer will be, negotiations are at an advanced stage and an announcement is expected within months.

Now in its tenth generation and already in Irish showrooms, the new model lies at the very heart of the Mercedes-Benz product offering, here and internationally. Distributors in Ireland expect it will continue to be the largest-selling model here, a position it has traditionally held.

At the official launch in Dublin this week, Mercedes-Benz bosses said it has set out to give owners a preview of what motoring will be like for future generations. Showcasing a number of features that electronics and mobile technology make possible – some standard, some optional – the new E-Class brings the era of ‘autonomous and accident free motoring’ even closer.

One that every motorist will applaud is a feature that allows the car to be manoeuvred remotely via a mobile phone without the driver being inside – a development likely to appeal to all who ever found themselves hemmed in within a narrow parking space and unable to gain entry to their car.

This movement towards autonomous motoring is reflected in the new Drive Pilot system in which key functions such as remote parking, guidance, speed control, braking, acceleration, gear changing and an ability to anticipate hazards ahead and take corrective action are amongst those that can be carried out automatically, depending on model and options choice.

Sophisticated, elegant and stylishly sporty, the new E-Class has all of the characteristics one expects in a Mercedes-Benz saloon. Three style and equipment lines are offered: Avantgarde, Exclusive and AMG. As before, buyers can choose between models with a bonnet-mounted star and louvered grille favoured by regular E-Class owners or one with grille inset star likely to appeal to more sporty buyers.

What is interesting for buyers is that Mercedes-Benz are holding their price levels and adding a lot more kit for the money. Features that previously came only as options are now included as standard – the entry level Avantgarde model is equipped with over €7,000 worth of standard features compared to the outgoing version.

Included is Parking Pilot parking assist, heated front seats, full leather upholstery, reversing camera, LED static lights, satellite navigation, mirror pack, ambient lighting, stowage pack, ‘through loading’ feature, seat comfort pack, alarm pack and a ‘connect me’ function. Standard on all models is 9G Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission.

Inside, the highlights include new sculptured seats designed for long journeys, heated armrests in the doors and centre console and a choice of sixty-four interior LED lighting colours. Optionally available are two high-resolution 12.3 inch display screens (a first in the segment) and three different wide-screen instrument cluster styles. A wide choice of materials and colour combinations gives owners scope to ‘individualise’ the interior.

It is the first car ever to feature touch-sensitive finger swipe buttons on the steering wheel which the driver can use to control the infotainment system while keeping both hands on the steering wheel. Mobile phones with the inductive charge facility can be charged and connected with no need for cables or a telephone holder.

In Ireland, focus is being placed on the E220d Avantgarde Automatic at €52,850, which represents a price decrease of €850 compared to the previous model. Also available to order will be Exclusive (€55,210) and AMG versions (€57,650). Available also is an E350d version at €66,900. Further model variants to follow in time will include an E350e hybrid and a powerful V6 E350d.

“We are buoyed by an unprecedented level of interest and a bank of pre-launch orders far into treble-digit territory, the new E-Class will play an important role in underpinning the position of Mercedes-Benz as flag-carrier in the luxury segment,” said Ciaran Allen, sales manager for Mercedes-Benz passenger cars in Ireland, at the launch this week.

“Exceptional in every respect, it will redefine standards in the business-class, not least in its outstanding specifications and highly competitive price-to-value proposition,” he said.