After driving the new E-Class and actually enjoying it, especially in edgy E350 Coupe guise, I can no longer subscribe to my long-held opinion that the E-Class is a classic uncle-car. Road-testing previous E-Classes made me feel at least 15 years older, what with their wooden throttle, stodgy responses and colourless design, but this nice new W212 model managed to make me feel just 5 years older.

It's roomy, refined, relaxing. It's well built, well equipped, well sorted on the road. It even looks good; from some angles for the 4-door and from all angles for the 2-door. I was surprised by the current C-Class (which actually underpins the new E-Class Coupe), but this latest Mercedes is nothing less than a revelation. It has ushered in a bold new motoring era I hereby christen Radical Uncleness*.

* ang moh accessories sold separately

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