Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Have you ever been driving your old banger along the road and stopped at traffic lights only to see the car of your dreams pull up beside you? You look longingly at it, peering in the window at the lucky person driving it and wondering who they are and what they do for a living.
The chances are, if you were driving around Bahrain last weekend and saw a skinny guy with an ear-to-ear smile, sitting pretty in a Mercedes-Benz, it was me!
Al Haddad Motors held a media event during which yours truly got the chance to put the new GL450, C350, C200 SLK200, SLK300 and E350 models to the test around the kingdom’s streets and highways.
GulfWeekly recently attended the regional launch of the C350 and SLK200 and now it was time to put these models under the spotlight.
However, with so many mean machines at my disposal I felt like a kid in a sweet shop and it was hard to know which one to drive first.
What I particularly love about Mercedes is the versatility of the model range. From convertible racing roadsters to sturdy SUVS, whatever your driving needs, there is a Mercedes to suit.
Since I have always been a fan of 4x4s I started out in the GL40, affectionately known to the Al Haddad crew as ‘the beast’. This 4.6-Litre 335bph SUV not only boasts a generous amount of power but also has enough space to comfortably seat seven people.
It’s no secret that the kingdom’s highways are prone to a fair share of careless (not to mention dangerous) lane-hopping but while driving the beast, no one dared cut into my lane without indicating first ... in my opinion that alone makes it worth the BD30,000 price tag.
After a pit-stop to swap drivers, I decided to fulfil a life-long ambition and try a convertible.
Once inside the SLK300 Roadster I discovered a whole new meaning to the British phrase ‘Happy as Larry’.
I don’t know who Larry is, but if he was driving the SLK300 I would know what he’s smiling about.
When it comes to handling, I rate this 3-litre, V6 mean machine among the most enjoyable and responsive cars I have ever driven. It simply took corners like a dream come true.
Sitting in the cockpit of this BD20,000 convertible it felt like I was being held in my mother’s arms … the difference being my mother doesn’t go from 0-100kmph in just 6.3 seconds or have a state-of-the-art infotainment system ... she does bake a lovely cake though!
Next up was the C Coupe 350, a smooth V6, 306bhp model. Inside, you are met by a range of equipment designed to meet all your driving needs. Complete with luxury finishes and leather seats, not to mention Parking Guidance, electronic panoramic sunroof and fully automatic headlights, this BD23,000 car is built for comfort.
It ticks all the right boxes for a pleasurable driving experience, it’s sleek, well designed, powerful and offers an amazing number of safety features.
Each of the interiors were different and have a range of subtleties; the one thing that is consistent is the level of comfort and refinement.
However, in the 2012 E350 I got the impression that a bit of extra love and devotion went into the onboard features. This model boasts Parking Guidance, a plethora of airbags, DVD player, KEYLESS GO, Bluetooth function, iPod connectivity, and, of course, the obligatory TV function.
Under the bonnet, it’s difficult not to be impressed by the V6 engine or the upgrades this BD27,000 marque has received. Thanks to its 7G-Tronic seven-speed automatic transmission the gear changes are smoother and faster, allowing you to concentrate solely on the driving experience.
Next up was the SLK200, a variant of the SLK300 I had previously driven. But my, what a difference a few numbers on the end of a name can make.
Once on the highway, with nothing in front of me but open road, it was time to put this classy 4-cylinder, 183bhp convertible to the test. With a gentle tap on the accelerator I was soon racing along the highway with the warm breeze blowing through my hair, watching the gentle orange sunset getting smaller and smaller in the rear-view mirror.
That’s when the automatic lights kicked in, illuminating the road with picture perfect clarity.
I’m an easy-going guy and I like to take things slowly. In fact, I’ve often said I dislike life in the fast lane, however, after my Mercedes-Benz experience, I’m beginning to wonder.
For more information contact Al Haddad Motors on 17785454.
