Stuttgart – Although Mercedes-Benz calls this the next step in the evolution of its design language, the exterior styling of the new E-Class Coupé certainly brings no surprises – and many will argue that that’s really not a bad thing.
While the front and rear ends resemble the smaller and larger C- and S-Class Coupés, the side view is an evolution of the previous E Coupé, complete with the split rear window, although technically this is an all-new vehicle, based on the latest E-Class sedan and its also significantly larger than its predecessor, having grown 123mm in length, 74mm in width and 32mm in height.
While the taillights have a familiar appearance, Mercedes-Benz is particularly proud of their ‘welcome’ function, in which the LEDs illuminate successively from the centre outwards when the vehicle is unlocked, with the opposite sequence happening when you lock the car.
No surprises on the engine front, where the launch range, in Europe at least, includes three petrol options and one diesel. The latter is the new 2-litre unit that made its debut in the E sedan, rated at 143kW and 400Nm.
As for the petrol units, there’s a 2-litre turbopetrol offered in two states of tune, 135kW/300Nm in the E200 and 180kW/370Nm in the E300, and the beefiest option for now is a 245kW/480Nm 3-litre V6 turbo fitted to the E400, which is also the only version to offer 4Matic all-wheel drive. All engines are mated to a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox.
And yes, AMG versions are most certainly in the pipeline, but Mercedes-Benz has yet to announce them.
The Coupé's suspension is set 15mm lower than the sedan's, but it is otherwise a similar deal, with conventional steel suspension as standard and an even cushier multi-chamber air suspension offered as an option.
The cabin will also be a familiar sight to E-Class sedan owners, although the two-door does have a few unique touches, like turbine-inspired air vents. The screens and gadgets are all there, including the optional ‘Widescreen Cockpit’ effect featuring two 31.2cm high-resolution displays under a single lens, as well as the Touch Control finger-swiping function on the steering wheel and full smart-phone infotainment integration, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto options available.
The Drive Pilot semi-autonomous driving system is also offered on the options list, while Active Brake Assist with collision warning, pedestrian detection and auto-braking is standard.
The South African range and features list will be announced closer to launch, likely during the second quarter of 2017.