We drove the new E-Class Coupe at its international launch in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this year and found it to be impressively styled and packed with useful technology and luxury appointments. The good news is that the E-Class Coupe has now arrived on local shores and will be offered with a range of engine options to suit your taste. Take a look at what you can expect in terms of specification and pricing for this svelte coupe…
Three turbopetrol engines and a turbodiesel engine will be offered locally with the range-topping 245 kW turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 powering the E400 4Matic.
The local lineup will include 3 petrol engines in the form of the E200, E300 and the range-topping E400 4Matic. The diesel-powered E220d will also be offered.
In terms of outputs, the E200 offers 135 kW and 300 Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 6.5 L/100 km. The more powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre E300 develops 180 kW and 370 Nm of torque and is claimed to consume 6.4 L/100 km. The petrol engine range is headlined by the E400 4Matic which employs a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine that develops a hearty 245 kW and 480 Nm of torque with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 8.1 L/100km.
The only diesel option in the lineup is the E220d fitted with a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine with 143 kW and 400 Nm of torque. This engine prioritises efficiency and Mercedes-Benz claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.0 L/100km. The E300, E220d and E400 4Matic Coupe derivatives make use of a quick-shifting 9-speed automatic transmission as standard while the E200 is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 9-speed automatic transmission will be optionally available on the E200, however. A total of 5 driving modes are offered via the Dynamic Select switch and these include Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual and Eco.
Ride comfort is provided by the standard Direct Control suspension while Dynamic Body Control (adaptive damping) and Air Body Control (multi-chamber air suspension) is offered as an option.
The optional Widescreen Cockpit is a must-have feature in the E-Class Coupe.
The new E-Class Coupe has grown in size and sits some 15 mm lower when compared with its sedan counterpart. It’s now 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider and 33 mm higher than the outgoing model and the wheelbase has been stretched by 113 mm which has a positive impact on interior space for both front and rear passengers.
Key design features include a long power dome bonnet, single-louvred diamond grille, standard LED headlights, 2-part LED taillight clusters with a glowing crystal effect and welcome/goodbye lighting function. Multibeam LED headlights are offered as an optional.
The E-Class Coupe's interior is modern and sophisticated with a wide range of trim options available to customers.
The interior design closely mimics that of the E-Class sedan and the highlight feature is the optional Widescreen Cockpit which is a long, configurable digital display that combines a pair of large 12.3-inch screens. The instrument cluster can be customised with a choice of 3 themes including Classic, Sport and Progressive, depending on your preference, while the screen to the right handles functions such as infotainment and navigation. Functions can be operated using the mounted steering wheel controls or touchpad controller.
A comprehensive head-up display is also fitted and communicates information such as speed, speed limits and navigation to the driver. Interior space is surprisingly generous, even for rear passengers and the boot is sizable, offering 425 litres of space.
In terms of technology, there’s lots of it. Qi-enabled smartphones can be charged wirelessly on a charging pad and pair automatically with the infotainment system using Near Field Communication (NFC). This effectively turns your smartphone into a digital key, allowing you to lock/unlock the car or start the engine. You can access Remote Parking Pilot via an app, allowing you to park the car using your phone.
Larger dimensions and a stretched wheelbase translates into more space for passengers, particularlyin the rear.
Distance Pilot Distronic with Steering Pilot is a handy semi-autonomous feature out on the highway and lets you adapt and maintain your distance from the car ahead of you and can follow at speeds up to 210 kph. Steering Pilot will keep the car on track at speeds of up to 130 kph and in a traffic jam, very little input is required from the driver. Active Lane Change Assist will help you change lanes safely by steering into the lane once the camera and radar systems deem it safe to do so.
Buyers can choose from 2 trim lines including Avantgarde and AMG Line, depending on your taste and Mercedes-Benz offers a wide range of optional equipment and packages for the E-Class Coupe.
We will have the new E-Class Coupe on test soon, so look out for a thorough evaluation in the near future. Here is what you can expect to pay for the new E-Class Coupe…
E200 Coupe R754 500
E220d Coupe R806 500
E300 Coupe R842 500
E400 4Matic R1 021 500
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is sold with a 2-year/unlimited km warranty and a 6-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe (2017) International First Drive
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