Mercedes-Benz’s new E-Class coupe range is larger than before and is almost a full four-seater rather than a two-plus-two as in previous generations.
This added usability hasn’t spoiled its style, though. The low, sleek proportions work well, it has a low grille, long bonnet with power domes, and the cabin sits further back. All four side windows are frameless and there is no B-pillar.
New E-Class coupe is 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider, and sits on a 113 mm longer wheelbase. Rear legroom up by 74 mm and shoulder room 34 mm more.
Australian drivers love their sporty models so all new E-Class coupes have an AMG Line body styling package.
The widescreen cockpit is one of our favourite features of the new E-Class sedans and naturally it’s incorporated into the coupe.
The range opens with the E 220 d (diesel) coupe with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 143 kW and 400 Nm. Drive is to the rear wheels through a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic. Inside, even this lowest cost model has leather trim and the Mercedes’ Comand infotainment system with Android Auto or Apple CarPlay.
The Driver Assistance safety package includes parking assist to make life easy as coupes are usually harder to see out of than sedans and wagons.
The E 300 is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 180 kW and 370 Nm. It too uses the 9G-Tronic automatic. Over and above the E 220 diesel Coupe’s specification it has 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system, Air Body Control air suspension, heated front seats and MultiBeam LED headlights.
The topline model, the Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic (all-wheel-drive) has a 3.0-litre, V6-cylinder bi-turbo petrol engine producing 245 kW and 480 Nm. Transmission is by a sportier version of the nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic.
With all that grunt and the advantage of driving through all four wheels it’s a full-on sports model that gets from zero to 100 km/h in just 5.3 seconds.
Additions over the E 300 coupe include a panoramic glass sunroof, 13-speaker, 590-Watt Burmester surround sound system, head-up display, metallic paint and privacy glass.
To launch the new E-Class coupe Mercedes has come up with an ‘Edition 1 Package’. This features two-tone nappa leather trim, including on the sports steering wheel. There’s also the healthy Air-Balance air filtering package, Designo cashmere white magno paintwork, bi-colour 20- inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, exterior design elements in black, and Edition 1 badging.
Only 555 cars are being built for the global market. Mercedes-Benz Australia tell us it’s, “securing an allocation for its customers to add to E 300 coupe or E 400 4Matic coupe models”, but won’t tell us how many. It might be an idea to ring your favourite dealer asap.
DRIVING
We have driven two variants of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe on an extensive program in Victoria. However Mercedes-Benz Australia has asked us not to publish details until May 31. This is to give a number of other journalists a chance to be cycled through the limited number of cars currently off the early shipment of this new model.
Stay tuned for our full driving impressions next week. Suffice to say at this stage we have tested the back seats and found they are suited to adults. However there is likely to be the inevitable requirement of legroom compromise if tall people travel behind one another.
The complete 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe range is:
E220 d: $96,000
E300: $110,900
E400 4Matic: $145,900
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Mercedes-Benz dealer for driveaway prices.
