Mercedes-Benz has released details of the coupe version of its new E-Class range. And the chances are the first ones are on their way to the docks to head downunder as we write this. They’re to be launched here in June and dealers are taking orders now.
The low, sleek proportions work well with a low grille, long bonnet with power domes, and the cabin sitting further rearward. There are four frameless side windows and as there’s no B-pillar – the visual emphasis is very much about style.
However, it’s not only about style, function is definitely part of the equation. Compared with the about to be superseded E-Class Coupe the new model is significantly bigger, being 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider, and the wheelbase is greater by 113mm. These changes are designed to make this a full four-seater, with rear legroom up by 74 mm and shoulder room 34 mm more.
The widescreen cockpit is one of our favourite features of the new E-Class sedan and is continued into the new Coupe. The car provides smartphone integration.
The Australian Mercedes-Benz importer has provided us with the following details:
Diesel engines are rapidly becoming out of favour in many countries, but the Mercedes has a long history of bringing them downunder. So the range opens with the E 220 d (for diesel) Coupe, priced from $96,000 (MRLP). It has a 2.0-litre four-cylinder powerplant with 143 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. Drive is to the rear wheels through a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic. On the official drive cycle combined fuel consumption cycle it uses just 4.9 litres of diesel litres per hundred kilometres.
There’s no messing around with equipment by the local Mercedes product planners because all Coupes will have an AMG Line body styling package which includes 19-inch alloys on the 220 d.
Inside the E 200 d Coupe there’s 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 most popular E-Class Coupe in Australia is likely to be the E 300. It will retail for $110,900 (MLRP) and is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 180 kW and 370 Nm, it also 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 $145,900 (MLRP) 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 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.
Now comes a really interesting bit: to launch the new E-Class Coupe Mercedes has come up with an ‘Edition 1 Package’. Only 555 cars are to be 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.
The package has two-tone nappa leather trim, including on the sports steering wheel. 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.
The package adds just $5900 (MLRP) to the E 300 Coupe and $2420 (MLRP) to the E 400 4Matic Coupe.
The on sale date of all Merc E-Class Coupes is simply given as June 2017, without a specific day being made public. May we suggest contacting your favourite Mercedes-Benz dealer quickly, particular if you want to snare one of the Edition 1 packages?
(Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price (MRLP) includes GST and any LCT applicable to the base / standard specification model but excludes on-road costs and dealer delivery charges.)
