Autoblog

Mercedes-Benz confirms 2011 C-Class Coupe

Chris Shunk — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mercedes Benz has made it official: the 2011 C-Class Coupe is on its way. The German luxury automaker has announced it will build the two-door C-Class at its massive Bremen plant, with production scheduled to begin in 2011. The addition of the Coupe gives Mercedes Benz three different variants of the C-Class, with a convertible almost certainly to follow. The impressively flexible Bremen plant, which employs 12,600 workers, also makes the C-Class sedan, wagon, GLK, two E-Class variants, the SL and SLK.

With the C-Class Coupe officially on its way to production, we're more than a bit curious as to how Mercedes will differentiate the smaller Benz two-door from the larger, more expensive E-Class Coupe. See, the bi-door E-Class already utilizes the C-Class platform, and the more expensive E Coupe is almost identical in every dimension to the C-Class Saloon. But the E-Class coupe commands a price premium of $9,000 compared to a C-Class sedan with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine.

We suspect Mercedes will shorten the C-Class platform to better differentiate the C Coupe from the larger, more expensive E Coupe. But unlike the larger E Coupe, which is virtually the same price as sedan with the same name, the C Coupe may receive a bit of a price bump compared to its sedan brethren. It's a good bet that we'll know a lot of these answers by the time the Paris Motor Show opens its doors to the media in September. Hit the jump to read over the official press release.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz confirms 2011 C-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz confirms 2011 C-Class Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Super Coupe: Brabus E V12 now in two-door form

Drew Phillips — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Brabus E V12 Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been several days since we left the Geneva Motor Show and we're still finding cars that we somehow missed out on the floor. We especially don't know how we managed to skip this bad boy in the Brabus booth, as it should have been nearly impossible to miss. It's called the E V12 Coupe, and it's got 800 horsepower. Enough said.

There's nothing new about Brabus stuffing a V12 into an E-Class. They've been doing it since 1996, and have been making twin-turbo models since 2003. The latest version is based off of the new E Coupe, and it's a much prettier car than the awkward looking E V12 Black Baron that we saw in Frankfurt. Fortunately it does share the same engine - a 6.3-liter twin-turbo V12 putting out 800 horsepower and 1047 lb-ft torque. Brabus quotes a 0-100 km/h time of just 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 230 mph, and judging from the performance of their previous cars we are inclined to believe them.

Besides the engine, the E V12 Coupe also comes with larger brakes, a Brabus-spec coilover suspension system, 19-inch wheels and more carbon fiber than you can shake a stick at. The front spoiler, grille, front and rear fenders, rear diffuser, intake system, interior trim and seats are all made from the lightweight material. What is all of this going to cost you? 478,000 Euros - approximately $650,000 using today's exchange rate, or more than 13 E-Class Coupes.

Gallery: 2010 Brabus E V12 Coupe

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Super Coupe: Brabus E V12 now in two-door form

Super Coupe: Brabus E V12 now in two-door form originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lorinser gives the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a new look

Noah Joseph — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:27:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe by Lorinser - Click above for high-res image gallery

Opinion accounts for a lot in this business, and many of us here at Autoblog are of the opinion that the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is one of the most striking new designs on the road today. If everyone were of the same opinion, you'd be seeing them on every road, at every street corner and in every parking lot. And in such an eventuality, some owners would likely be looking for a way to set theirs apart.

Enter veteran Benz tuner Lorinser with the solution: a comprehensive appearance package for the latest Mercedes coupe that gives it a fresh look. That look might remind you of Acura's controversial shield grille, but if that doesn't turn you off, Lorinser's also fitted a new front fascia with integrated LED daytime running lights, side skirts, lip spoilers mounted to the roof's trailing edge and the trunk lid, a new rear bumper with a diffuser and four round pipes poking out.

Known as they are for their aftermarket Mercedes wheels, Lorinser offers a variety of rims up to 20 inches in diameter at the customer's choice, mounted to a sport suspension lowered by 30 millimeters. Inside, Lorinser's fitted new pedals, instruments, floor mats and more, and an engine-tuning package is reportedly in the works. In the meantime, you're invited to view the press release after the jump and feast your eyes on the high-resolution images in the gallery below.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe by Lorinser

[Source: Lorinser]

Continue reading Lorinser gives the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a new look

Lorinser gives the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a new look originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Jan 2010 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe is a worthy companion

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Mercedes-Benz, New Car Reviews, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Marketing does funny things. Recently the word "coupe" has been rendered null and void of meaning by crafty marketing types behind cars like the Mercedes-Benz CLS, BMW X6 and Volkswagen CC, while the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo has sucked every last ounce of truth, honesty and passion from the term "Gran Turismo." It's now just advertising flim-flam. The BMW 8 Series was a grand tourer. The 535i Gran Turismo? We hear it's very practical...

We mention co-opting of the terms "coupe" and "Gran Turismo" because marketers pulled a similar stunt back in the early '70s with the phrase "Personal Luxury Car." Some cars did fit the definition well (roughly, a luxury coupe exists where practicality and efficiency are traded in favor of style, plush and image), others did not. For example, in the U.S. where we like our luxury by the yard, a 1971 Buick Riviera is a perfect example of a personal luxury car. An AMC Matador Brougham complete with Oleg Cassini interior isn't. Regardless of reality, by 1973 every car with two doors and faux-vinyl seats got tagged with the PLC label. As such, the phrase "personal luxury car" became meaningless.

Apropos of all that, Mercedes-Benz was kind enough to let us test its two-door version of its new W212 E-Class, the 2010 E350 Coupe. The new model marks the first time in three generations that Mercedes has offered a coupe version of what's generally considered to be its sauerbraten und spätzle. You'd have to go back to Bill Clinton's first term (that's pre-Lewinsky) to find the two-door W124 E-Class. Obviously, the B-pillarless two-door qualifies as a coupe, but a personal luxury car? Or, dare we say it, a GT?

Gallery: Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe

Continue reading Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe is a worthy companion

Review: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 Coupe is a worthy companion originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AMG-fettled Mercedes E-Class Coupe to favor agility over power?

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Exact details are few and far between, but for those that value handling over tire-smoking POWA, this is great news. Autocar is reporting that the next AMG-fettled Mercedes-Benz E-Class will rely on weight-saving materials and techniques, as well as fine-tuning of suspension pieces to increase agility. You know, as opposed to the regular AMG way of doing things, which is lobbing yet another salvo into the breach of the sky's no-limit horsepower war. The next AMG E-Class Coupe will actually be a Black Series model, meaning that not only will there be no "regular" AMG E-Class Coupe (for now), but you really ought to start saving your pennies now. Err, saving your bundles of Grants and Franklins.

According to Autocar, there's also not going to be any Black Series C-Series cars because the limited edition AMGs must be based on two-door models (though we'll see how long that actually lasts). There will, however, be a new C63 - and unlike the upcoming Black Series E-Class Coupe, there will be better driving through more power. The current C63 is AMG's weakest offering with "only" 453 horsepower on tap. The new version will belch thrust to the tune of 500 to 525 ponies. Phew, we were worried there for a moment that AMG had lost its power uber all mind. One last thing: even though it will fit, there's no plan to use the highly lauded seven-speed dual-clutch Speedshift transmission from the E63 and SL63 in the C63. Pity.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Photos Copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Autocar]

AMG-fettled Mercedes E-Class Coupe to favor agility over power? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Aug 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Mercedes delaying not delaying E-Class convertible, wagon

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 26 May 2009 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, Mercedes-Benz

UPDATE: Mercedes wrote us to say that the report of E wagon and cabrio delays is inaccurate, and "the cars are on schedule as planned."

There's a financial swine flu making its way through the car industry. Chrysler caught it and it proved terminal. Porsche was on intensive care for a moment but should recover. And now Mercedes, it turns out, has a runny nose and a little cough. The home of the three-pointed-star is delaying the introduction of the E-Class convertible and wagon in order to save money on development and marketing.

The E-Class convertible was due to be shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show later this year, but a report states we won't see the car unveiled until the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. In addition to the cash savings, it will also let Mercedes reveal the car much closer to convertible buying season. The E-Class wagon, described as a shooting brake and more design-driven wagon, won't bow until 2012.

The moves will allow Mercedes to stash money from E-Class sedan and coupe sales. It also lets Mercedes focus 2010 on the new CLS, its plans for the V6 Bluetec hybrid and, according to Auto Motor und Sport, a four-cylinder diesel replacement for the S-Class.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport (translated)]

REPORT: Mercedes ~~delaying~~ not delaying E-Class convertible, wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 May 2009 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath?

Chris Shunk — Tue, 19 May 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is all-new for 2010, with sleeker, sportier proportions and improved efficiency and performance. The E-Class also weighs 400 pounds less than its sedan stable-mate, but not because of light weight materials. It's because the E-Class coupe is underpinned by the C-Class platform, produced in the same Bremen factory as the C-class, while the E-Class sedan is built in Sindelfingen.

So why not just make a two-door C-Class and base another coupe on the new E-Class architecture? Ernst Lieb, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, said the C-Class platform was used to give the E-Class Coupe improved performance characteristics. Changing the C to an E also enables Mercedes to charge over $48,050 to start; $50 less than the outgoing CLK350, but a whole lot more than a two-door C-Class. With its smaller proportions and lighter weight, using the C-Class platform also enables Mercedes to make the new E-Class Coupe far more efficient than its predecessor. The E250 diesel will deliver 36% better power while using 17% less fuel. Hat tip to Mike.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe a C-Class underneath? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 May 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Mercedes-Benz, First Drives, Luxury

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe - Click above for high-res image gallery

Do you hear that? That's the jostling of a Prada bag and a soy latte inside the the last Mercedes CLK as it cruises into what is commonly referred to as "oblivion." It's being replaced by the brand new E-Class Coupe. Or rather, it's not really a replacement; the new car is a reset of expectations from Mercedes' middle coupe, distinguished from its CLK niece with more size, more features and more brawn, and distinct from its E-Class sedan big brother by unique architecture and body panels. Our question was: could it distinguish itself? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 May 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz reportedly shooting for .20 Cd production car in next five years

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST

Filed under: Green, Mercedes-Benz

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe - Click above for a hi-res gallery

In a previous post from AutoblogGreen's Greenlings series, we took a brief look at how and why aerodynamics play a significant role in a vehicle's overall efficiency. To put in plainly, the easier a car is to push through the wind, the better its fuel efficiency is likely to be. Mercedes-Benz has made great strides in overall vehicle aerodynamics with its new 2010 E-Class Coupe, which boasts an impressive .24 coefficient of drag. According to that car's project manager Rainer Tiefenbacher, the best is yet to come:

"There is still plenty more to come as we explore ways of improving fuel efficiency. Designers are still learning about what works aerodynamically and are having to consider it more and more when they think about how a car will look. There are big steps to be made, especially around and under the engine hood."

Just how low could they go? Very low indeed, it would seem - the German automaker believes it will be selling cars with a Cd of less than .20 in just five years.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

[Source: Autocar]

Mercedes-Benz reportedly shooting for .20 Cd production car in next five years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Mercedes says it has no plans for new CLK63 AMG

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:27:00 EST

Filed under: Tuners, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

In a move sure to make shoulders slump and people ask "Why is this happening?", Mercedes will not produce a CLK63 AMG -- which would actually be an E Class Coupe AMG. The axing is due to the CLK moving from the C Class platform to the E Class, and Mercedes' view that a hotted up E Coupe with the 6.3-liter would be too close to the CLS 63 AMG "both in positioning and price."

A similarity in price is easy to digest, but the overlap in positioning sounds more like Mercedes is afraid sales of the E-Class Coupe AMG would cannibalize sales of the CLS63 AMG. Even if that's the case, it's a shame that Mercedes won't even consider a limited run, since such a car would be sure to sell just as well, if not better than the E63 AMG Wagon. The decision also vaporizes an E Coupe AMG Black series, and that would have been something special.

[Source: Autocar]

REPORT: Mercedes says it has no plans for new CLK63 AMG originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe caught in the buff

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe has been caught in the clear -- almost nude -- with just a little tape around the lights and decklid at a company presentation in Mallorca. We'll have to spend some time with that sculpted flank in person just to make sure, but in pictures, the former E-Class and CLK have successfully come together in the new E-Class sedan and E-Class Coupe. It could also be the third best translation of the design language that began with the S-Class (the C-Class is second), leaving the CL-Class a distinctive-yet-distant fourth. We'd imagine the E-Class Coupe is set for a New York or Geneva Auto Show unveiling, where we can inspect it thoroughly.

[Source: MotorPasion]

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe caught in the buff originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What the future holds for Mercedes-Benz coupes

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

Click above for more rejected renderings of the Mercedes-Benz CLC

Mercedes-Benz took the easy route when it comes to making its current CLC, using the previous C-Class coupe as a starting point instead of engineering a new entry-level model from the latest C-Class platform. That may be about to change, as CAR is reporting that MB will introduce a proper C-Class coupe to replace the CLC. The new model will ditch the cut-off hind-end of the current car, which isn't quite as pretty as its competition from Audi and BMW. A soft-top convertible is expected to follow a few months after the new 2010 C-Class coupe is introduced.

Moving up the Mercedes line, a new E-Class coupe is also in the works to offer a direct competitor to the Audi A5. We wonder if a "shooting brake" style hatchback could be offered as well. In any case, the two-door will lose its CLK nomenclature in favor of being known simply as a coupe. Also dead is the CL moniker, which will be replaced with an S-Class coupe. In addition to the expected gasoline and diesel-powered models, hybrids are expected to be offered across the entire Mercedes-Benz range in an effort to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLC renderings

Gallery: 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLC

[Source: CAR]

What the future holds for Mercedes-Benz coupes originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Oct 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes CL and CLK names say "Auf wiedesehen..."

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz may decide to call a coupe a coupe starting next year. If you want a CLK after 2009, you might have to settle for an E-Class Coupe or E-Class Convertible. Want a 2-door S-Class around the same time? Then you're after the S-Class Coupe. We don't know the reason for the potential name changes, especially since the cars have such great equity -- and taking eight minutes to say E-Class Coupe Black Series doesn't have nearly the to-the-point hotness of CLK Black Series, even though it's the same number of "syllables". The CL change might make more sense as the car wasn't a huge sales success, but drop those letters in conversation and you still get a forceful point across. We can only hope that the bard was right, and that a rose by any other name...

[Source: Benz Insider]

Mercedes CL and CLK names say "Auf wiedesehen..." originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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