Almost one year after showing the all-new E-Class sedan, Mercedes-Benz has now revealed the coupe version. It shares its underpinnings with the more sedate-looking four-door, and as a result is longer, wider, and taller than the outgoing model. The overall length and wheelbase have increased by a noteworthy 4.8 and 4.4 inches respectively.
A softer, more organic-looking body covers this bigger chassis, and it takes cues from both its larger and smaller coupe siblings. This is by no means a complaint, as both the S-Class and C-Class coupes are quite attractive, and the look translates well to the midsize E-Class. One thing that hasn't changed is the exclusion of a B-pillar. The true hardtop design is rare nowadays, and the E-Class was the only Mercedes coupe in the line-up to have it until the S-Class coupe launched. Buyers will be able to enhance the look with an optional Sport Package that adds more aggressive bumpers, side skirts, and wheels.
The larger body pays dividends inside the new coupe, particularly in the back. Mercedes claims that rear passengers will enjoy more head, leg, and shoulder room in this model. Aside from the extra space, the coupe features a dashboard that is nearly identical to the sedan's, and, once again, that's not a bad thing. The primary difference is in the air vents, which Mercedes said were inspired by jet turbines. Having effectively the same interior means that the coupe gets a standard 12.3-inch infotainment display, and it also offers an optional 12.3-inch instrument display that merges with the infotainment. Speaking of infotainment, the coupe will also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there's available Mbrace Concierge service.
A softer, more organic-looking body covers this bigger chassis, and it takes cues from both its larger and smaller coupe siblings. This is by no means a complaint, as both the S-Class and C-Class coupes are quite attractive, and the look translates well to the midsize E-Class. One thing that hasn't changed is the exclusion of a B-pillar. The true hardtop design is rare nowadays, and the E-Class was the only Mercedes coupe in the line-up to have it until the S-Class coupe launched. Buyers will be able to enhance the look with an optional Sport Package that adds more aggressive bumpers, side skirts, and wheels.
The larger body pays dividends inside the new coupe, particularly in the back. Mercedes claims that rear passengers will enjoy more head, leg, and shoulder room in this model. Aside from the extra space, the coupe features a dashboard that is nearly identical to the sedan's, and, once again, that's not a bad thing. The primary difference is in the air vents, which Mercedes said were inspired by jet turbines. Having effectively the same interior means that the coupe gets a standard 12.3-inch infotainment display, and it also offers an optional 12.3-inch instrument display that merges with the infotainment. Speaking of infotainment, the coupe will also come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and there's available Mbrace Concierge service.
Some other fancy gadgets available aboard the E-Class coupe include the company's Drive Pilot semi-autonomous driver assist, and Distance Pilot Distronic adaptive cruise control. The latter feature is now capable of managing following distances at speeds of 130 mph. While useful on the German autobahn, we don't imagine that capability is necessary here in the States. The coupe also offers Magic Vision Control, which eschews common wiper washer sprayers for outlets on the wipers themselves.
The E-Class coupe, unlike the sedan, will only be available in two trim levels: the rear-wheel-drive E400 and all-wheel-drive E400 4MATIC. Both models will be powered by a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter V6 coupled to a 9-speed automatic transmission. Output for the V6 is 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, which matches the previous model. This time around, though, peak torque starts and ends a bit higher in the rev range. Everything is suspended atop either the standard steel spring and shock suspension, or optional air suspension.
Mercedes didn't provide pricing for the new E-Class coupe, but did announce availability. The car will arrive at dealers in the summer of 2017 following its debut at the 2017 North American International Auto Show. Although Mercedes made no reference to future coupe variants, we expect a convertible and at least one AMG in the future. The AMG version could be a mild E43 with a warmed-over V6, or a full-blown E63, perhaps with a version of the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 in the Mercedes-AMG GT.
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