HAMBURG, GERMANY – At the international launch of the facelifted Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet – which reach our market in the third quarter – the German manufacturer stressed its mid-range two-door models’ dynamic prowess. Their revised appearance apparently stretch forward towards the “serpentines of this world”. I’m not a marketer, so I haven’t the foggiest what that means. But apparently, owing to such technologies as Agility Control suspension, Direct Select steering and further clumsy nomenclature, the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are the perfect solutions if you seek a rakish two-door with which to tackle turns and twists.
Which couldn’t be further from the truth, I’m happy to report. The E400 Coupe in which I spent most of my time was exceptionally comfortable (even though it rode on optional 19-wheels wrapped in ribbon-thin 30-profile tyres), refined and supremely stable even at 240 km/h on the autobahn. But it isn’t BMW 6 Series sporty, which makes it all the more endearing.
The big news besides the cosmetic enhancements is the addition of a brand-new 3,0-litre V6 engine boosted with two turbos. It delivers 245 kW at 5 500 r/min and 480 N.m from 1 400 all the way to 4 000 r/min, and powers the E400 to 100 km/h in a claimed 5,2 seconds before hitting its limiter at 250 km/h. Yet it consumes only 7,4 litres/100 km in the combined cycle and emits just 172 g/km of CO2. Subjectively, this powertrain feels as smooth as BMW’s equivalent 3,0-litre but just misses matching the latter’s luscious sound. It’s a great pairing with the revised and excellent seven-speed automatic transmission (not always the smoothest of gearboxes in previous versions).
Outside, gone are the four individual headlamps, replaced with single units with LED technology on dipped and main beam. It’s certainly striking, but it definitely isn’t elegant. At the rear, the updates have been far more subtle and limited to revised lamps and bumper.
Inside, the revised two-door E gains new air vents, an analogue clock, new colour combinations (including a beige and blue option, which looks better than it sounds), instruments with a TFT display. The cabin perhaps betrays most that the E-Class isn’t quite a 6 Series competitor (and therefore priced accordingly) – it’s too similar in appearance and application of materials to the saloon and station wagon. That said, subjective build quality is beyond reproach.
Making its debut in full form on the E-Class is Mercedes-Benz Electric Drive, an umbrella term for a suite of safety features including cameras in the rear-view mirrors that monitor the areas in front of the vehicle at a range of up to 500 metres. These relay information to the ECU, which processes this info and decides whether there is a threat to occupants’ safety and, if so, which safety systems to employ, including Collision Prevention Assist, Steering Assist (which returns the vehicle to its lane should it stray) and Brake Assist which will now brake the car for pedestrians and cross traffic, among many others.
Its remains unclear whether Mercedes-Benz South Africa will drop the E500 in favour of the E400 as in some European markets, or use the latter to replace the E350 with its aging 3,5-litre V6. However, the E250 (updated and delivering 155 kW and 350 N.m of torque) will still form part of the range. What we do know is that it is a successful update of an already very good vehicle and remains the quintessential mid-range coupe for buyers whose budgets don’t stretch much north of R1 million.
Specifications
Model: Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe
Engine: 3,0-litre, V6, biturbo-petrol
Power: 245 kW at 5 500 r/min
Torque: 480 N.m at 1 400-4 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 5,2 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Fuel consumption: 7,4 L/100 km
CO2: 172 g/km
All manufacturer’s claimed figures
