FIRST DRIVE – MERCEDES-BENZ E-CLASS COUPE

Stylish, Safe, Sumptuous and Swift.

Review by Gerry Frechette

The launch of a new E-Class is a momentous occasion for Mercedes-Benz, as the model is the heart of the lineup, and its top seller worldwide. One might expect the sedan to lead the way, but this time around, it is the new Coupe that is first out of the gate in Canada, replacing the previous CLK in the lineup in an attempt to streamline the large number of models available.

The new Mercedes design language that we have already seen with the C and GLK models is much in evidence here, with lots of straight lines and angles. A coupe, though, must have a flowing roofline, and this the E does. Mercedes wanted the car to have uninterrupted side glass with no B-pillar, and the rear side windows go all the way down into the body, although a small triangle of glass at the rear-most corner on each side was just too long to fit, and remains fixed.

The E Coupe is available in two models at launch, the E350 and E550, with 3.5L V6 and 5.5L V8, respectively. Backing them both up is the 7G-TRONIC 7-speed Driver Adaptive automatic transmission. They are both familiar and well-proven engines, and the V6 has plenty of power in any normal situation. But then, some people must have a V8, and

this one makes for a serious performance car.

Optional on each is an AMG Sport Package with 18-inch wheels, performance tires, sport steering wheel, and more,depending on model.

In the luxury sport tourer class, technology is paramount for image and performance, and the E Coupe has it in spades, including some features debuting on it. One such technology is Attention Assist, which continually monitors and evaluates more than 70 different parameters such as steering behaviour, in order to recognize driver drowsiness and to provide warning in advance of critical moments of micro-sleep. Research shows that drowsy drivers make tiny steering errors that they frequently correct very quickly and in a characteristic manner. This steering behaviour is recognized by a special steering wheel angle sensor. Audible and visual warnings alert the driver.

Also standard is Adaptive High Beam Assist combined with Active Bi-Xenon headlamps, which adjust continuously to suit prevailing traffic conditions and react automatically in order to provide the driver with the best possible illumination of the road. Using a camera mounted on the inside of the windshield, the system recognizes oncoming and leading traffic and adjusts the headlamps to avoid blinding other drivers. The range of the low beams can thus be extended from 64 metres to nearly 300 metres. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam.

There is much more, but insufficient space to describe it all. Suffice to say that the new E-Class Coupe is a personal luxury coupe, done the Mercedes-Benz way – stylish, safe, sumptuous and swift.

Specifications:

Base price (MSRP): ————– (E350) $58,600, (E550) $68,200

Type:  —————————————- 2-door, 4-passenger coupe

Layout: ———————————-  Front engine/rear-wheel drive

Engine: —————————————————- 3.5L V6, 5.5L V8

Horsepower: ——————————————————- 268 / 382

Torque: ——————————————————– 258 / 391 lb-ft

Transmission: —————————————– 7-speed automatic

Brakes: —————————— Vented discs, front and rear, ABS

Fuel economy: ————————— (V6) 11.9 / 7.6, (V8) 14.0/8.7

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