Driven: New-gen Benz E-Class Coupe glides in

MERCEDES-BENZ Australia/Pacific has repositioned its new-generation E-Class Coupe to ensure it captures a different audience than its two-door C-Class stablemate, while luring buyers from other body styles, such as large sedans.

The latest E-Class Coupe is the second iteration of a two-door E-Class, following the previous C207 that was based on the underpinnings of the W204-series C-Class platform.

As reported, the new model shares its platform with the fifth-gen E-Class sedan that arrived in Australia in August, and is 123mm longer, 74mm wider, 33mm higher and has a 113mm-longer wheelbase than the model it replaces.

Sitting neatly between the C-Class and S-Class Coupes in Benz’s line-up, the new E-Class Coupe is 140mm longer, 50mm wider, 25mm higher and with a 33mm longer wheelbase than its C-Class equivalent.

Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific manager of public relations and product communications Jerry Stamoulis told GoAuto that E-Class Coupe buyers were “very different” to people who bought the two-door C-Class.

“Customers who buy this most likely will be coming out of another Benz, if not another E-Class Coupe,” he said at the two-door E-Class launch in Victoria.

“And they tend to hold onto their cars for a little bit longer. They are probably a little bit older. It is probably not the only car in the household.”

On average, Mercedes sold between 1000 to 1300 E-Class Coupes and Cabriolets annually in Australia in its previous generation, but sales have dipped in recent years.

It slipped to 957 units in 2015 before dipping further to 691 last year. So far this year, Benz has found 88 homes for the E-Class Coupe in run out, a 61 per cent slide.

Mr Stamoulis said he believed the new version could return to its pre-2015 annual sales figure once the Cabriolet arrives later this year.

“We have positioned this car differently from the previous E-Class Coupe from a specification point of view. So all E-Class Coupes get the AMG bodykit and wheels and the E300 and E400 get Air Body Control suspension. So with these types of options, we might see some customers actually jumping out of sedans considering the size. We might see some substitution.

“We actually don’t think there is a competitor for this vehicle. We think it is also an alternative for people that may have been buying other sedans or sportscars or whatever they may be, who want that coupe cruiser, but with some sportiness as well.”

Mr Stamoulis reiterated a global announcement that Benz would not build an AMG E63 version of the E-Class Coupe, but suggested there could be another performance variant waiting in the wings.

“When you look at our portfolio, you have a C63 Coupe at say $170,000. Then the E63 sedan which is at $240,000. This (E63 Coupe) would have to be at $260,000.

You are getting into (AMG) GT money. Getting into S-Class Coupe money. From a performance point of view, we may see an AMG in the future but it might not be wearing an E63 badge.” Until the arrival of a more potent E-Class Coupe down the track – potentially wearing an E43 badge – the line-up consists of the entry-level E220d diesel from $96,000 plus on-road costs, the E300 at $110,900 and the E400 4Matic from $145,900.

Over their E-Class sedan equivalents, the Coupes add a premium of $3100 for the E220d, $3000 over for the E300 and $6000 for the E400 4Matic.

Mr Stamoulis said the company was expecting the E300 to be the top seller with about 45 per cent of total sales, followed by the E400 4Matic on 35 per cent and the rest for the diesel.

Under the bonnet of the base E220d is a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine delivering 143kW/400Nm, driving the rear wheels via a ‘9G-Tronic’ nine-speed automatic transmission, which is fitted to all three variants.

Benz says it has a fuel economy figure of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres, which is 0.8L thirstier than its sedan equivalent, and CO2 emissions of 125g/km.

The zero to 100km/h dash is completed in 7.4 seconds, a tenth slower than the four door diesel.

The E300 uses Mercedes’ 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot petrol pumping out 180kW and 370Nm, the same as the equivalent sedan, and can sprint to 100km/h in 6.4s.

Fuel use is rated at 7.1L/100km and CO2 emissions are 163g/km.

At the top of the range, the E400 gains the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system and is powered by a 3.0-litre bi-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine with an output of 245kW and 480Nm.

It consumes 8.5L/100km, emits 191g/km of CO2 and can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 5.4s.

There is 425 litres of boot space in the coupe, down on the sedan’s 540 litres, but enough for two large suitcases and then some. It has a 40:20:40 split fold rear seat.

Standard safety gear on the E-Class Coupe includes a 360 degree camera with guidelines, an active bonnet, nine airbags, Adaptive Brake function with hill start assist, a maintenance interval detector, tyre pressure monitoring, run-flat tyres, Brake Assist, Attention Assist, crash responsive emergency lighting and a Driving Assistance package Plus that adds Drive Pilot, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic function, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Pre-Safe Plus.

Other standard equipment from 220d grade up includes ambient interior lighting with 64 colours, an LED interior light package, leather upholstery, AMG sports pedals, auto-dimming rearview mirror, automatic belt feeder, DAB+ digital radio, black ash wood trim, black roof liner, sports seats, flat-bottomed sports steering wheel, dual-zone auto climate control with dust filter, touchpad with Controller and a widescreen cockpit It also features the Comand online infotainment system with internet connectivity, high-resolution media screen, navigation with 3D map display and dynamic route guidance, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity.

The E220d also has 19-inch alloy wheels, AMG body styling, LED head and tail-lights, idle-stop, Parking Pilot, speed sensitive steering and keyless entry and start.

Stepping into the E300 adds heated front seats, Air Body Control suspension, 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels sports exhaust and Multibeam LED tail-lights with 84 individually controllable LEDs.

The E400 4Matic adds a head-up display, a 590-Watt, 13-speaker Burmester sound system, metallic paint, a panoramic sunroof and privacy glass from the B-pillar back.

E300 or E400 customers can option up an Edition 1 Package – limited to just 555 cars globally – that includes two-tone Nappa leather upholstery and Nappa leather and Dinamica micro-fibre sports steering wheel, Air-Balance interior filtering package, Designo cashmere white magno paintwork, bi-colour 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels, exterior design flourishes in black, and Edition 1 badging.

It adds $5900 to the E300 and $2420 to the price of the E400 4Matic.

Other packages on offer, depending on the variant include the Vision Package, Warmth Comfort Package, Exclusive Line and Night Package.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe pricing*

E220d (a)	$96,000
E300 (a)	$110,900
E400 4Matic (a)	$145,900

*Excludes on-road costs