Great value; twin-turbo V6 a cracker; oozes style inside and out
‘V8-fans’ will lament the burble of the E500
Mercedes-Benz updated E-Class lineup has been boosted by the arrival of the stylish Coupe and Cabriolet models. Like the E-Class Saloon and Estate, the two-door versions replace the outgoing V8-powered E 500 model with an all-new E400 powered by a bi-turbo 3.0-litre V6.
There’s also a new entry-level model, the turbocharged 2.0-litre E 200. Across the range, the updated E-Class scores extra equipment which ‘Benz says improves the value equation by up to $20,000 (E 400 Coupe compared to the previous E 500 Coupe).
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet Overview
Just like the updated E-Class saloon and estate models, Mercedes-Benz has changed the model lineup for the Coupe and Cabriolet versions. Diesel power for the two-door models (E 250 CDI) is only available in coupe version.
And the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet boast the freshened interior and exterior looks we’ve seen in the saloon and Estate models.
Specification levels are typical for Mercedes-Benz – that means extensive. The E 200 models features Benz’ collision prevention assistance system and blind-spot monitoring as standard and rides on 18-inch alloy wheels (19-inch alloys for all others).
Included in the extras for the range-topping E 400 are the excellent 360-degree camera system and Harman Kardon audio system.
The full lineup is:
Coupe
E 200 $79,900
E 250 $96,400
E 250 CDI $98,900
E 400 $128,545
Cabriolet
E 200 $88,900
E 250 $106,400
E 400 $142,545
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet Engine
The engine choice mirrors the E-Class Saloon and Estate – an all-turbocharged lineup.
Four-cylinder models (E200 and E250) are from the ‘BlueDIRECT’ family which means they use the same spray-guided direct fuel-injection system as the latest Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder and eight-cylinder powerplants (more efficient combustion for enhanced fuel consumption) – part of the story to comply with the 2015 EU6 standards.
The new entry-level E 200’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine delivers 135kW of power at 5500rpm and peak torque of 270Nm from 1200rpm.
Updates for the E 250’s turbocharged 2.0-litre, four-cylinder see maximum power climb by 5kW to 155kW at 5500rpm while peak torque grows by 40Nm to 350Nm from 1200rpm.
Diesel power (coupe only) is the E 250 CDI, a turbocharged 2.2-litre turbo-diesel good for 150kW at 3800rpm and 500Nm from 1600rpm – unchanged from the previous E 250 CDI.
At the top of the E-Class totem pole, the twin-turbo E500 V8 has been replaced by the all-new E 400 with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine. Maximum power is 245Nm at 5500rpm and peak torque of 480Nm arrives from 1400rpm.
All drive via Mercedes-Benz’ seven-speed 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet The Interior
Beautifully styled, clever and practical – would you expect anything else from Mercedes-Benz? Let’s start in the back-seat which, unlike some in this segment, affords two full adult-size seats with integrated head-rests (separated by a handy centre console).
Easy entry is assured thanks to a smart system which with the touch of a lever next to the front seat head-rests, simultaneously folds the seat-backs forward and slides the seat bases forwards. Front seat belts often tangle in coupe/cabriolets, but not in the E-Class thanks to Benz’ automated system which on engine start-up electronically extends the belts for easy reach (and retracts them out of the way when not in use).
Even the boot space is impressive (60:40 split-fold rear seat in the E-Class Coupe) with 450-litres for the coupe and 390-litres/300-litres for the Cabriolet (depending on the roof’s position).
Naturally there’s lots of leather – including the dashboard - and trim highlights can be selected in wood or aluminium.
Like the E-Class Saloon and Estate, the two-door version adopts a new instrument cluster with white dials and a full-colour TFT display. New-design air-vents and an analogue clock are also noticeable in the updates.
Likewise the new centre console with more storage (the gear lever has shifted to the steering column). The steering wheel gets a galvanised finish (electronically adjustable for rake/reach).
As usual, the front seats are stylish and nicely supportive and the driving position is top-notch.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet Exterior & Styling
No doubt about it, Mercedes-Benz pillar-less two door is one the most elegant designs of the current era – in either hard-top (Coupe) or soft-top (Cabriolet). The Cabriolet roof takes 20 seconds to raise/lower at speeds of up to 40km/h and here’s some attention to detail – the 26.5mm thick fabric roof has been specified so that it can go through automatic car-washes with no damage or leaking (typical ‘Benz fastidiousness).
The Cabriolet differs slightly from the Coupe for rollover protection – thicker front A-pillars and active roll bars behind the rear seats.
Most noticeable in the styling upgrades is the new front-end which gives the E-Class a more muscular look. That would be thanks to a new-design bonnet, new-design grille and those clever headlights (LED main beam for the E 200, full LED for the others) which are an integrated unit which still maintains the hallmark E-Class ‘four-eye look’ thanks to clever use of the DRLs.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet On The Road
Car Showroom got behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe (E 400) and Cabriolet (E 250) at the national media launch. Held in Daylesford, Victoria with an ambient temperature never above six-degrees, we took the opportunity to try the neck-warming AIRSCARF in the cabrio…and it was excellent, sending a blast of warm air to the back of your neck via adjustable vents under the head-rests.
And we sampled the ‘Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive System’ with its brilliant camera-based self-steering function. Using white lines as references, the E-Class steers can steer itself for short periods and, unlike some similar rival systems, does actually maintain the centre of your lane (of course it’s not ‘auto-pilot’ and dashboard warning lights tell you when it de-activates).
Naturally E-Class fans will be curious about the performance of the twin-turbo V6 E 400 which, with 245kW/480Nm, replaces the 300kW/600Nm E 500. The fact is the $178,585 E 500 Coupe and $188,635 E 500 Cabriolet have been replaced by the $128,545 E 400 Coupe and $142,545 E 400 Coupe and ‘Benz reckons in a full-year the mid-life update E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet will sell in bigger numbers than when the all-new model was first launched.
In terms of performance, the mighty twin-turbo V6 is almost identical to the previous V8 (zero to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds for the coupe and 5.3 seconds for the Cabriolet).
No changes underneath with the E-Class riding on Benz’ superb multi-link suspension which delivers the hallmark German firm, precise ride and brilliant handling dynamics. Over the well-known twists and climbs outside Daylesford, both the E 250 and E 400 easily managed the slimy conditions with the usual Mercedes slickness and high-performance balance.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet Challenges
Are you kidding? The latest E-Class Cabriolet and Coupe, at these prices, are unbeatable.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet Verdict
Mercedes-Benz has brought its ‘A-Game’ with the latest E-Class – extra specifications and sharper pricing is a winning combination. If you chose to criticize the outgoing models, value-for-money may have been your avenue, but ‘Benz has addressed that across the range and with the E200.
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe And Cabriolet The Competition
Audi’s A5 Coupe and Cabriolet have wide model ranges and sharp prices but there’s no doubt the latest E-Class has laid-down a serious challenge. The range-topping RS5 Coupe and S5 Cabriolet are both brilliant performers.
BMW’s 3 Series Convertible is a bit smaller that the E-Class of course and in ‘non-M’ models isn’t as dynamic.
