Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe 2017 Review - International

Brains versus brawn
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is already touted as the world's most intelligent car. Problem is, its exterior styling just isn't smart enough to differentiate from the smaller, cheaper C-Class. Honestly, try telling the two apart from 50 paces away...

But the new E-Class Coupe? Well, it brings a fresh new aesthetic to the table, one that shows just how creative and artistic Mercedes-Benz designers can be when given the freedom to ditch the cookie-cutter designs that head-office seems intent on peddling.

To cut a long story short, you get the same level of technological awesomeness pioneered on the E-Class sedan but without the grandpa stigma.

Dead set, this car is gorgeous. It's incredibly striking in the metal and makes a powerful impression whether parked or in motion.

As your eyes drink in the car's gentle curves and flowing roofline, the short front overhang and pillar-less window line, some of the classic ‘Benz coupes from the 1960s and 1970s spring to mind.

Wider and longer than the previous generation, the new E-Class Coupe has formidable presence. All models sold in Australia ride on tastefully-designed 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels and the car sit low to the ground, adding an athletic bent.

Aussie cars also get an AMG Line body styling package as standard but the E-Class Coupe's eye-catching design comes at a cost.

The deletion of the rear doors means rear seat passengers have to clamber (often inelegantly) into the rear seats. The longer doors are heavier and are tricky to open/close if parked on an angle.

There's also less boot space than the sedan, down to 425 litres, but there's enough capacity to swallow two large suitcases and a couple of smaller ones too.

History will decide if the E-Class coupe becomes a classic, but in this author’s mind it is well on the way to achieving that.

Enthusiastic driving recommended, but not essential
Engine howling, suspension loaded up, arms crossed up on the steering wheel mid-corner? No dramas, because the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe has the dynamic chops to match its sporty surface.

Despite weighing 1845kg, the range-topping E 400 model performed admirably on a tightly curving stretch of coastal road. It changed direction rapidly without wallowing, it sat flat through corners, tracking like a laser-guided missile, and developed high levels of grip from its Pirelli P Zero rubber.

The impressive cornering attitude is owed in large part to the fitment of a very clever air suspension system, dubbed Air Body Control. Both models we tested, the E 300 and E 400, are packaged with this as standard, and it works by pumping air into a trio of chambers located at each wheel to keep the car flat and level.

It will even adjust the car's ride height, lowering the vehicle when speeds rise to reduce fuel consumption (via lower drag). In addition, the chassis is enhanced by adaptive dampers that reduce body roll and pitch.

The E-Class coupe isn’t perfect, though. The acceleration and braking are about as thrilling as lukewarm breakfast cereal, partly because of the car's hefty kerb weight. In saying that, this is what makes the car's handling dynamics and driver engagement levels such a surprise.

What the powertrain does do well is smooth cruising. The nine-speed automatic gearbox that's standard on all models gives the car lovely long legs, so it floats along the freeway quietly and efficiently.

Both the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four (180kW/370Nm) and 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 (245kW/480Nm) in the E 300 and E 400 deliver a level of refinement befitting of a big, bold, elegant grand tourer such as this.

I just wish there was more mumbo. The four-cylinder E 300's 0-100km/h claim is 6.4 seconds. The E 400's sprint is claimed at 5.3, but based on my primitive sun-dial timing equipment neither gets anywhere near those measures.

This would normally be the point where we make reference to a high-powered AMG-fettled model. But sadly, there's no bent-eight on the horizon for the E-Class coupe.

Smooth sailing for a big barge
Ride comfort is superb, even on the massive 20-inch alloy wheels. The sultry E-Class Coupe car glides over bridge joins and absorbs crumbling, deteriorated road surfaces with a fluidity that borders on supernatural.

Again, it's the air suspension setup that performs the magic here, endowing the coupe with an incredibly wide dynamic scope - from apex animal to boulevard cruiser.

Comfort is guaranteed and there's plenty of tech to keep you relaxed on long boring highway drives and bumper-to-bumper traffic too. The Drive Pilot system provides the car with semi-automated functionality, enabling it to brake, accelerate and steer with no input from the driver.

In some situations Drive Pilot worked really well, such as on high-speed flowing highways.

Just sit back, relax and touch the steering wheel buttons every 20 seconds or so to keep the system going. You can tap the indicator and it'll change lanes hands-free, too.

But the system is far from seamless: at one point of the test it randomly slammed on the autonomous braking system, which wasn't so pleasant.

Audacious interior design will drop jaws
The coupe’s cabin bears strong similarities with the E-Class sedan, sharing absolutely massive dual 31.2cm high-res displays, a multi-function steering wheel with twin touch pads and identical switchgear. But the classically styled air-vents in the coupe are all-new, providing the car with a lavish look and feel that draws the eye and the hand upon first settling down in the cushy, fully-adjustable leather seats.

There's loads of different wood-grain inlays (including a new open-pore finish), along with various colour options and metallic accents for the interior. In short, there's virtually nothing within the cabin that isn't pleasant to touch.

The E 400 Coupe also brings a sonorous 13-speaker, 590-watt Burmester surround sound system to the party, head-up display that shows sat-nav directions and speed, and a panoramic glass sunroof.

Compared to the predecessor (which is based on the smaller C-Class platform), the new ‘E’ Coupe offers more interior space for front and rear passengers. Rear seat headroom becomes a little cramped for taller passengers and the sedan definitely feels more spacious, but it's not an unpleasant place to spend time.

The 2+2 seat cabin's extra interior room is liberated via an E-Class Coupe platform that is 123mm longer and 74mm wider than the previous generation.

It's not a small car, measuring 4826mm in length and 1860mm in width, but thanks to more parking sensors, cameras and radar tech than ever before, there’s no trouble getting your bearings.

This is the E-Class you drive if you want the world to know you've got style – and care little for rear seat passengers.

Effortless grand touring comfort mixed with intriguing technology and a dash of athleticism make the E-Class Coupe an engaging but effortless vehicle to drive. It rewards the driver when driven enthusiastically, and proves that you can put a price on style.

2017 Mercedes-Benz E 400 Coupe pricing and specifications:
Price: $145,900 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo-petrol
Output: 245kW/480Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 183g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: N/A