Sub-$100K start for Mercedes E-Class Coupe

Mercedes-Benz will launch its all-new two-door E-Class with a sub-$100K price-tag from mid-2017. Sporting a smooth, new design and cutting-edge semi-autonomous driving aids, the all-new E-Class Coupé will officially go on sale Down Under from June.

The new two-door, four-seat vehicle features "state-of-the-art technology" that allows it to drive itself in certain situations. The local line-up will comprise three models priced from between $96,000 and $145,900.

Most of the technology and running gear from the E-Class sedan carries over into the E-Class Coupé. This includes the Drive Pilot tech that scans the road and can change lanes, steer, brake and accelerate virtually autonomously.

Standard features for all E-Class Coupé models delivered in Australia also include a widescreen cockpit, comprising a pair of massive 12.3-inch ( 31.2cm) high-res displays side-by-side. They have a resolution of 1920x720 pixels.

There's also a remote parking pilot, adaptive suspension, intelligent LED headlights, touch controls on the steering wheels and new take on the interior design, featuring turbine-look air vents and two new interior colours; "yacht blue" and "titian red".

While the sedan has been called the world's most intelligent car, the coupé has been dubbed "intelligence in its finest form" by the German prestige giant.

During the E-Class coupe’s global premiere at the 2017 Detroit motor show (see above link), Mercedes-Benz chief of design Gorden Wagener said the vehicle was "a completely clean car, the first car that has no lines."

Based on the same platform as the E-Class sedan (W213), the new model is perceptibly larger than its predecessor, which was based on the C-Class. It's now 123mm longer and 74mm wider, measuring 4826mm long and 1860mm wide. It has 425 litres of boot space.

The Australian market 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé model range is priced as follows:
E 220 d Coupé $96,000
E 300 Coupé $110,900
E 400 4MATIC Coupé $145,900

The German car-maker has said there are no plans for a fire-breathing AMG E 63 do to cost and potential crossovers with go-fast versions of the C-Class and S-Class coupes.

All E-Class coupe models sold in Australia will be paired with a nine-speed auto. The E 400 features Mercedes’ road-oriented all-wheel drive system.

Equipment grades
The E 220 d Coupé ($96,000) is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine rated at 143kW and 400Nm, and commands a $13,000 premium over the E 220 d sedan ($82,990). It achieves a claimed fuel economy of 4.9L/100 and rides on 19-inch alloy wheels. Standard equipment includes the sporty AMG Line body styling package, leather upholstery, keyless entry and engine start and Android Auto/Apple CarPlay compatibility.

The E 300 Coupé ($110,900) is propelled by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine pumping out 180kW and 370Nm. Fuel consumption is claimed at 6.4L/100km and it gets everything from the E 220 d plus larger 20-inch AMG alloy wheels, a sports exhaust system, air suspension, heated front seats and intelligent Multibeam LED headlights that Benz says won't dazzle oncoming cars even when high beam is switched on.

Lastly, the range-topping E 400 Coupé ($145,900) gets a 245kW, 480Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine paired with 4MATIC all-wheel drive to see the vehicle sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.3sec. The 400 gets everything from the above two models and adds a premium Burmester stereo system (13-speakers and a 590-Watt output). It also nabs a head-up display, metallic paintwork, privacy glass and a panoramic glass roof.

Mercedes-Benz Australia will also offer an Edition 1 Package, which will be in short supply considering just 555 cars will be released globally. These can be added to E 300 and E 400 Coupé models and bring two-tone Nappa leather, a special microfiber sports steering wheel and designo cashmere white magno [satin] paintwork.

The Edition 1 Package also adds twin-colour 20-inch AMG multi-spoke alloy wheels and Edition 1 badging. It adds an extra $5900 or $2420 to the E 300 Coupé and E 400 Coupé respectively.

In 2016 a total of 691 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupes and Convertibles were sold, down from 957 the year prior.