C238 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe officially unveiled

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Coupé; 2016; Exterieur: designo hyazinthrot metallic, AVANTGARDE ;
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé; 2016; exterior: designo hyacinth red metallic, AVANTGARDE;

Mercedes-Benz has introduced yet another addition to the W213 E-Class family, the new C238 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé. After years of being an E-Class only in name (the previous model, as well as the CLKs that came before it, were actually based on the C-Class), the new car finally shares its underpinnings with the sedan, for the first time since the C124 model of the late ’80s and early ’90s.

It’s certainly a very stylish car, one that clearly takes from the sedan, yet has a style all of its own. The front end with the tapering headlights, large grille and bone-shaped air intake is taken from its four-door cousin, but the two-door also adds twin powerdomes on the bonnet, like on AMG models.

Down the side, the low-slung roofline flows towards the rear of the car. Like its predecessor, the new model features a small quarter light window at the rear to allow all four frameless side windows to wind down; once down, there’s an uninterrupted opening thanks to the lack of B-pillars. The side surfacing has been made simpler with the removal of the W213’s shoulder crease, lending to a more sensual form.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Coupé; 2016; Exterieur: designo hyazinthrot metallic, AVANTGARDE ;
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé; 2016; exterior: designo hyacinth red metallic, AVANTGARDE;

Moving towards the rear, there are prominent haunches above the rear wheels for added muscle, while the flat two-piece tail lights and low-mounted number plate recess are carried over from the C- and S-Class Coupé. As with the sedan, the coupé’s LED tail lights have optics designed to provide a shimmery appearance, said to be reminiscent of the glow of a jet engine.

Unlike the sedan, the coupé comes in Avantgarde trim as standard, with a dinner plate-sized three-point star in the centre of the chrome-plated diamond grille, along with cross-drilled front brake discs. There’s also an AMG Line kit with sportier front and rear bumpers and side skirts, as well as larger AMG Styling wheels.

Since it’s now actually based on the E-Class sedan instead of the C-Class, the new coupé is significantly larger than its predecessor. Measuring 4,826 mm long, 1,860 mm wide and 1,430 mm tall, it’s a whopping 123 mm longer, 74 mm wider and 32 mm taller than before, while its 2,873 mm wheelbase is also 113 mm longer. This provides improved interior space, particularly for the rear passengers.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Coupé; 2016; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige / espressobraun; Zierteile designo Holz Magnolie flowing lines braun ;
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé; 2016; interior: Leather macchiato beige / espresso brown (205), designo brown flowing lines magnolia wood trim parts;

Inside, it is almost identical to the sedan, featuring the optional Widescreen Cockpit with twin 12.3-inch displays, Touch Control pads on the steering wheel to control the instrument cluster and COMAND centre screen, full-width decorative trim and four centre air vents. Speaking of which, the vents themselves are new – and derived from last year’s Concept IAA – with a design said to be inspired by a turbine engine.

The W213’s full suite of technical innovations can be found here as well, including Qi wireless smartphone charging, an NFC-enabled smartphone Digital Car Key, standard-fit Active Brake Assist autonomous emergency braking, Drive Pilot semi-autonomous driving features and Remote Parking Pilot.

Also available are Multibeam LED headlights, with 84 individually-actuated diodes that allow for full-time high beam without dazzling other road users. Buyers can also specify Magic Vision Control which sprays washer fluid directly from the wipers, providing uninterrupted vision and improved cleaning power.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Coupé; 2016; Interieur: Leder macchiatobeige / espressobraun; Zierteile designo Holz Magnolie flowing lines braun ;
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé; 2016; interior: Leather macchiato beige / espresso brown (205), designo brown flowing lines magnolia wood trim parts;

At launch, the new E-Class Coupé will come with a choice of four engines, including the new all-aluminium 2.0 litre turbodiesel in the E 220 d that produces 194 hp at 3,800 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm. It is capable of a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 7.4 seconds, a top speed of 242 km/h and combined fuel consumption of 4.0 litres per 100 km.

On the petrol side, the ubiquitous M274 2.0 litre turbocharged four-pot powers both the E 200 and E 300. In the former, the engine produces 184 hp at 5,500 rpm and 300 Nm from 1,200 to 4,000 rpm, while the latter bumps outputs to 245 hp and 370 Nm.

Mercedes-Benz E-Klasse Coupé; 2016 ;
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé; 2016;

At the top of the range sits the E 400 4Matic which, as its name suggests, gets four-wheel drive. The 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 in this one makes 333 hp between 5,250 and 6,000 rpm, along with 480 Nm from 1,600 rpm to 4,000 rpm, enabling the E 400 to sprint to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds before hitting its 250 km/h electronically-limited top speed. All models come with a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic transmission as standard.

Direct Control suspension is fitted as standard, sitting 15 mm lower than the sedan and tuned for comfort with amplitude-dependent damping. There’s Dynamic Body Control adaptive damping available too, along with full Air Body Control air suspension; together with throttle response and transmission shift pattern, they are controlled via the Dynamic Select system with Comfort, ECO, Sport, Sport + and Individual modes.

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