On the 17th of April, we attended the regional launch of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe at the prestigious Dubai Design District. The launch follows the introduction of the E-Class sedan, arguably one of the the world’s most intelligent executive sedan, last year.
With a length of 4826 mm, a width of 1860mm and a height of 1430 mm, the all-new E-Class Coupe outsizes its predecessor in all 3 dimensions. The principal beneficiaries of the wider track, with 1605 mm at the front (+67 mm) and 1609 mm at the rear (+68 mm) are driving dynamics and space.
Visually, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is characterized by a distinctive front end with low-positioned sports grille with a central star, a long bonnet with power domes, a rearward-shifted, squat greenhouse and a slanted rear end, similar to the C-Class coupe. With it makes the world premiere of the welcome feature – the two-part, extremely flat LED tail lamps in combination with LED MULTIBEAM headlamps illuminate successively from the centre of the vehicle outwards, when the vehicle is opened. The light sequence runs in the opposite directions and is combined with an up and down dimming feature.
The AMG Line, gets unique front and rear bumpers and side skirts and larger AMG Styling wheels. It also comes with the chrome floating-dots diamond radiator grille and perforated brake discs on the front axle.The interior features high-grade ARTICO/DINAMICA (a fancy name for artifical leather) in black with grey contrasting top stitching, the Seat Comfort package and an AMG leather sports steering wheel. We especially like the aircraft turbine inspired air vents, which come standard through out the range.
Initially, 3 models will be offered, namely E 200, E 300 and E 400 4matic with outputs from 135 kW (184 hp) to 245 kW (333 hp) all hooked to a 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission. Further engine variants will follow. As standard comes DIRECT CONTROL suspension. The suspension is 15 millimetres lower than on the sedan and is tuned by an amplitude-dependent damping system. Alternatively, the all-new E-Class Coupé can be equipped with 3-chamber air suspension, including all-round roll/pitch/heave stabilization.
The E-Class Coupe is also equipped with Apple CarPlay smartphone integration, Widescreen Cockpit and the latest driver assistance systems like the standard Active Brake which warns the driver of an imminent collision, provides emergency braking autonomously; it can also detect pedestrians crossing. Other highlights include Distance Pilot DISTRONIC, which helps maintain distance behind vehicles and automatically follow them at a speed of up to 210 km/h.
On the inside, the instrument cluster shows virtual instruments, which can be selected by the driver in three different styles, “Classic”, “Sport” and “Progressive”. Touch Control buttons in the steering wheel enable the driver to control the instrument cluster and multimedia system using finger swipes without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.
The DYNAMIC SELECT makes it possible to select the suspension characteristics in combination with DYNAMIC BODY CONTROL and AIR BODY CONTROL. It also allows to alter vehicle settings such as the throttle response, ECO start/stop function, shift points of the automatic transmission and more.
The GCC pricing for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe starts at USD 59,950 (AED 220,000) for the E 200 Coupé. While, the E 400 Coupe and E 400 4MATIC Coupe will be available from July 2017 for USD 70,650 (AED 260,000) and USD 80,550 (AED 295,000), respectively. Any takers? Probably…many!
