Like the Saloon and Estate models, Mercedes-Benz has completely revised the Coupé and Cabriolet members of the E-Class family. New additions include powerful and efficient BlueDIRECT four-cylinder engines featuring pioneering injection technology and trend-setting assistance systems, which come under the heading “Intelligent drive”. These are systems which can help to prevent accidents with crossing vehicles or pedestrians, Active Lane Keeping Assist or anti-glare, permanent high-beam headlamps, for example. Visually, both the Coupé and Cabriolet draw on the new Mercedes-Benz design idiom. Exclusive, luxurious equipment for sublime refinement underlines the close affinity with the E-Class family.The classic Coupé and the four-seater Cabriolet of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are amongst the most desirable vehicles at the higher end of the mid-class segment. By combining intelligent, efficient technology with luxurious equipment that offers superb comfort, neither model compromises when it comes to indulging a passion for superlative driving enjoyment. That is why they are regarded as highlights of the successful E-Class family. The design of the exterior and interior alike is fresh and sharp, as befits many of the stand-out new technical aspects.
According to Dr Joachim Schmidt, member of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars and responsible for Sales and Marketing: “Three words sum up both the E-Class Coupé and the four-seater Cabriolet model: captivating, athletic, passionate. It is especially pleasing that the two vehicles also incorporate the most intelligent technology ever. This makes them true dream cars.”
Design: e-motion at its best
The main feature of the new look E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet is the revised front with new headlamps comprising a single headlamp lens over all functional elements. The headlamps are fitted with anti-dazzle LED lights as standard, with full LED technology now available for the first time in this class as an option. Flowing light elements within the headlamps reinforce the “twin-headlamp” look which is typical of the E-Class.
New front bumpers with a more pronounced V-shape and large air intakes considerably accentuate the dynamism of these agile vehicles. As a whole, the front with sports car radiator has an autonomous, sporty face, while at the same time emphasising the close affinity between the Coupé and Cabriolet and the new E-Class Saloon.
As a visible sign of this sporty car’s rear-wheel drive, the muscular-looking rear wing has been retained. New tail lamps and a wide-effect rear bumper with “wing design” and chrome-look trim serve to discreetly underline the athletic appearance of these model series.
The Coupé has classic proportions with a long bonnet, elongated side line, flat roof line, and powerful tail end. Traditional stylistic features which render the Mercedes-Benz Coupé models unmistakeable define the striking lines of the two-door variant. For example, uninterrupted by a B-pillar, the side windows can be opened to their full extent.
The four-seater Cabriolet model also has fully retractable side windows, with a continuous shoulder line that ascends slightly as it runs from the front to the boot lid emphasising its clear proportions.
A fine interior
Mercedes-Benz has additionally updated the interiors of the new-generation E‑Class Coupé and Cabriolet, carefully coordinating them with the expressive exteriors. Inside the vehicles, stylish materials dominate alongside clean-cut surfaces and the two-part trim which stretches across the entire dashboard. It can be selected in a wood or aluminium look, thereby rounding off the high-quality overall impression made by each interior.
Also new are the three-tube instrument cluster with dials backed in white and the trapezoid-shaped, high-gloss framed display in the head unit with flat-frame look. The kindred nature of the new E-Class family is indicated by an analogue clock between the redesigned air outlets, as well as by controls in silver chrome.
The interior is characterised by the redesigned centre console without selector lever, as well as a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles in conjunction with automatic transmission.
One special benefit of the new E-Class Cabriolet is that, thanks to the acoustic soft top with its particularly high-grade insulation, the vehicle has the lowest noise level in its class. The unique acoustic soft top ensures that even at high speeds, only very little wind noise is heard in the interior.
For exceptional comfort when driving with the top down, the speed-dependent AIRCAP system is available as standard in the UK. This reduces wind swirl within the vehicle interior and therefore noise levels, too. New: the AIRCAP system deploys automatically at speeds exceeding 25 mph and the wind deflector in the front windscreen frame automatically retracts again below 9 mph. This ensures that the E-Class Cabriolet appears at its purest and most alluring when driving slowly and when stationary. The draught-stop between the rear head restraints responds to the number of vehicle occupants (passengers in the rear are detected if the rear seat belts are in use). The positions of the extendable wind deflector in the windscreen frame and the draught-stop are then adjusted accordingly.
Also optionally available: AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This addition extends the cabriolet season by ensuring it is comfortable to drive with the top down, even when it is cold outside.
Limitless individual appointments
The E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet offer virtually unlimited scope for individualisation. Examples include new interior colours and colour combinations such as deep-sea blue to contrast with silk beige in the interior. This brings a breath of fresh air to the exclusive ambiance of the two sportier E-Class models.
“Intelligent drive” with futuristic new assistance systems
As for the Saloon and Estate models, new assistance systems that combine comfort with safety have found their way into the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet. Mercedes-Benz refers to this development as “Intelligent drive”.
One basis for all this is formed by state-of-the-art sensors such as a Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera in the vicinity of the rear-view mirror that provides a three-dimensional view up to around 50 metres in front of the vehicle. Intelligent algorithms merge the data from the stereo camera with data from installed radar sensors, performing an evaluation of three-dimensional visual information in order to detect vehicles that are driving ahead, oncoming or crossing, as well as pedestrians and a variety of traffic signs and road markings within a large field of vision. The algorithms also spatially classify moving objects.
As standard in the UK, both the Coupé and Cabriolet models are fitted with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a radar-based collision warning system with adaptive brake assist systems. It helps to significantly reduce the risk of a rear-end collision. Also forming part of the standard equipment is ATTENTION ASSIST, which is now able to warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness across a wider speed range, and also inform the driver about their level of fatigue and the amount of driving time which has elapsed since their last break. It also offers an adjustable sensitivity level.
As for the Saloon and Estate models, a number of assistance systems are also optionally available which are either new or now feature significantly extended functions. The following is an overview of the innovations:
- DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering Assist can help to take the burden off the driver when it comes to keeping the vehicle in its lane and also track traffic in tailbacks semi-automatically
- for the first time, the Brake Assist system BAS PLUS with Junction Assist is able to detect crossing traffic and pedestrians too, and boost the braking power applied by the driver accordingly
- the PRE-SAFE® Brake can detect pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking to avoid a collision at speeds up to 31 mph
- PRE-SAFE® PLUS can recognise an imminent rear-end collision. The driver of the vehicle following behind is warned by activation of the rear warning lights with increasing frequency. The PRE-SAFE®system then triggers occupant protection measures to reduce the forces to which occupants are subjected. It can also firmly apply the stationary vehicle’s brakes in the event of a rear-end collision to prevent secondary accidents
- Active Lane Keeping Assist can now detect when the adjacent lane is occupied, including detection of oncoming traffic. When there is the risk of a collision, the system can also prevent the vehicle from leaving its lane unintentionally, when continuous lines are present, by applying the brakes on one side. As such it makes the ideal supplement to Active Blind Spot Assist
- Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS allows the main-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling traffic by masking out other vehicles in the beams’ cone of light
- Active Parking Assist enables automated parking with active steering and brake control in both parallel and end-on spaces (standard in the UK)
- in addition to speed limits, Traffic Sign Assist can now also detect and display no-overtaking zones and the respective signs signalling their end. In the case of signs imposing access restrictions, it can also provide visual and acoustic warnings
- the 360-degree camera covers all four sides of the vehicle, thus enabling a uniform all-round view, including virtual bird’s eye view – a top-down view of the vehicle and its immediate surroundings. Dynamic guide lines help with entering and leaving parking spaces as well as manoeuvring
Professor Dr Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: “The new E-Class represents a major step forward in every respect. The design elicits plenty of emotion, causing a stir in its segment. Its technical highlights are unique. For example, new assistance systems from the upcoming S-Class take the burden off the driver by automatically keeping the vehicle in its lane and also tracking traffic in tailbacks. For the first time, there are also systems that can help to prevent accidents involving crossing traffic or pedestrians. What is more, with its new engines the E-Class achieves optimum values in terms of efficiency, offers an internet-enabled infotainment system, and boosts safety when driving at night thanks to advanced LED headlamps and permanent high-beam with no dazzling. The E-Class is absolutely packed with high-tech features and altogether makes a very attractive package.”
Powerful drive system delivering exemplary efficiency
There is a wide choice of powerful petrol and diesel engines for the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet. All are highly efficient and equipped with the ECO start/stop system. At launch, there will be two petrol engines available; E 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250 BlueEFFICIENCY, and there are also three diesel engines; E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY, E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 350 BlueTEC.
A new element is the BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engine with spray-guided direct injection, based on the same trend-setting technology used in the latest generation of six and eight-cylinder engines from Mercedes-Benz. Its technology package includes fast-acting piezo injectors for multiple injection, quick multi-spark ignition, turbocharging, fully variable camshaft adjustment on the inlet and exhaust side, as well as a controlled oil pump.
The BlueDIRECT four-cylinder engine also sees the world’s first use of the stratified lean burn process in combination with exhaust-gas turbocharging and external high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. As a result the Coupé and Cabriolet achieve outstanding emission and consumption figures. In addition, the new BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines already meet the EU6 standard which will apply from 2015.
The six-cylinder diesel engine for the Coupé and Cabriolet is available as BlueTEC models fitted with the established SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology and as such meets the EU6 emissions standard.
Mercedes-Benz will also offer two transmissions for the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet in the future: a six-speed manual transmission with high ease of shifting and short shift travel, and the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever and DIRECT SELECT shift paddles. This latest stage of evolution of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS provides significant advantages in terms of efficiency and ease of maintenance.
A new feature is the short-term M mode. The benefit of this: if the driver has shifted up or down manually, after a set period of time the transmission independently switches back to the fuel-efficient automatic shift mode.
The suspension – the basis for superior handling
As standard, the Coupé and Cabriolet are fitted with the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping system. The shock absorbers adapt to road surface conditions, thereby ensuring a high level of ride comfort. Sporty handling is enabled while still delivering the comfort on long journeys that is typical of the brand.
An AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension with selective damping system and firmer damping characteristics is available as an alternative along with the Dynamic Handling package. The latter offers a choice of driving mode settings for sportier accelerator pedal characteristics and gear shift points, as well as electronic damping control. This allows the driver to adjust the damping to their requirements at the touch of a button, depending on whether they want a comfortable or sporty ride.
Like the Saloon and Estate models, in future the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet will be equipped with the electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard. This combines speed dependent power assistance from speed-sensitive steering systems with a steering ratio that varies with the steering angle. The electromechanical Direct-Steer system ensures a more direct response, comfortable handling and high levels of steering comfort across all speed ranges. It also offers the potential to make considerable savings by only calling up energy for the steering action and making innovative assistance systems, such as Active Parking Assist systems, possible for the first time.
