What's the news?

Mercedes-Benz has announced prices and specifications for the updated E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet. The modes get a new look and improved efficiency. Prices start at £35,095 for the fixed-head version with the convertible available from £38,465.

Exterior

New front-end styling includes bi-Xenon headlamps, a revised grille, larger air intakes and a more 'V'-shaped front bumper. The tail lamp clusters have been redesigned and there is a wide-effect rear bumper with 'wing design'.

Two versions of the Coupé and Cabriolet are available, SE and AMG Sport. The former comes with 17-inch alloy wheels in a five twin-spoke design. AMG Sport models get 18-inch alloys through which perforated front disks and branded callipers can be seen. There is also AMG body styling and a new exhaust system with visible twin tail pipes.

Cabriolet models come with a sound-insulating hood that takes 20 seconds to open or close at speeds of up to 25mph. The Aircap wind deflector automatically engages at speeds above 25mph and closes below 10mph.

Interior

Standard equipment includes leather upholstery with heated front seats and dark aluminium trim. For the AMG models the driver and passenger get 'multi-contour' heated seats, a Nappa leather sports steering wheel and AMG floor mats. Other features available across the range include COMAND Online with Media interface, DAB radio and the introduction of Mercedes' 'Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera', which features two electronic 'eyes' that create a 3D image of the world for the various safety systems.

Mechanicals

A choice of three diesel engines is available: a 2.1-litre diesel comes in 170- and 204hp states of tune in the E 220 CDI and E 250 CDI respectively, and there is also a 3.0-litre diesel V6 with 252hp in the E 350 BlueTEC. The sole petrol unit is a 2.0-litre with 184hp in the E 200. Emissions figures range from 123g/km for the E 220 CDI manual Coupé to 156g/km for the automatic-only E 350 Cabriolet.

Anything else?

The SE trim level is available only as the E 220 CDI model, while the AMG Sport cars get the full range of engines.