Car Enthusiast - click here to access the home page


 



First Drive: Mercedes-Benz E 400 Coupe 4Matic AMG Line. Image by Mercedes.

First Drive: Mercedes-Benz E 400 Coupe 4Matic AMG Line
Two-door E-Class adds allure to the saloon’s sophistication

   



<< earlier review     later review >>

Reviews homepage -> Mercedes-Benz reviews

Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe 4MATIC AMG Line

4 4 4 4 4

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe has all the comfort, class and fine driving credentials of its saloon relation, wrapped in a more svelte, appealing package.

Test Car Specifications

Model tested: Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic AMG Line Coupe
Price: £50,820
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged petrol
Transmission: nine-speed auto, four-wheel drive
Body style: four-seat, two-door coupe
CO2 emissions: 189g/km (road tax £800 first year, then £450 for five years, then £140)
Combined economy: 33.6mpg
Top speed: 155mph (electronically limited)
0-62mph: 5.3 seconds
Power: 333hp @ 5,250-6,000rpm
Torque: 480Nm @ 1,600-4,000rpm

What's this?

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe drops the rear doors of the saloon to create a rakish, more glamourous model. However, while it fills a gap in the Mercedes-Benz range between the smaller C-Class Coupe and the luxurious S-Class Coupe, it has no natural rivals. Instead it spans models such as the Audi A5, Lexus RC and BMW's 4 Series and 6 Series Coupes.

The model range isn't as expansive as the saloon's, with the E-Class Coupe line-up at launch limited to the E 220d diesel, E 300 petrol and range-topping, four-wheel drive E 400 4Matic tested here. All versions come in AMG Line specification only. The boss of Mercedes-Benz tuning division AMG presently says that an E63 Coupe is unlikely - it would be too close conceptually to the C63 Coupe - although there's every chance the range will get an E 43 AMG model in time.

On looks alone, the E-Class Coupe appeals. The exterior proportions are nicely balanced, it's head-turning without being overt or brash, and the two-door is a sophisticated looking car. There's a bit more flourish inside, with dashboard materials and a design that's beautifully finished, the air vents in particular standing out for their eye-catching shape and tactile finish. The instrumentation is familiar from the E-Class saloon, with the huge TFT screens housing all the info and entertainment functions, and offering a degree of personalisation, too.

It's a smart cabin that's also spacious. The E-Class is a strict four-seater, but the pair in the rear are roomy enough to actually accommodate adults, such is the amount of head and legroom. Add a deep, long boot, and the E-Class Coupe stacks up as more than a merely selfish proposition, as it's a genuinely useable, reasonably practical alternative to the saloon.

How does it drive?

AMG Line trim brings some promise with its sporty looks, but the E400 4MATIC isn't about outrageous performance. Instead, it mixes ease and grace with a good shot of pace. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 sees to that, its 333hp and 480Nm of torque giving the car a quick 5.3-second 0-62mph time and an electronically-limited 155mph top speed.

What's genuinely impressive is the duality of the E400 4Matic's character. It's an effortless grand tourer when you want it to be, yet it serves up a sizable portion of enjoyment, should you choose to switch off all the electronic assistance and ask a bit more of it on a more interesting route.

There's masses of grip, the balance is neutral and traction is high, thanks to that four-wheel-drive system. The E-Class Coupe is competent and capable, the engine's low-rev torque bringing plenty of easy urge, yet there's incentive to wring it out to the redline if you want that V6 to get a bit more vocal. The engine's range is enhanced by an automatic transmission that juggles its nine ratios with unerring speed and accuracy: it's so adept at picking the correct ratio that there's no real need to take over via the wheel-mounted paddles.

There's the usual range of driving modes that adjust everything from the suspension to the powertrain, with choices ranging from Eco to Sport+. However, we found that Comfort is the best all-round proposition, although the Individual setting allows you to cherry pick your favourite elements.

Given the brittleness that the more sporting choices bring to the air-suspension, that's useful if you want greater immediacy of response from the engine and gearbox, while retaining a ride that's still able to deliver comfort on UK roads. The steering is accurate, but the wheel's fine weighting isn't really backed with anything that can accurately be described as feel.

Being an E-Class means the Coupe is offered with all the convenient autonomous driving features of the saloon, and the E400 4MATIC offers as near autonomous driving as is currently, and legally, possible. The Driving Assistance Package adds safety aids such as Blind Spot and Lane Keeping Assist, Active Brake Assist and Drive Pilot adaptive cruise control. Like any premium car, there's plenty of scope for options, too, but these can add a sizeable amount to the list price if you're not careful.

Verdict

The E-Class Coupe is a fine looking, classy and capable car which doesn't throw out all of the saloon's practicality in the pursuit of style. Its breadth of ability is impressive, particularly in E400 4MATIC guise here, which mixes grand touring sophistication with driver appeal when the roads get more interesting. A spacious cabin offers genuine room for four adults, while the boot's a good size and shape, too. This really is a coupé that goes further than mere emotional appeal, which means you can live with it every day.

4 4 4 4 4 Exterior Design

4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 Interior Ambience

4 4 4 4 4 Passenger Space

4 4 4 4 4 Luggage Space

5 5 5 5 5 Safety

4 4 4 4 4 Comfort

4 4 4 4 4 Driving Dynamics

4 4 4 4 4 Powertrain


Kyle Fortune - 31 Aug 2017



  www.mercedes-benz.co.uk    - Mercedes-Benz road tests
- Mercedes-Benz news
- E-Class Coupe images

2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.

2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.2017 Mercedes E400 Coupe drive. Image by Mercedes.








 

Internal links:   | Home | Privacy | Contact us | Archives | Old motor show reports | Follow Car Enthusiast on Twitter | Copyright 1999-2024 ©