Mercedes-Benz wants me in the new E-Class Coupé, but am I buying it?

By Chad Lückhoff

It seems that Mercedes-Benz is trying to lure in a younger buyer with the release of the new E-Class Coupé. But has it worked?

Say the words E-Class and one immediately associates it with age. It's certainly a models series that has always appealed more to the older gentleman than the younger bull. But now it seems that Mercedes-Benz is trying to lure in a younger buyer with the release of the new E-Class Coupé. But has it worked?

The E-Class Coupé could be considered the replacement for the CLK line of Mercedes-Benz products but with the newest generation, the underpinnings are based on the E-Class sedan. The styling is a little more subdued that one would expect from the coupé-variant of their full-size sedan, opting for muted swage lines and smaller details, rather than over-inflated arches and aggressively styled overhangs. It certainly appears more mature than the C-Class Coupé offerings and in E400 guise, there's very little that alludes to the performance of the stately coupé.

Classy coupé lighting

Where Mercedes-Benz have splashed out is in the lighting department, including blue fibre-optic detailing in the headlights that form part of the Welcome feature that is debuted on this model. Unlock the E400 and the blue optics illuminate first, before the multi-beam LED headlights default to their DRL status to announce your arrival.

There's similar fanfare at the rear where the flat LED taillights illuminate in succession, starting at the inside and working their way outwards, dimly at first and then warming up before settling into the standard lighting arrangement. The reflectors for these lights, which Mercedes-Benz dubs “crystal optics”, seem a little garish at first, appearing somewhat ostentatious with its glitter infused reflector. However, you soon realise the effect that it has, diffusing and refracting the light in a stylish, but functional way.

Our test model was fitted with the optional 20-inch wheels, but aside from that, the E400 Coupé is more smoking jacket than race overall. The 20-inch wheels, while attractive, would be the one thing that I would change about the E400 we drove. It's here where I start showing my years. The 20-inch wheels only served to hinder the comfort levels, detracting from the comfort and supple ride that the rest of the chassis was offering up. The boy-racer in me has no problem with this, but it just seemed so out of character for the package that is the E400 Coupé. It presents itself as a practical GT car, rather than a performance coupé, so the firm uptake from the low-profile tyres feels a little out of place.

Much of this is forgotten, though, when you engross yourself in the interior. Once again, the E400 Coupé forgoes the performance orientation in favour of a sophisticated, high-tech interior.

A new generation of tech

The E400 can be specified with the Dual Digital widescreen cockpit as found on the S-Class, but our variant had the analogue gauges in conjunction with the widescreen-style infotainment screen. The area between the analogue gauges still shows a host of information and when combined with the Drive Pilot system, provides vital information with regards to lane departure, active steering and adaptive cruise control. It's here that the S-Class DNA is felt, with driver assistance systems that provide a semi-autonomous drive. In all honesty, it was a pleasure to use in heavy traffic situations with the speed and steering regulated by the Drive Pilot system.

Park pilot is another feature that further bolsters the reality that autonomous driving is a fast approaching reality. Not only will the E400 Coupé scan and select a suitable parking bay and navigate its way into the said bay, it will automatically change gear if need be, to pull the vehicle forward and back.

It’s the interior style that piqued my interest, though. The newly designed air-vents are the first cues that attack the senses. Styled to look like turbine engines, they are beautifully designed with bars that appear to fade into nothingness and a knurled bezel that stands proud. It's a theme that is carried over to the gauge surrounds and when embedded in the aluminium-look dashboard, exudes an air of classic sophistication.

The contrasting stitching on the leather, the piano black and aluminium bound transmission tunnel, soft touch surfaces and even the analogue clock in the center fascia are all aimed at a lightly older clientele. And it's here where the Mercedes-Benz marketing department is losing me.

The go powering the show

The motor and drivetrain is perfectly suitable, the 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine is certainly strong enough for the daily commute, producing 245kW and 480Nm and sprinting to 100km/h from a standstill in a claimed 5.3-seconds. It's a sound powerplant, and driven in Eco mode, can return perfectly acceptable figures – we had it down to the low 9l/100km on the open road.

Much of this economy can be attributed to the 9-speed 9G-Tronic gearbox that keeps the revs nice and low on the open stretches. Its a smooth and easy-to-use unit and went about doing its thing without me noticing, and in my books, that makes it pretty darn good. It feeds the power to all four wheels because the E400 Coupé is equipped with the Mercedes-Benz 4Matic AWD system, improving cornering capabilities should you wish to throw this tanker around a corner.

All of this should get the blood flowing and the heart racing, but it's all wrapped up in a polarizing package that wants to be demure, eloquent and classy. So no, I'm not buying it. It's still geared toward the successful business individual without children, or one with an SUV as a second car.

Pricing for the Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupé 4Matic starts at R1 029 366, and with the options tested comes to approximately R1 206 000 inclusive. The Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupé 4Matic is sold with a 2-year / unlimited km warranty and 6-year / 100 000km service plan.