Pleasure to the senses
THE latest Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe provides long-distance comfort for four people, and offers full smartphone integration, a Widescreen Cockpit and the latest assistance systems.
Combining the beauty and classic virtues of a grand tourer with state-of-the-art technology, the new E-Class Coupe is considerably longer, wider and higher than its predecessor, which improves spaciousness and comfort in the rear.
With its expressive coupe-esque proportions, clear and sensual design, the sportily exclusive Coupe represents beauty and elegance.
The design is characterised by a distinctive front end with low-positioned sports grille and central star, a long bonnet with powerdomes, a rearward-shifted, squat greenhouse and a muscular rear end.
The dynamic looks are underlined by four frameless, fully retractable side windows and the absence of a visible B-pillar.
Meanwhile, the two-part, extremely flat LED tail lamps, which in combination with Multibeam LED headlamps celebrate the world premiere of a welcoming function.
When the vehicle is opened, the tail light LEDs illuminate successively from the centre of the vehicle outwards.
On locking the vehicle, the light sequence runs in the opposite direction.
Thanks to innovative crystal optics, the tail lamps also have a brilliant appearance reminiscent of the glow of a jet engine.
The cabin uses high-grade materials and contemporary colour landscapes, and the avant-garde yet highly luxurious seats in the Coupe take their cue from the E-Class Saloon.
Highlights here are the two brilliant, 12.3-inch displays with a high resolution of 1920 x 720 pixels – unique in this segment - which are merged under a single lens to produce a Widescreen Cockpit that appears to float in space.
More design brilliance comes from the air vents, where the design in silver shadow is inspired by turbine blades.
For more convenience, the 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 a hand off the steering wheel.
Additional controls come in the form of a touchpad with controller in the centre console, which can also recognise handwriting, plus the Linguatronic voice control system.
As for connectivity and digitalisation, the infotainment system in the E-Class Coupe provides wireless charging of compatible mobile phones, which can also be connected to the vehicle’s exterior aerial.
This dispenses with the need to find a plug and connect a cable.
There is an added advantage: using Near Field Communication, the smartphone becomes the digital vehicle key with which the car can be locked and unlocked as well as started.
If the car has COMAND Online, it can use Apple’s smartphone-based infotainment system CarPlay as well as Google’s Android Auto.
As is par for the course for an E-Class Coupe, it gets powerful engines equipped with the ECO start/stop function and the 9GTRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, which allows fast gearshifts along with lower engine speeds.
This makes for lively performance and driving enjoyment.
Included in the comprehensive range of standard safety features is Active Brake Assist, which is able to warn the driver of an imminent collision, provide optimum support with emergency braking and, if necessary, also autonomously apply the brakes.
In addition to slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it can also detect pedestrians crossing in the danger zone ahead of the vehicle.