E-class Coupé, Cabriolet updated
LAST month Mercedes-Benz pulled the wraps off its heavily facelifted EClass sedan and estate and if you were wondering what happened to the two-door models, Merc has just ended your suspense by unveiling reworked Coupé and Cabriolet models.
These sportier family members have been dealt a similar upgrade from the exterior styling to the engine and safety technology.
The dual headlights have been replaced by single units, which have anti-dazzle LED lights as standard. The front bumper, complete with its large air intakes, has also been redesigned along with the single-slat grille, tail-lights and rear bumper.
A few items in the cabin, including the instrument cluster, air outlets and centre console, have also fallen under the designer’s scalpel and when it comes to colour selection, clients are promised a “virtually unlimited” scope for individualisation.
Advanced technology abounds with new features such as the stereo multi-purpose camera near the rearview mirror, which uses a stereo camera and radars to provide a 3D view of up to 50 metres ahead – basi- cally to detect vehicles that are driving in front, oncoming or crossing.
This is just one of many newly available or improved features that can be ordered, such as collision prevention assist, distronic plus, presafe plus, active lane keeping assist, adaptive highbeam assist plus and active parking assist.
Mercedes SA says the new variants are expected locally around midyear but cannot yet confirm engine ranges for our market.
The European market gets to choose between five derivatives, namely 133kW E200 and 155kW E250 four-cylinder turbopetrol models as well as 100kW E200, 150kW E250 and 185kW E350 CDI diesels.
The turbopetrol engines gain a new spray-guided direction injection system, complete with piezo injectors and multi-spark ignition.
Your transmission choice boils down to a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic, which has a manual function linked to shift paddles.
While Merc’s agility control adaptive damping system is already standard, buyers can also opt for a sportier suspension system with firmer settings as well as a dynamic handling package, which offers numerous driving mode settings.
– motoring.co.za