Mercedes E-class Coupé
Classy two-door four-seater driven on UK roads for first time
THE Mercedes E-class is one of our favourite large saloon cars, blending a classy interior with a composed driving experience and a strong range of engines. That doesn’t automatically mean we’ll love this new Coupé model, but with such a good base, what could go wrong?
We first drove the car in Spain last month, and came away impressed with the Coupé’s refined, calm and cosseting character. Happily, that holds true back in the UK, even on our notoriously rutted roads. Our test car was fitted with standard springs rather than the pricey adaptive air-suspension (a £1,495 option), but even on bumpy tarmac, we found the big E-class to be extremely comfortable indeed.
The ride is a little firm at low speed, but push on and it irons out everything well – even larger potholes. It feels very big here in Britain, though, as our smaller, tighter roads start to make the Mercedes’ sheer size a bit of an issue. Despite its strikingly similar looks, its not as svelte as the smaller C-class Coupé.
That makes driving quickly in the E 220 d a bit tougher, and the heavy 1,735kg
kerbweight means it isn’t particularly agile. The body rolls as you dip into a corner, and while the steering feels nicely weighted, it isn’t as sharp as you might want from a car that looks as sporty as this. In AMG Line trim (the only spec available in the UK), some might expect it to drive like a V8 super-coupé, but the entry-level diesel is far less exciting than its flashy add-ons suggest.
Still, the Mercedes is composed, grippy and planted when you’re driving faster, and also manages to convey a greater sense of speed than either the E-class saloon or Estate. The E 220 d is torquey low in the rev range, which means a squeeze of the throttle is all that’s needed for a quick motorway overtake. It has just about enough grunt – 191bhp and 400Nm of torque – to enjoy on a twisty road, but those after a bit more performance might want to take a look at the E 300 or E 400 petrol models. There’s no full-fat AMG version yet.
Still, this diesel is incredibly refined on the motorway. The nine-speed automatic gearbox, found in the rest of the Mercedes range, is designed to maximise efficiency, and seems to short-shift where appropriate to keep the revs as low as possible.
It swaps cogs smoothly and quickly, and is just as good here as it is in other models. The true benefit, however, is the strong 61.4mpg fuel economy and low 111g/km CO2 emissions. That means infrequent trips to the pumps and decent Benefit-inKind company car tax ratings.
The sleek looks and high-quality interior carry over from the saloon. Up front, the cabin is nearly identical to the four-door, featuring the same wide dashboard design and leather-lined dash. Our car was fitted with the superb dual-screen infotainment system and instrument display, too, which gives the E-class a real hi-tech feel. However, at £1,900, it’s not a cheap upgrade.
There’s only one spec, so standard kit is generous. All cars come with LED lights, 19-inch wheels, cruise control and a Garmin sat-nav system. Top-spec E 400 petrol models include our car’s excellent dual-screen display and air-suspension.
Passengers in the rear seats will be fine for legroom, but that sloping roofline means that headroom is a bit too tight for longer trips. Climbing into the back is a bit of a pain as well, because of the slowmoving electric seats. If it’s raining, you’ll get wet waiting for them to move. But when it’s sunnier, the ability to lower all the windows for a pillarless driving experience is a luxury touch that gives a uniquely airy and light ambience.
The 425-litre load bay is actually smaller than the Audi A5’s 465-litre space, even though that car is technically in the class below, but it’s a still a decent size and a usable shape. An Audi A7 is arguably more comparable in terms of its outright footprint, although the hatchback body is arguably less desirable. Still, if you regularly carry luggage, it’s an undoubtedly more practical car.
“Passengers in the rear seats get lots of legroom, but the sloping roofline means headroom is tight”