The Merc way of style

SWAGGALICIOUS: NEW E-CLASS COUPE TICKS ALL THE RIGHT BOXES

You want all the luxury, technology and status offered by the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, but you want something a little more special in the styling department, well now you can start looking at the E-Class Coupe that will be in SA in May.

Okay before you say it, let’s get the subject of the C-Class looking like the E-Class, looking like the S-Class out the way. Because let’s face it, the major difference between the Coupe and the Sedan is what you see. Mirroring models on each other to a large degree is exactly the same thing BMW and Audi are doing.

This topic was much debated at the official launch dinner of the E-Class Coupe in Barcelona, Spain. And the people who live in the world of Mercedes-Benz design were quick to point out the company had done extensive market research.

Their findings are this, a C-Class customer who has not yet broken into the E-Class and S-Class bracket, is very proud to have their car look like its larger prestigious siblings. And the customer who can afford an E-Class or S-Class does not look down the food chain for recognition, the fact that they are driving the prestigious offering says it all.

So, while in pictures you can argue the E-Class Coupe looks a whole lot like the C-Class Coupe, in the metal so to speak, the subtle differences are slightly more apparent.

For the record, the car is 123mm longer, 74mm wider, 33mm higher, along with a front track that is 67mm wider and a rear that comes in 68mm wider than its predecessor. I liked it a lot.

You know a vehicle launch has a lot to do with styling when one of the highlights mentioned about the new car is the world premiere of welcoming rear LED tail lights.

When you open the E-Class, the tail light LEDs illuminate successively from the centre of the vehicle outwards. On locking the car, the light sequence runs in the opposite direction. Both are additionally combined with an up and down dimming feature. So, basically, this tail light show welcomes and says goodbye to you.

But wait, there is more, thanks to innovative crystal optics, the tail lamps also have a brilliant appearance reminiscent of the glow of a jet engine. Not sure the average owner is ever going to notice this, or why, but it sure allows one to have a little piece of trivia up their sleeve in the case of conversation emergencies.