2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe

Size matters in today’s automotive world and bigger is almost always better, even in the luxury coupe market. Mercedes-Benz has proved that with its latest E-Class offering.

Redesigned for the 2018 model year, the new E-Class coupe is about five inches longer, three inches wider and an inch-anda-half taller than the outgoing model, making for a more dominant presence and, according to Mercedes, a roomier cabin.

Stylistically, the new E-Class sedan looks a lot like the current C-Class and S-Class coupes as well as the E-Class sedan, as Mercedes continues to homogenize its lineup. That’s not to say the new coupe isn’t a handsome car, with its low, diamond-patterned grille and sloping roofline accentuated by the absence of a B-pillar.

Mercedes also expanded the wheelbase of E-Class coupe from 108.7 inches to 113.1 inches, bringing it within about 2.5 inches of the E-Class sedan, which was redesigned for the current 2017 model year.

With some extra internal real estate to work with, Mercedes has crafted a stylish, high-tech cockpit that includes a standard 12.3-inch high-resolution infotainment display equipped with its signature Comand system. A second 12.3-inch widescreen display is available for the instrument cluster. The multimedia system can be controlled by buttons on the steering wheel or the Mercedes trackpad-dial control system located at the bottom of the center stack. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also available. Wood trim, either as natural grain or in a high-gloss finish, wraps around the front cabin, adding to the coupe’s regal aesthetic. Available in a rear-wheel or Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive formats, both of which come with a nine-speed automatic transmission, the E-Class coupe has a V-6 engine that cranks out 329 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque. The rear-wheel version can hit 60 mph in 5.2 seconds while the 4Matic takes about five-and-ahalf; both have a governed top speed of 130 mph.

A lowered suspension with selective damping is the standard, but owners can also opt for a multi-chamber air suspension, which is controlled by a continuously adaptive, electric damping system that automatically acclimates to driving conditions. A dynamic select system allows the driver to adjust suspension, throttle and transmission settings through five distinct driving modes: comfort, eco, sport, sport+ and individual, which can be tuned to the operator’s exact transmission preference.

Look for the all-new 2018 EClass coupe in U.S. dealerships this summer.