The New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe
Mercedes-Benz is hosting the U.S. premiere of the new E-Class Coupe at the New York International Auto Show. Just a few months after the world debut of the sedan version at the NAIAS in Detroit, the brand is unveiling one of the highlights of the new model range and carrying forward a tradition that has repeatedly inspired enormous passion throughout the history of the E-Class.
The new E-Class Coupe is a very special combination of emotion and performance. With the classic coupe profile, without B-pillars and featuring fully retractable side windows, the new two-door provides a particularly sporty interpretation of the dynamic design of the new E-Class. The E-Class Coupe comes to the U.S. as two variants – the E350 Coupe powered by the 3.5 liter V6 with 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, and the E550 Coupe, which has a 5.5 liter V8 generating 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The AGILITY CONTROL suspension comes as standard on the E350 Coupe and is equipped with a shock absorber system that adjusts automatically to suit the prevailing driving conditions. It combines driving pleasure and agile handling with the best in body roll comfort. The new E-Class Coupe will arrive at U.S. dealerships in late June 2009.
The new coupe offers a full spectrum of technical innovations typical of a luxury sport coupe. These include adaptive shock absorbers, ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness monitor and PRE-SAFE® preventative occupant protection. Optional Adaptive High Beam Assist and an automatic emergency braking system are other examples of how the new model range is setting benchmarks in this vehicle segment. Efficiency measures include the on-demand control of the steering and fuel pumps and the control of the alternator in accordance with driving conditions and on-board electrical power requirements; as well as, the significant role played by outstanding aerodynamics.
Design – expression of a refined, passionate character
The distinctive line of the new coupe emphasizes the styling characteristics that make Mercedes-Benz coupes unmistakable – such as the visual of the side window uninterrupted by a B-pillar, with fully retractable glass, automatic seatbelt presenters and the hallmark grille featuring the large three-pointed star at its center.
At the same time, the coupe displays its close relationship to the new E-Class sedan. This can be seen in the twin-headlamp look, with its lights also adopting a rhomboid form, albeit with more sporty, sharper styling to give it an even more dynamic and aggressive presence. The coupe also shares its powerful rear fender design with the sedan – a styling feature that gave the S 220 “Ponton” Coupe such an athletic stance back in 1955.
Despite the family resemblance to the sedan, the new coupe displays its own independent, refined yet more passionate character. With the sweeping arrowhead line flowing through the entire front end, from the front bumper over the radiator grille to the hood, the more extreme interpretation of the twin-headlamp look conveys a sinewy, intense impression.
All-new seats with a sporty design
The seats of the E-Class Coupe are all-new, and reflect the sporty character of the two-door in both their design and technology, including 10-way electric adjustment and leather upholstery as standard. The high backrests typical of sports cars are equipped with a practical Easy Entry Function to facilitate entry and exit to and from the rear seats. The front seats are also equipped with NECK-PRO® Active Head Restraints for both driver and passenger, a 3-stage memory function and electro-pneumatically adjustable 4-way lumbar support, which enables ergonomic support at the base of the spine and thus further improves seating comfort.
An upgrade to premium leather is available as an option. Available options also include Active Ventilated Front Seats and Multi-Contour Seats with inflatable chambers at the front of the seat cushions and in the center and side panels of the backrests. Rear seat passengers are provided with two comfortable individual seats, while a luggage pass-though and backrests that fold forward either individually or together (1-third / 2-third split) increase the load space available in the trunk.
Two powerful engine options
The E-Class Coupe comes to the U.S. with a choice of two popular and sporty powerplants. The 2010 E350 Coupe is powered by the well-proven Mercedes-Benz 3.5 liter V6 gasoline engine with 268 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Drive is transferred to the rear wheels via a 7-speed Driver Adaptive Automatic Transmission with Touch Shift.
At the top of the range, the E550 Coupe comes with the powerful V8 engine with 382 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque, deliver ing classic sports car performance. The eight-cylinder has been further developed by Mercedes engineers to improve fuel mileage over its predecessor.
An intelligent partner – sensors, radar and cameras for safe driving
The all-new safety systems developed for the E-Class are based on knowledge gathered over many years of accident research; they make an important contribution to safe, accident-free motoring, improve occupant protection and also help to increase general road safety for all. These innovative systems operate on the basis of highly sensitive sensors, cameras and radar systems, and turn the two-door into an “intelligent” partner that can see, feel, react reflexively to danger and function independently when faced with the immediate threat of an accident.
Drowsiness is one of the most frequent causes of freeway accidents, which is why Mercedes experts have developed the ATTENTION ASSIST system that comes as standard on the new E-Class Coupe. When driving, it continually monitors and evaluates more than 70 different parameters in order to recognize driver drowsiness and to provide warning in advance of critical moments of micro-sleep. Steering behavior has proven to be one especially good indicator. Several years of practical research carried out by Mercedes-Benz show that drowsy drivers make tiny steering errors that they frequently correct very quickly and in a characteristic manner. This steering behavior is recognized by a special steering wheel angle sensor.
Another standard feature is the PRE-SAFE® preventative occupant protection system – a highly acclaimed Mercedes development offered by no other vehicle maker worldwide. In advance of an imminent accident, the system activates pre-emptive protection measures for the driver and front seat passenger in order to maximize the protective effect of the seatbelts and airbags. PRE-SAFE® is able to recognize an impending accident through the sensors used for the brake assistant and the ESPÒ Electronic Stability Control, which can identify potential critical dynamic conditions.
Intelligent lighting technology
Like the sedan version, the E-Class Coupe can also be equipped with the world’s most state-of-the-art intelligent lighting technology. Through the optional Adaptive High Beam Assist, headlamps adjust continuously to suit the prevailing traffic conditions and react automatically in order to provide the driver with the best possible illumination of the road. Using a camera mounted on the inside of the windshield, the system recognizes oncoming and leading traffic and adjusts the headlamps to avoid blinding other drivers. The range of the low beams can thus be extended from 213 to 984 feet. If the road ahead is clear, the system performs a gentle transition to high beam.
Adaptive High Beam Assist is combined with variable bi-xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination and headlamp washing system that Mercedes-Benz offers together with LED daytime running lights in the Premium 2 package.
Automatic emergency braking under immediate threat of an accident
The assistance systems familiar from the S-Class and developed for the avoidance of rear end collisions are now also available for the E-Class Coupe. They use long and short-range radar sensors to monitor traffic ahead of the vehicle and to warn the driver in the event of an imminent accident. Mercedes-Benz has grouped these technologies into the optional DISTRONIC PLUS Package, incorporating adaptive cruise control that automatically maintains a pre-selected distance from the vehicle in front and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop, depending on traffic conditions. It also includes Brake Assist PLUS and the PRE-SAFE® Brake.
Brake Assist PLUS is activated when the distance to the vehicle front is reduced very rapidly. In this situation, the system warns the driver and calculates in fractions of a second the braking pressure necessary to avoid a collision. This braking power is applied as soon as the brake pedal is activated and, depending on speed and distance, enables targeted, controlled braking or – if required – an emergency stop.
The automatic emergency brake on the E-Class Coupe takes this principle one step further and applies the brakes automatically when an accident is imminent and the driver has not reacted to the warning signals. Through this function, the system can significantly reduce the severity of the collision.
The most comprehensive safety equipment in this vehicle class
With nine airbags fitted as standard, seatbelt tensioners and seatbelt force limiters on all seats, as well as NECK-PRO Active Front Head Restraints for driver and front seat passenger, the new E-Class Coupe offers the most comprehensive safety equipment in this vehicle class. The airbags, which deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front, side and pelvic airbags for driver and front seat passenger, a knee airbag for the driver and head protection curtains for all occupants.
The frontal crumple zone consists of four independent impact planes, so that the forces are spread across a large area and are deflected around the passenger cell. Furthermore, the increased use of high-strength steel alloys also contributes to the ability of the bodyshell to withstand high impact loads. Around two thirds of all panels constituting the body-in-white of the E-Class Coupe are made from such high-strength steels.
Comfort – the best technology for a new driving experience
Alongside its extensive safety equipment, comfort has always been one of the most outstanding features of the E-Class. In this respect, too, the coupe matches the high standards of the sedan and offers further notable developments, particularly with regards to body roll, seating and climate control. One contributory factor is the generous interior space that Mercedes engineers realized as a result of a bodyshell that is longer and wider by 1.8 inches. Greater freedom of movement for the occupants is provided courtesy of an increase in the critical distance between the hip reference points of the front and rear seats of 0.4 inches to 31 inches, while elbow room has improved by up to 1.9 inches compared with its predecessor.
Improved body roll comfort through adaptive control of the shock absorbers
The standard AGILITY CONTROL suspension on the new E350 Coupe offers a shock absorber system that automatically adjusts to the prevailing driving conditions. In order to achieve the best possible body roll comfort along with agile handling, the system reduces the damping force under normal driving conditions, but immediately applies the maximum damping force during dynamic driving through a curve or in the event of rapid evasive maneuvering, thus ensuring the best possible levels stability for the coupe. The standard AGILITY CONTROL on the E350 Coupe can be upgraded to the Sport suspension with the optional Sport Package.
The E550 Coupe is equipped with the Dynamic Handling suspension which includes electronically-adjustable shock absorbers as well as modified throttle response. In addition, standard 18-inch alloy wheels complete the sporty performance.
Individual climate control at the touch of a button
The redesigned automatic climate control that comes as standard in the E550 Coupe adjusts temperature, air volume and air distribution in three zones, taking into account the preferences of driver, front seat passenger and rear seat passengers. The dual-zone automatic climate control comes as standard on the E350 Coupe.
Infotainment system with color display in the instrument panel
The highly acclaimed operating system from the S-Class, with multifunction steering wheel, controller mounted on the center console, 7-inch color display in the instrument cluster and direct selection keys, also offers the very best in operating comfort to passengers in the new E-Class Coupe.
The driver and front seat passenger can manage all the functions of the modern infotainment system via the controller. These include the radio, CD/DVD changer, telephone and navigation system. Both models come with the COMAND system as standard. U.S.-wide hard-drive navigation with voice control is also standard equipment on the E550 Coupe and is available as an option on the E350 Coupe.
Model program – individuality through variety
With two engines, three suspension variants, a range of color choices, a selection of wheel-tire combinations and many optional extras, the new E-Class Coupe offers plenty of opportunity to create a personal dream car.
On the inside, genuine leather upholstery comes as standard, with an optional upgrade available to premium leather. Other options are a wood/leather steering wheel and shift knob and the TeleAid emergency assistance system. A panorama sunroof is standard on all E-Class Coupes.
The Premium 1 Package is optional equipment on the E550 Coupe and on the E350 Coupe. As well as the navigation system, it also includes a music register for around 1,000 song titles and voice control with whole word recognition. For even greater music pleasure, the Premium 1 Package comes with a 450 watt harman/kardon premium sound system with surround sound, media interface for connecting an external MP3 player, SIRIUS Satellite Radio / HD radio, rear sun shade and heated seats.
Over and above the Premium 1 Package, the Premium 2 Package offers Active Ventilated Front Seats, bi-xenon headlamps with Active Curve Illumination and washing system and LED daytime running lights, Adaptive High Beam Assist and KEYLESS GO.
The DISTRONIC PLUS Package features PARKTRONIC with Parking Guidance, as well as the DISTRONIC PLUS adaptive cruise control system with Brake Assist PLUS and the PRE-SAFE® Brake.
The Sport Package places the emphasis firmly on agility and performance. Highlights include 18-inch AMG alloys featuring a twin 6-spoke design and clad in wide 235/40 R 18 rubber at the front and 255/35 R 18 at the rear. On the E350 Coupe these are mounted over substantial perforated brake discs at the front gripped by painted calipers bearing the Mercedes-Benz name (standard equipment on E550 Coupe). For the E350 Coupe, the Sport Package incorporates the AGILITY CONTROL Sport suspension. Also included in the Sport Package for both models are rubber-studded foot pedals, Multi-Contour Seats and gearshift paddles and, on the E550 only, an AMG steering wheel.
