The 2014 E-Class facelift has not been limited to the exterior of Mercedes’ second most popular model. The effects of the facelift can also be seen on the interior of the E-Class lineup, reinforcing the cabin’s sporty character on both the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet while at the same time blending it with a sense of luxury and class that only Mercedes-Benz can offer.
The insides of the coupé and cabriolet are dominated by stylish materials alongside clean-cut surfaces and the two-part trim element that stretches across the entire dashboard. This has the effect of enhancing the interior’s feeling of spaciousness and classiness. The trim element is bordered by a silver chrome frame, which goes perfectly with all of the various materials available. These include three fine wood and two aluminium variants, together with black piano lacquer.
Also new are the instrument cluster with dials backed in white, which are designed to emphasise the sporty concept, and the head unit’s trapezoid-shaped colour TFT display with its high-gloss frame. The affinity to the new E‑Class family and the classy, luxurious character are further demonstrated by the analogue clock between the redesigned air outlets, as well as by the controls in matt silver chrome.
Center console without automatic selector lever
Contributing to the sporty, functional appeal of the interior is the redesigned center console. In conjunction with the automatic transmission, there is no selector lever positioned here alongside the Controller with its new four-button control panel for the infotainment system. Instead, the automatic transmission is operated via the DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles on the multifunction steering wheel. This frees up space for stowage facilities in the horizontal part of the centre console. The controls are clearly arranged and designed in silver chrome.
Also to be found in the centre console are the controls for operating the optional Dynamic Handling package, extending and retracting the adjustable rear head restraints and the sunblind for the rear window on the Coupé, and for selecting the transmission mode. Under the centre armrest on the Cabriolet there is a special control console, housing the lever for operating the soft top and the control buttons for simultaneous opening and closing of the windows as well as for the optional AIRCAP system.
Sporty steering wheel
Available in a heated version as an option, the distinctly sporty three-spoke multifunction steering wheel trimmed in nappa leather with perforated panels, thumbrests and two silver chrome inserts offers supreme ease of operation with its twelve trapezoid-shaped buttons. In conjunction with the AMG Sports package, the three-spoke AMG sports steering wheel with a flattened lower section is fitted. Contrasting red stitching is added on the variant for the AMG Plus Sports package.
The steering column benefits from an extended adjustment range. It can be individually positioned by plus/minus 25 mm for height, as well as 15 mm forwards and 35 mm backwards for reach.
High quality and color highlights
The new surface materials in the interior convey a high perceived quality. They feature a fine grain with a high-class look and feel, which not only adds to the elegant air but is easy to clean, too. As an option, the dashboard can also be finished in a particularly attractive nappa leather trim for a distinctly sporty and luxurious ambience in the cockpit.
In order to maximise the scope for customisation, the AVANTGARDE and ELEGANCE interior concepts have been done away with and a wide choice of new interior and contrasting colours introduced in their place. New colours for the interior include silk beige, espresso brown, Bengal red and deep-sea blue. The newly available colour combination black/espresso brown symbolises “a new type of sportiness”, while the new contrasting colour deep-sea blue combines with the silk beige interior to bring a breath of fresh air into the design. New colour schemes can also be created with the roof liner in a choice of silk beige, alpaca grey and black.
The door linings with their contrasting topstitching are colour-coordinated with the rest of the interior, and are offered in two different materials:
- ARTICO man-made leather is used in the case of the appointments variants fabric, fabric in combination with ARTICO man-made leather, ARTICO man-made leather and also in conjunction with leather appointments.
- Nappa leather with vertical quilting is combined with appointments in nappa leather.
Additional design features on the insides of the doors include:
- generously sized trim element beneath the beltline, which is finished at the top with trim in silver chrome
- door opener in silver chrome, as well as silver-chrome surround for the electric seat adjustment controls in conjunction with the Memory package
- armrest with silver-chrome trim, the shape of which underscores the sweeping lines of the armrest
- door pocket for extra stowage space
Attractive, ergonomic sports seats
The E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet are both fitted with seats that satisfy the most discerning and wide-ranging requirements in terms of seating comfort, ergonomic design, safety and sportiness. This is thanks to features such as the height-adjustable, crash-responsive NECK-PRO head restraints, standard electric adjustment of seat cushion height and backrest angle, as well as the seats’ steel structure and integral springing.
The proven EASY-ENTRY system for the front seats facilitates easy access to the rear. After entering the vehicle, an active belt feeder with additional control button on the dashboard console automatically moves the front seat belts into a position where the driver and front passenger can easily reach them, further helping to make the driving experience as ergonomic and comfortable as possible.
Depending on the selected material, the seats in the new E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet have a varying appearance with contrasting topstitching that is matched to the upholstery colour and material. The seats are upholstered as standard in a fabric/ARTICO man-made leather combination. The nappa leather upholstery includes new, continuous piping in a contrasting colour, while the seat cushion and backrest side bolsters on the leather upholstered seats feature a new, distinctive perforated pattern that brings out their sporting qualities.
Alternatively, there is also the option of the Multicontour Seat package for driver and front passenger. This allows smooth, pneumatic adjustment of seat cushion length, as well as the backrest lumbar support and side bolsters. As a result, the seat can be adjusted to the ideal position for both a sporty and a comfortable ride.
Further comfort-enhancing functions are available with the Memory package for driver and front passenger, which memorises the settings of the fully power-adjustable front seats, front head restraints, steering column and exterior mirrors for each user individually and automatically restores them again. Seat heating is also available, as are climatised front seats with active seat ventilation. There is a choice of three settings for adjusting the intensity of both the seat heating and ventilation.
By no means do passengers in the rear of the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet have to compromise on comfort. The two full-size individual seats in the rear are very comfortable to sit in and include integral head restraints – which extend and retract electrically on the Cabriolet and act as a fully functional rollover protection system. When the seats are occupied, the head restraints extend automatically. The individual rear seats in the Coupé have a 1/3 : 2/3 split-folding design. The fold-out centre armrest on the Cabriolet can be specified with an optional through-loading feature.
Unrivalled cabriolet comfort
The speed-dependent AIRCAP system is available as an option for exceptional comfort when driving with the top down. This reduces wind turbulence within the vehicle interior and therefore wind noise, too. New: AIRCAP deploys automatically at speeds above 40 km/h, and the wind deflector in the windscreen frame automatically retracts again below 15 km/h. This ensures that the E-Class Cabriolet appears in its purest form when driving slowly and when stationary. The two rear head restraints together with the draught-stop between them respond to the number of vehicle occupants by extending automatically if the rear seat belts are in use.
Also optionally available: AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This addition extends the cabriolet season by ensuring it is comfortable to drive with the top down even when it is cold outside. To this end, a heating element inside the head restraint warms up the air before a ventilator blows it through apertures in the head restraint, so that the heated air envelops the neck like a warm scarf. The driver and front passenger are able to individually adjust the height the air flows out at, and there is also a choice of three intensity settings.
