After seemingly countless spy photos showcasing the model nearly undisguised, today Mercedes has finally taken the wraps off their new E-Class Coupe, and it looks pretty much exactly as we expected it to. From a design standpoint, if you’re a fan of the new E-Class saloon, chances are you’re going to be a fan of the coupe range as well. Featuring similar styling traits to that of the sedan, the two are clearly members of the same family, although the Coupe offers customers a more contemporary take on the same elements. In the front, for example, the twin-headlamp face with rhomboid headlamps is still present, but with a sharper, somewhat sportier look. Also present is a twin-louvre grille with a larger center Mercedes star. In the back, the contour of the rear wing reminiscent of the Ponton Mercedes of yesteryear is still a prominent feature, while the elongated taillights again bear a similar appearance to the taillights found on the sedan.
Under the hood, initially there will be five variants of the Mercedes E-Class Coupe:
the E250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (150 kW/204 hp)
the E350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (170 kW/231 hp)
the E250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (150 kW/204 hp)
the E350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY (215 kW/292 hp)
the E500 (285 kW/388 hp)
In addition to consuming up to 17 percent less fuel than prior comparable variants thanks to the use of new engine technology, the BlueEFFICIENCY models also boast a number of further practical fuel saving measures, including on-demand steering and fuel pumps; tires with low rolling resistance; an alternator control system that varies vehicle power based on demand; and last but not least, improved aerodynamics.
And finally, what new Mercedes would be complete without a raft of new safety features and driver assistance systems, and the E-Class Coupe is no exception to the rule. Selective damper control, ATTENTION ASSIST, PRE-SAFE, Adaptive Main Beam Assist, Brake Assist Plus and PRE-SAFE Brake can all be had on the Coupe, easily placing it atop its segment in the safety category.
As for when you can get your hands on one, the Mercedes E-Class Coupe will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, and can be ordered from February 19th onward. Deliveries in Europe will commence in May 2009, with pricing in Germany (including 19% VAT) ranging from EUR 44,684.50 for the E250 CDI and E250 CGI models up to EUR 66,045.00 for the E500.
To learn more about the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and see it from a number of different angles, keep scrolling for photos (click to enlarge) and the official press release.
