The Mercedes E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet have received a visual nip-and-tuck for 2021. The real changes appear under the skin where the Coupe benefits from new tech and more efficient engines. With extremely sleek looks, Coupe and Convertible versions of the E-Class are never short on desirability. This update turns up the character, aiming to offer a slightly larger, more sophisticated and arguably more prestigious approach to executive coupe motoring. It does so with a more efficient engine for the volume trims plus astonishing technology and comfort.
Special mention : Buttery smooth on the motorway. Moves swiftly with limited EQ boost. New twin spoke design steering wheel. Excellent HD reversing camera that stays clean. Bluetooth continues to play through the speakers when you un-hook it from the USB cable. Split folding rear seats help fit awkward big loads which is always helpful.
Needs work : As it’s a heavy coupe, there’s not a huge amount of top end poke out of the 1991 cc engine. Coupe doors are heavy.
Specs: As tested
| Max Power 197 HP | Petrol / Auto |
| 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds | Road Tax €600 |
Price: €68,245 As spec’d €72,768 | Boot 425 litres |
With this sixth generation E-Class Coupe, Mercedes has made greater efforts to differentiate the driving experience from that of the saloon. The track is wider at the front and the rear than it was in the previous generation and there’s a 15mm lower ride height.
These changes are intended to make this car feel more planted through the corners. Slightly stiffer damping along with the variable ratio steering creates sharper feedback in comparison to the setup used in the saloon. This is an attempt to make it feel more direct, it isn’t quite as responsive as pricier versions of smaller coupe’s like the BMW 4 Series or the Audi A5. The E-Class coupe is more comfortable and yet is still a rewarding drive and through fast flowing bends it has as fine a chassis balance as you could wish for. More so than its competitors, it is extremely well suited to high motorway miles.
The E-Class Coupe feels refined and relaxed, just as a Mercedes should. When you do need that extra little oomph, EQ Boost adds 20hp and 180Nm of torque, it’s a welcome addition. The only drive mode you really need in the current Mercedes lineup (omitting AMG versions) is Comfort, it’s the one that’s best suited to the engines. Using Sport modes ups the revs and with it, a strained sounding engine. Dynamic mode really is left in Comfort as it does the best all round job.
If you manage to clamber in the back there are certainly signs of improvement over what went before, the 113 mm increase in wheelbase does indeed translate into extra stretching space. There’s 74mm more knee room plus thanks to 74 mm of extra body width there’s 34 mm more space for your shoulders.
With new reshaped LED headlamps, a revised front bumper and Grille and new two-piece rear lights, new paint options include high-tech silver, Graphite gray, metallic Mojave silver and Patagonia red. Buyers can also choose from a new set of alloy wheels which Mercedes says are aerodynamically efficient. A range of trims are available including the obligatory spicy AMG versions.
Changes are equally evolutionary inside, the E-class has one of the best interiors around whether it be inside the Coupe, Cabriolet or Saloon. There are new trim options including trim inserts made from open pore wood or aluminum with light carbon-fiber grain dash inserts. There are clever new adaptive seats too which move automatically to the optimum position for the drivers height. Mercedes has also updated its energising monitoring system to link to the drivers SmartWatch and monitor their stress level, heart rate and quality of sleep, adjusting cabin temperature, lighting and music accordingly.
The main cabin talking point is the double screen instrument panel which is standard on some the models but optional enforcement of variants combines the 12.3” virtual instrument display with a second centre command in-line monitor of the same size. To manage those new screens, Mercedes swaps last year’s rotary dial with a new touchpad infotainment controller and adds a set of next-gen capacitive touch buttons on the steering wheel, as well the latest “Hey, Mercedes” voice command system. This setup also includes wireless charging and a much-lauded augmented reality navigation system.
In terms of safety, the new E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet get features like automatic emergency braking, active parking assist with a 360-degree camera, and blind-spot monitoring. As we’ve said before the Mercedes safety systems tend to be over cautious, a recent example leaving us scratching our heads to work out why the auto-parking brake wouldn’t disengage. Usually when there’s a heavy item on the passenger seat, there’s a warning to say the seat belt must be fastened. Now all you get is a locked parking brake and no clues as to why you’re unable to drive off. Removing said hefty bag did the trick and we were soon on our way but they could have made it a bit more obvious as to why.
As before the Cabriolet features the clever air scarf which keeps the occupants necks warm when the roof is down and air cap which helps to reduce your speed. The non-AMG versions are more of cruisers than bruisers but there are at least some tweaked engines mated to the standard fit 9 speed auto. The engine lineup consists of turbocharged four and six-cylinder Petrol and Diesel engines with 48 volt mild hybrid technology added to the four-cylinder diesel lineup and six-cylinder Petrols. The Diesel powered 191 bhp 220 D promises 60 odd mpg while the E 400 D packs an impressive 700 Nm punch for Petrol buyers. The E 200 is available with rear or four-wheel drive and uses the 194 bhp 2-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine to get from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds.
The rear drive only E 300 engine is tuned to 254 bhp and cuts the 0 to 100km/h time to 6.4 seconds, while the four-wheel drive E 450 has 268 bhp for a 0 to 100km/h in 5 seconds. As we’ve come to expect, no Mercedes model line up is complete without a variant from AMG. Both the E-Class Coupe and Convertible will be joined by a 53 4Matic version sporting the usual AMG touches; a different grille, new exhaust arrangement and carbon fiber trim inside. of greater appeal is the E 53, 3 litre inline-six which has a 48 volt mild hybrid system to improve economy and drivability. The AMG Coupe takes just 4.4 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h while the Cabrio manages it in 4.6 seconds. Keeping all that power in check are a host of chassis upgrades including new autonomous adaptive dampers, a 5 channel programmable traction control system and a set of enormous drilled and vented disc brakes with four piston calipers up front and single piston calipers at the rear.
The E-Class Coupé is one of Mercedes best designs yet. In terms of price, the E-Class Coupé is somewhat distanced from its rivals, the Audi A7 and BMW 6 Series cost considerably more to buy, while the Audi A5 Coupé and BMW 4 Series are smaller and much cheaper propositions. It’s got beefy looks on the outside and one of those cabins you could spend days in at a time. They’ve got the design 100% right inside and out. Pay for the AMG engine and you’ll have yourself the thrills to match.