2018 Mercedes Benz E400 Coupe Supple Stunner REVIEW
Channel: Premium Cars
Date: 2018-01-02

At a time when its rivals are trimming back on their two-door lineups, Mercedes-Benz is doubling down on coupes. The automaker has more two-door models than any other luxury brand.

“We pride ourselves on having the broadest product offering in the luxury market. That’s true for the core segments, but I think that’s true for the relevant niches like coupes, too,” says Bernie Glaser, general manager of product management. “And the coupe market is an attractive one because the buyers are loyal. They don’t buy SUVs -- they want their stylish coupe.”

Yes, Mercedes-Benz is clearly a coupe specialist, and much of that comes from a long tradition of crafting some of the world’s most comfortable, chic and stylish personal luxury machines. Look no further than the current S-Class Coupe. It’s stunning. And as it turns out, those good genes have been passed down to its younger brother, the new seventh-generation E400 coupe.

The new E400 is one exceedingly handsome coupe. It’s perhaps the best-looking E-Class two-door since the W124 model of 1987-1996. But unlike that model, this new one shares little sheetmetal with other E-Class models. OK, yes, the headlights and grille are similar to the sedan and wagon, but just about everything else is a clean-sheet rethink. Mercedes even ditched the front fenders from the E-Class sedan and wagon. Why? It has a deep crease that runs down the side of the panel and sharp lines are like, so 2016. Glaser says this car signals a new design direction for the brand -- one without an overload of lines and folds in the metal. It all works very well.

Mercedes-Benz wraps the E400’s metal around the current E-Class chassis. Compared to the E300 sedan, the E400 Coupe is nearly 4 inches shorter overall and rides on a wheelbase that’s been trimmed by 2.6. However, when parked next to the last E Coupe, which was based on the old C-Class architecture, this one is much larger. And that means interior space has expanded to create more room for passengers and their stuff. Rear seat legroom is particularly generous. Mercedes-Benz says there’s actually more space back there than the S-Class Coupe. My full-size American adult frame has plenty of leg and headroom sitting behind a 6-foot-4 colleague in the front seat.

Those in the back seat are treated to a panoramic view thanks to the standard glass sunroof and pillarless side windows. Anytime an automaker removes a portion of the roof -- in this case, the B-pillar -- it means the structure needs to be shored up. To help bake rigidity back into the chassis and to make the platform stiff enough for the upcoming Cabriolet, Glaser says engineers added additional bracing around the car, most critical of which is a lateral crossbeam that wraps underneath the middle of the car where the B-pillar would be.

The new E-Class Coupe is expected to weigh more than the almost 3,800 pound sedan.

“At different points, you have key reinforcements—additional high strength steel which is welded into the underbody,” says Glaser. “For instance, where the transmission sits there’s an additional reinforcement to counter balance what you lose from not having that B-pillar.”

The E400 sits slightly lower than the sedan and when fitted with the standard steel spring suspension receives “selective” dampers that adapt to road conditions. Mercedes-Benz’s Air Body Control air suspension is a $1,900 option and provides unique height and firmness settings for comfort, sport and sport plus modes. And there’s even an extended height level for traversing rough roads or trudging through deep snow. Speaking of foul weather, the E400 coupe can once again be optioned with 4Matic all-wheel drive. Mercedes didn’t confirm a curb weight for the coupe but Glaser says it’s likely heavier than the sedan which has a base curb weight of 3,792 pounds.

Under the new E400’s power domed hood is the same 329 hp 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 from the current E400 coupe. However, Mercedes-Benz now mates the V6 to the company’s nine-speed automatic—up two gears over the old car. And that will likely boost fuel economy slightly past 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway rating of the 2017 coupe. Mercedes didn’t talk about a more potent offering, so if you want a more powerful E-Class coupe right now, better snag an outgoing 2017 E550. Or wait for the inevitable AMG model.

The Execution