Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe revealed

The answer to the question being posed by the driver as we rapidly exit a corner and charge along a challenging section of snow covered road deep with the Austrian Alps is a resounding yes. The new-for-2017-model-year Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is better in every subjective way than the six-year-old model it replaces . . . from the passenger seat.
                                                                                                
The improvements are palpable, and they not just restricted to its exterior, which is far more attractive than the angular appearance of the old E-Class Coupe. There's also a stylish new interior sporting unique design touches, a longer cabin with added accommodation for the rear seat occupants, new petrol and diesel engines, the option of rear- and four-wheel drive, a more contemporary platform offering greater engagement and, on upper end models and Mercedes-Benz's latest three chamber air suspension for improved ride comfort.         
 
We spent a morning riding in a pre-production prototype of the E-Class Coupe with Peter Kolb, the man who has overseen the extensive test and development operations of the latest German two-door, which is planned to make its world debut at the upcoming Detroit motor show in early January. Within a couple kilometers of setting off along the closed testing road to our destination atop a mountain forming the border between Austria and Italy at an altitude of 2474 metres it was obvious Mercedes-Benz has delivered a much more compelling and rounded car than its predecessor, which has been on sale in Australia since 2010.
 
Before we'd got that far, though, the new E-Class Coupe had already left favourable impressions with its svelte new look. Despite the light disguise worn by the prototype on hand, it is clear Mercedes-Benz's design team has delivered a more cohesive looking car than the old E-Class Coupe. Most prominent of all is the almost total lack of feature or swage lines throughout the flanks and around the rear wheelhouses.
                                                                                                       
Further distinguishing design elements featured on the new model include Mercedes-Benz's now traditional soft nose grille, a more conventional bonnet that eschews the side fender clamshell style shut line of its predecessor,  frameless doors, heavy tumblehome effect to the glasshouse, lack of B-pillars, flowing C-pillar, defined shoulder line over the rear wheelhouses, shallow rear screen, sloping boot line, and trapezoidal shape tailpipes integrated within the lower section of the rear bumper.  

At 4827mm in length, 1860mm in width and 1430mm in height, the new E-Class Coupe is 141mm longer, 50mm wider and 25mm higher than its one-year-old stablemate, the C-Class Coupe. By comparison, the old model stretched to 4703mm in length, 1786mm in width and 1397mm in height. It also rides on a unique but as yet unspecified wheelbase, one of six now supported by Mercedes-Benz's flexible  MRA (modular rear drive architecture) platform upon which the new two door is based.
                                      
Inside, the new Mercedes-Benz, which goes under the internal codename C238, predictably shares many of its appointments with the existing E-Class saloon and estate, including its optional twin 12.3 inch high definition instruments and infotainment displays as well as its basic dashboard design and switchgear. But in a move that successfully provides the new E-Class Coupe with its own dash of style, it receives intricate new air vents within the facia, Mercedes-Benz's so-called integral front sport seats and, in time honoured fashion, electronically controlled feeder arms for the front seat belts.
 
The new coupe will become the first model to offer a delete option for the rotary controller that has formed an integral part of Mercedes-Benz's Comand infotainment system since 2003. In a move that will be followed on other future models from the German car maker, buyers will be able to order the E-Class Coupe exclusively with a touch pad mounted on the forward section of the centre console between the front seats.  
 
The added exterior length has been put to good use within the cabin, with the new E-Class Coupe offering 90mm more distance between the seat reference point for the front row of seats and that of the rear bench than in the C-Class Coupe. At 425 litres, the capacity of the capacity of the boot is 25 litres less than before, although it is better shaped than in the old E-Class Coupe and now comes in combination with a 40:20:40 configured rear seat that allows you to easily extend carrying capacity. 
 
Kolb's typical work day revolves around the organization and execution of testing programs for the entire E-Class line-up, and he is quick to display his driving talent and technical knowledge as I settle into the passenger seat and. The prototype we're riding in is the E400 4Matic Coupe. It runs the more moderately powered version of Mercedes-Benz's M276 petrol engine, a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 kicking out 245kW at 5250rpm and 480Nm of torque between 1200 and 4000rpm.
 
Straight up, it is clear the initial range topping E-Class Coupe model doesn't lack for straight line performance nor mechanical refinement in the most soothing of its four driving modes.  Mated with Mercedes-Benz's smooth shifting 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic and an optional 4Matic four wheel drive system providing a nominal 45 per cent of drive to the front wheels and 55 per cent to the rear, the 60-degree unit propels the E400 4Matic Coupe along in an effortless manner and with whisper quiet qualities at anything but manic revs.
 
It is only when we approach a series of corners and Kolb switches from comfort into sport mode that Mercedes-Benz's efforts in imbuing the longitudinally mounted V6 engine with a hint of sportiness is exposed as a raspy crackle is unleashed through the exhaust on the over run.      
 
With a month to go before the new car makes its public premiere, Mercedes-Benz is holding back on official performance claims. However, Kolb says the E400 4Matic Coupe should be good for a 0-100km/h time around 5.0secs and a top speed limited to 250km/h - futures that place it on the same performance plane as the old E500 Coupe, whose twin-turbocharged 4.7-litre V8 petrol engine kicked out a stronger 300kW and 600Nm of torque. The new model is also expected to return around 7.5L/100km on the combined European consumption cycle for average CO2 emissions of 161g/km.
 
All up, Mercedes-Benz plans to offer up to five E-Class Coupe models, although not all are planned for Australian sale. Included is the E200 Coupe with a 135kW version of the German car maker's turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and an E300 Coupe running the same engine but in a higher state of tune at 180kW. Further up the line-up is the E400 4Matic Coupe we ride in here.
 
On the diesel side is an E220d Coupe fitted with Mercedes-Benz's new turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder oilburner with 143kW and an E350d Coupe running the German car maker's familiar turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine with 190kW.
 
Kolb reveals the entry level E200 Coupe receives a six-speed manual gearbox, while all other models are fitted with Mercedes-Benz's 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission. All models come with either standard rear-wheel drive or optional 4Matic four-wheel drive save for the E300, which comes exclusively with rear-wheel drive.
 
Also under development at Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance car division, though not planned to join the line-up until the second half of 2017, is the four wheel drive E50 Coupe 4Matic. Set to crown the new E-Class Coupe line-up as a celebratory 50th anniversary model from AMG, it is earmarked to become among the first Mercedes-Benz models  to receive the German car maker's all-new M256 in-line six-cylinder petrol engine.  
 
In standard guise, the turbocharged 3.0-litre unit, which uses a combination of conventional exhaust gas driven and electric powered turbochargers, delivers 300kW and is combined with an integrated starter generator and electric auxiliary compressor capable of boosting performance when required. Suffice to say, the AMG version will likely be even more powerful.

Along with a clear focus on performance and economy with the new range, Kolb says the prime objective during the three year development of the new E-Class Coupe was enhancing its handling and refining its ride in a bid to make it more attractive to a wider group of customers. "It started during the initial digital prototyping stage and has played a central role right the way throughout its development," he says.

In a move he says has contributed to a heightening of its handling and provided the basis for increased comfort, the new model also receives a much stiffer body structure than its predecessor. No details are yet available, though the forthright Mercedes-Benz test and development expert divulged to Drive that the torsional rigidity, in particular, is better than that of the latest E-Class saloon despite the decision to continue with the pillarless design that has become a signature element of the car down through the years.

As we continue our run along a valley road, Kolb also reveals a lot of work has been focused on broadening the characteristics of the standard Dynamic Select system, which provides the driver with the choice of four different drive modes: Eco, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus. "The tuning is unique," he says. "We have widened the range of settings so there's now a greater spread in the steering, throttle and gearbox mapping in each of the individual modes."

What immediately strikes me as we begin winding our way up the side of the mountain on more challenging roads dusted with snow and ice is the sheer agility and poise of the new E-Class Coupe. Pushed along at speeds few potential customers are likely to ever experience, it corners with great enthusiasm and very little body roll. Fitted with 18-inch wheels shod with 245/45 profile Michelin Pilot Alpin tyres, it also delivers impressive grip and, in combination with the 4Matic four-wheel drive system found on the prototype, terrific traction out of low speed corners.

It is the quality of the ride that impresses the most, though. Despite sitting a nominal 15mm lower than the E-Class saloon, the new two door manages to soak up the worst of what the Austrian roads have to throw at it with great authority. The pre-production prototype Kolb has brought along runs one of three suspension options that will be offered on the new new E-Class Coupe, a comfort orientated set-up with Mercedes-Benz's latest Air Body Control system that provides outstanding compliance. Also available will be a standard steel set-up with fixed rate dampers and a so-called sports system with steel springs mated to adaptive dampers.

Also of note are the outstanding acoustic qualities. With a drag co-efficient of 0.25, there is very little wind buffeting, even at high speed. The real achievement, however, is the excellent isolation of road noise. Together, they provide the E-Class Coupe with a superbly

But if you're after a more definitive verdict, you'll have to wait until we get to drive the new E-Class Coupe for ourselves early next year. There is little doubt the new Mercedes-Benz is a vastly better and more rounded car than its predecessor. From the passenger seat it displays all the endearing qualities potential buyers will surely be seeking; engaging performance, keen handling, superb ride quality and outstanding refinement. It also sounds the goods in E400 4Matic Coupe guise with the sport mode engaged.

Like its predecessor, the new E-Class Coupe will be produced at Mercedes-Benz's factory in Bremen, Germany - home to a raft of models, including the SLK, SL, GLC, GLC Coupe, C-Class estate and C-Class Coupe. The new two-door also forms the basis for a new E-Class cabriolet, which is planned to get is first public airing at the Geneva motor show in March 2017.

Mercedes-Benz E400 4Matic Coupe Specifications

Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol

Power: 245kW at 5250rpm

Torque: 480Nm at 1200-4000rpm

Transmission: Nine-speed automatic; all-wheel drive

Fuel use: 7.5L/100km