The first official pictures and details of the 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Convertible have been released, completing the range makeover for the German car maker’s signature model.
The two-door versions of the updated E-Class follow less than a month after Mercedes revealed its new-look sedan and wagon, with the line-up all going on display at this month’s 2013 Detroit motor show.
They are due to arrive in Australia in September, three months after the four- and five-door.
Like those variants, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet abandon the model’s traditional ‘four-eyed’ headlight treatment for a more conventional twin lamp arrangement.
The four-headlight design is partially retained, though, through twin LEDs in each single lamp.
Larger air intakes and revised bumper design complete the most radical styling change for the E-Class Coupe and Convertible. The rear bumper is also tweaked and the tail-lights revised slightly.
The interiors also follow the changes made to the E-Class sedan and wagon. This includes the introduction of higher-quality materials and trim tweaks such as the strip that runs across the dash fascia and onto the doors and available in either a wood or aluminium finish.
An analogue clock is now positioned between the central vents on the dash, and there’s a new-look, three-dial instrument cluster.
The gear selector also changes from a large lever on the centre-console to a small stalk behind the steering wheel – along with paddleshift levers.
Infotainment systems are upgraded, with either a 14.7cm TFT colour display or 17.8cm high-resolution colour display with internet, hard-disc satellite navigation and six-CD changer depending on model or ticked option boxes.
The interior of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet continues to expose itself to the elements via a folding fabric roof. The company claims a higher-grade insulation for the soft top makes the E-Class Cabrio the quietest in its class.
The Aircap system that extends a moving lip above the windscreen to deflect wind away from rear-seat passengers continues to be optional, too, though now automatically deploys at speeds above 40km/h and automatically retracts below 15km/h.
The Coupe and Cabriolet adopt similar new or optimised technology to the sedan and wagon, including enhanced warning systems and a new Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera that will also appear in the forthcoming new-generation S-Class limo.
The SMPC is positioned near the rear-view mirror and works in tandem with radar sensors to for a 3D view up to 50 metres ahead of the car to detect a variety of potential obstacles or information – such as oncoming or crossing vehicles, pedestrians, and traffic signs and road markings.
Engine choices aren’t as broad as in the sedan and wagon but are still divided into six petrols and three diesels. All now feature stop-start technology as standard.
The petrol engines for the Coupe and Cabriolet kick off with a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder direct injection turbo with 135kW that powers the E200 model, and will also include a 245kW twin-turchocharged V6 for the E400 (one of the models highly likely for Australia) and a 300kW twin-turbo 4.7-litre V8 for the flagship E500 models.
Diesel power starts at 150kW with the 2.1-litre four-cylinder E220 CDI and ends with the 195kW E350 V6.
A six-speed manual is available in Europe but expect all Australian models to pair engines with a seven-speed auto.
Two types of suspension will also be available, with auto mechanically adjusting dampers forming the standard version on most models.
A sports suspension with dampers that can be adjusted (along with throttle response and gearshift mapping) by the driver via a switch is part of an optional Dynamic Handling Package.
It may be standard on the E500 model locally though Mercedes-Benz Australia is still a few months away from confirming local specifications.
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe currently starts from $95,000, with the most affordable E-Class Cabriolet priced from $107,850.
Click on the Photos tab above for a complete gallery of the new 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet.
