04 Mar 09 15:42
Mercedes-Benz' new E-Class Coupe, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, has been touted as 'sports-oriented' luxury two-door that will replace the current CLK-Class.
It will come in two-door form and includes traditional styling elements from Mercedes-Benz Coupes, such as an absence of a B-pillar and a radiator grille with the large central star, while at the same time reflecting the design of the forthcoming E-Class Saloon.
Inside, the newly developed seats are electrically adjustable for seat height and backrest angle, have an Easy-Entry function to help rear-seat passengers, and are fitted with electro-pneumatically-adjustable four-way lumbar supports.
Two individual seats are available for the rear passengers, featuring backrests that can be folded down individually or together to increase boot capacity.
The engine line-up comprises two diesel and three petrol units. The E 250 CDI BlueEfficiency's powerplant develops 201bhp and 368lb-ft of torque, but uses 17% less fuel than the corresponding previous engine, returning 53.3mpg and a CO2 figure of 139g/km.
The turbocharged V6 diesel in the E 350 CDI BlueEfficiency Coupe ups the power from 221bhp to 228bhp and returns 41.5mpg and carbon-dioxide emissions of 179g/km.
There are two new petrol engines with direct injection: the E 250 CGI BlueEfficiency Coupe is powered by a newly developed direct-injection unit with 201bhp, returning 40.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 164g/km, 13% less than the figure for the previous four-cylinder engine.
The V6 petrol engine in the E 350 CGI BlueEfficiency Coupe develops 287bhp (an extra 18bhp) and, with combined fuel economy of 32.5mpg, consumes 14% less fuel than the previous V6: CO2 emissions are 203g/km. The V8 in the E 500 Coupe generates 382bhp and 390lb-ft of torque, returning 25.9mpg.
There are also numerous new safety features in the E-Class Coupe, mirroring the technical developments in the E-Class Saloon: Attention Assist monitors the driver's drowsiness levels and provides warnings to prevent them falling asleep; Adaptive Main Beam Assist, the latest lighting technology from Mercedes, uses a camera fitted inside the windscreen to provide the driver with the best possible road illumination at all times; and an active bonnet will help pedestrian protection in the case of accidents.
The E-class Coupe will come in two trim levels, SE and Sport
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
