Along with the Saloon and Estate, Mercedes-Benz has also carried out a thorough revamp of the Coupé and Cabriolet in the E-Class family. Visually, both the Coupé and Cabriolet draw on the new Mercedes-Benz design idiom. An exclusive and luxurious specification for sublime motoring refinement underlines both the customer's individuality and the models' E-Class family genes. New features include powerful and efficient BlueDIRECT four-cylinder engines with pioneering injection technology and trailblazing assistance systems as part of the "Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive" concept. Such Intelligent Drive features include, for example, systems which are able to prevent collisions with crossing vehicles or with pedestrians, a proximity control system that helps to steer too, and dazzle-free continuous high beam.  

The classic E-Class Coupé and the four-seater Cabriolet are amongst the most desirable vehicles in the executive segment. By combining intelligent, efficient technology with luxurious equipment that offers superb comfort, neither model compromises when it comes to indulging a passion for superlative driving enjoyment. That is why they are regarded as emotion-packed highlights in the successful E-Class family. The design of the exterior and interior alike is fresh and sharp, as befits the many new stand-out technical features.

According to Dr Joachim Schmidt,Executive Vice President Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales and Marketing: "Three words sum up both the E-Class Coupé and the four-seater Cabriolet model: captivating, athletic, passionate. It is especially satisfying that the two vehicles also incorporate the most intelligent technology currently available. This makes them both true
dream cars."

The new look of the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet is mainly the result of the redesigned front end with new headlamps comprising all functional elements behind a single headlamp lens. The headlamps are fitted with LED low beam and LED daytime running lamps as standard, while all-LED technology is available for the first time in this class as an option. Inside the headlamps, flowing LED fibre-optic cables resembling eyebrows reinforce the "four-eyed" look that is typical of the E-Class.

The new, front bumpers with large air intakes and wing-design chrome detailing clearly bring out the dynamism of the agile vehicles. All in all, the front with its sports car grille presents a distinctive, sporty face, but at the same time emphasises the close affinity between the Coupé and Cabriolet and the new E-Class Saloon.

New tail light units, whose LED fibre-optic cables echo the styling cues of the front headlamps, and a broad-looking rear bumper in "wing design" with chrome-look trim serve to discreetly underline the athletic appearance of these model series. This character can be further accentuated by the addition of the optional Sports packages including a two-pipe exhaust system with trapezoidal tailpipes.

The Coupé has classic proportions with a long bonnet, elongated side line, flat roof line, and powerful tail end. Traditional stylistic features that render Mercedes-Benz coupé models unmistakable define the two-door model's striking lines – such as the‑outline of the fully retractable side windows without any B-pillars to interrupt the flow. The four-seater Cabriolet model also has fully retractable side windows, with a beltline that continuously ascends gently as it runs from the front to the boot lid emphasising its clear proportions. The classic fabric soft top bestows it with a sense of exclusive elegance at the same time as evoking memories of the great four-seater Mercedes-Benz cabriolets of the past.

Mercedes-Benz has additionally updated the interiors of the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet to great effect, carefully coordinating them with the expressive exteriors. Inside the vehicles, stylish materials dominate alongside clearly structured surfaces and the two-part trim element that stretches across the entire dashboard. This can be selected in a choice of authentic materials, such as wood or aluminium, thereby rounding off the interior's high-quality overall impression.

Also new are the instrument cluster with dials backed in white and the head unit's trapezoid-shaped full-colour TFT display with its high-gloss frame. The kinship with the new E-Class family is indicated by an analogue clock between the redesigned air outlets, as well as by controls in silver chrome.

The restyled centre console without selector lever, as well as a three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with DIRECT SELECT lever and shift paddles in conjunction with an automatic transmission also help to set the tone for the interior.

One special asset of the new E-Class Cabriolet is that, thanks to the acoustic soft top with its particularly high-grade insulation, the vehicle achieves the lowest noise level in its class. The unique acoustic soft top ensures that, even at high speeds, only very little wind noise is heard in the interior.

The highly innovative AIRCAP system is available as an option for exceptional comfort when driving with the top down. This reduces wind turbulence within the vehicle interior and therefore wind noise, too. New: in Active mode, the AIRCAP system deploys automatically at speeds exceeding 40 km/h, and the wind deflector in the windscreen frame automatically retracts again below 15 km/h. This ensures that the E-Class Cabriolet appears in its purest form when driving slowly and when stationary. The two rear head restraints together with the draught-stop between them respond to the number of vehicle occupants by extending automatically if the rear seat belts are in use.

Also optionally available: AIRSCARF neck-level heating. This addition extends the cabriolet season by ensuring it is comfortable to drive with the top down even when it is cold outside.

The E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet offer virtually unlimited scope for individualisation, as demonstrated by the new interior colours and colour combinations. Examples include deep-sea blue to contrast with the silk beige interior, which brings a breath of fresh air to the exclusive ambience of the two athletic E-Class models.

As in the Saloon and Estate models, new assistance systems that combine comfort with safety have found their way into the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet: "Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive".

This is partly down to the use of state-of-the-art sensors such as a Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera in the vicinity of the rear-view mirror, which provides a three-dimensional view of the area up to around 50 metres in front of the vehicle with a total monitoring range of 500 metres. Intelligent algorithms merge the data from the stereo camera with data from the radar sensors that are also fitted. A common control unit evaluates the information received from the various sensor systems in order to detect vehicles that are driving ahead, oncoming or crossing within a large field of vision, along with pedestrians and a variety of traffic signs and road markings, as well as to carry out a spatial classification of moving objects.

In the main markets, both the Coupé and Cabriolet models are fitted as standard with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a radar-based proximity and collision warning system with adaptive Brake Assist. It helps to significantly reduce the risk of a rear-end collision. Also forming part of the standard equipment is ATTENTION ASSIST, which is now able to warn of inattentiveness and drowsiness across a wider speed range and to inform the driver about their level of alertness and the amount of driving time which has elapsed since their last break. It also offers an adjustable sensitivity level.

In addition, a number of assistance systems that are either new or feature extended functionality are also optionally available. The following is an overview of the innovations:  

There is a wide choice of powerful petrol and diesel engines for the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet. All are highly efficient and equipped with the ECO start/stop function. Six petrol engines are available, ranging in output from 135 kW (184 hp) to 300 kW (408 hp) together with three diesel engines ranging from 125 kW (170 hp) to 185 kW (252 hp).

A new element is the BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engine with spray-guided direct injection, based on the same groundbreaking technologies used in the latest generation of six- and eight-cylinder engines from Mercedes-Benz. Its technology package includes fast-acting piezo injectors for multiple injection, fast multi-spark ignition, turbocharging, fully variable camshaft adjustment on the inlet and exhaust side, as well as a regulated oil pump.

The BlueDIRECT four-cylinder engine sees the world's first use of the stratified lean-burn process in combination with exhaust-gas turbocharging and external high-pressure exhaust gas recirculation. As a result, both Coupé and Cabriolet achieve outstanding emission and fuel consumption figures. In addition, the new BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engines already meet the EU6 standard that comes into force from 2015.

Also making up the BlueDIRECT petrol engine range are the familiar V6 and V8 engines. A new addition is the six-cylinder engine version being offered for the first time as the E 400 with biturbo drive. With its performance potential and formidable levels of torque from low engine speeds, this engine redefines standards in the six-cylinder sector while likewise meeting the EU6 emissions limits. The six-cylinder diesel unit for the Coupé and Cabriolet comes in the guise of a BlueTEC model with further improved SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology, which allows it to comply with the EU6 standard as well.

Mercedes-Benz will continue to offer two transmissions for the Coupé and Cabriolet in future: a six-speed manual transmission with extremely smooth shifting and short shift travel, and the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever and DIRECT SELECT shift paddles. The latest version of the 7G-TRONIC PLUS to emerge provides major benefits in terms of efficiency and ease of maintenance.

A new feature is Momentary M mode. The benefit of this is that if the driver has shifted up or down manually, the transmission independently switches back to fuel-efficient automatic shift mode after a set period of time.

As standard, the Coupé and Cabriolet are fitted with the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping system. The shock absorbers adapt to changing road surface conditions, thereby ensuring a high level of ride comfort. This also enables sporty handling while still delivering the comfort on long journeys that the brand is renowned for.

An AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension with selective damping system and firmer damping characteristics is available as an alternative along with the Dynamic Handling package. The latter offers a driving mode setting with sportier accelerator pedal characteristics and gearshift points, as well as electronic damping control. This allows the driver to adjust the damping to their requirements at the touch of a button, depending on whether they want a comfortable or sporty ride.

Like the Saloon and Estate models, the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet will be equipped with the electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard in future. This combines speed-sensitive power assistance with a steering ratio that varies with the steering angle. This helps to achieve excellent straight-line stability and makes for comfortable handling and high levels of steering comfort across all speed ranges. The electromechanical assistance also offers the potential to make considerable savings by only using up energy when the steering is turned, and also makes innovative assistance systems such as Active Parking Assist possible in the first place.

The Coupé and Cabriolet models come with a comprehensive range of high-quality equipment as standard, including state-of-the-art infotainment systems. These help to keep drivers up to date with what is happening around the world or in the office while out on the road, at the same time as offering them great listening pleasure as well as the option of adding powerful navigation systems or an internet connection.

The Audio 20 CD Radio comes as standard equipment. It features a 14.7 cm TFT colour display, twin tuner and MP3-capable CD player as well as a USB connection in the centre armrest. Bluetooth®-capable devices can also be connected, and SMS text messages displayed. The Audio 20 CD can optionally be combined with a six-disc CD changer as well as the Becker® MAP PILOT budget navigation unit, which can also be retrofitted if the appropriate pre-installation is ordered.

Alternatively, Mercedes-Benz offers the COMAND Online multimedia system with 17.8 cm high-resolution colour display, internet connection, hard-disc navigation and emergency call feature, which can also be combined with a six‑disc DVD‑c hanger. COMAND Online provides internet access, enabling customers to surf the web while the car is stationary or to call up Mercedes-Benz apps, whose particularly fast page loading and simple operation make them suitable for use while on the move, too. Integrated apps include Google™ Local Search and Weather and the facility for downloading a route which has previously been configured on a PC using Google Maps and transmitted to the car. In addition, apps for Google™ Streetview and Google™ Panoramio as well as other apps are also available.

The prices (euros in Germany, including 19% VAT):

Model	Coupé	Cabriolet
E 200	42,661.50	47,600.00
E 250	47,362.00	51,884.00
E 300	51,437.75	55,959.75
E 350	54,085.50	58,607.50
E 400	56,108.50	60,630.50
E 500	70,805.00	75,327.00
E 220 CDI	44,268.00	48,790.00
E 250 CDI	46,945.50	51,467.50
E 350 BlueTEC	53,312.00	58,191.00