A CLASSIER E-CLASS COUPE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_mercedese-classcoupe_2020_preview

By Jonathan Crouch

Introductionword count: 78

The sixth generation Mercedes E-Class Coupe became sleeker and more stylish than ever in this C238-series form, while dialling up the desirability, aiming to offer a slightly larger, more sophisticated and arguably more prestigious approach to Executive coupe motoring than obvious competitors. Launched in 2017, it did so with a more efficient engine for the volume version, plus astonishing technology and comfort that made original buyers question the need for a larger, more expensive full-Luxury segment coupe model.

Modelsword count: 17

2dr Coupe [E220d] / 3.0 diesel [E350d] / 2.0 petrol [E200] / 3.0 petrol [E400/E 53 AMG])

Historyword count: 342

The E-Class Coupe. It's the kind of car that Mercedes does very well: a luxury coupe with a prestigious badge that rewards you for a lifetime's endeavour without necessarily needing a lottery win. Here, we're looking at the sixth generation version. No other brand can replicate this recipe in quite the same way - and no other brand has a car quite like this one. Yes, the same kind of budget would buy you better versions of the BMW 4 Series Coupe or the Audi A5 Coupe from this period, but these cars don't have the GT grandeur of this E-Class. And anyway, they're separately targeted by Mercedes' C-Class Coupe model. This slightly larger E-Class Coupe has a model history going back half a century. Its original ancestor, the Paul Bracq-designed W114 'Stroke 8' Coupe, was unveiled in 1968 and further model series followed, for a while using 'CLK' branding. The CLK variants were based on relatively compact Mercedes C-Class underpinnings, as was the direct predecessor to this design, the first modern-era E-Class Coupe, launched in 2009. This car though, the 'C238' version introduced in the Spring of 2017, shared its proper executive-sized platform with the tenth generation E-Class saloon - which made all the difference. It proved to be significantly bigger than the previous model, both inside and out, and got a raft of fresh technology that the old car couldn't have dreamed of providing. Probably the most significant addition was the all-new 2.0-litre four cylinder diesel powerplant that the vast majority of customers for this variant chose. There was plenty else though, that was new to this model line; 4WD, air suspension, all-new infotainment technology, sophisticated safety systems and cutting-edge assistance features that allowed owners to take a step closer to fully autonomous driving. Plus with this C238 design, Mercedes put greater effort into giving this variant a sportier feel than the saloon it was based upon. This C238 model got a light update in 2020, then sold until mid-2023, after which it was replaced by the Mercedes CLE Coupe.

What You Getword count: 499

For half a century, there's been a mid-range coupe in the Mercedes line-up and this stylish sixth generation E-Class Coupe is likely to remain longer in the memory than most. It was based on an E-Class saloon - which might sound like an obvious thing to say, but isn't. After all, both this model's direct predecessor and the CLK Coupe that preceded that were based on humbler C-Class underpinnings - as in fact, the rear section of this car still was. The front and middle segments though, used the more sophisticated MRA platform developed for the current tenth generation E-Class saloon. Which is why this car was so much longer, wider and higher than before. The most elegant touch was one we particularly liked, the pillar-less side profile that referenced the Mercedes W114 'Stroke 8' of 1968, the coupe recognised as the originator of this model line. The absence of this central bar together with the frameless window design meant that with all the side windows opened up, you got a wonderful sense of airy freedom that on the move was further enhanced on models fitted with the optional panoramic glass sunroof. When it's time to take a seat inside, Mercedes' now traditional 'belt butler' hands you your seatbelt over your shoulder on an extending arm, a nice little touch that really sets the tone for this car. Take a look around and you'll find that, as expected, apart from a few extra trimming panels, the basic architecture of the cabin is shared with the W213-era E-Class Saloon, the only really unique difference being more distinctive air vents - there are no fewer than four of them in the centre of the fascia, all with styling that was supposed to echo the look of a turbine engine. The other main cabin talking point is the double-screen instrument panel which was standard on six cylinder models but initially optional on four cylinder variants. It combines a 12.3-inch virtual instrument display with a second centre-dash 'COMMAND Online' monitor of the same size, both screens fitted into a single frame. Once you're in the back, there are certainly signs of improvement over the previous generation model. The 113mm increase in wheelbase does indeed translate into extra stretching space - 74mm more knee room was added with this C238 model. Plus thanks to 74mm of body width, there was 34mm more space for shoulders. And boot space? Well, you'd expect that this sixth generation model's 123mm of extra body length would have provided for a larger boot. Actually, when you lift the lid - on some models it was fitted with optional power assistance - you find that the reverse is true, there being actually 25-litres less than the capacity of the previous generation model, the total with this C238 design being 425-litres. Should you want to carry longer items, the split-folding rear seat has two larger outer sections and a narrower middle portion that's ideal for pushing through skis or golf clubs.

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