New: E-Class Coupé and
Cabriolet
Like the Saloon and Estate
models, Mercedes-Benz has completely revised the Coupé and Cabriolet members of
the E-Class family. New additions include powerful and efficient BlueDIRECT
four-cylinder engines featuring pioneering injection technology and trend-setting
assistance systems, which come under the heading "Intelligent drive".
These are systems which can help to prevent accidents with crossing vehicles or
pedestrians, Active Lane Keeping Assist or anti-glare, permanent high-beam
headlamps, for example. Visually, both the Coupé and Cabriolet draw on the new
Mercedes-Benz design idiom. Exclusive, luxurious equipment for sublime
refinement underlines the close affinity with the E-Class family.
The classic Coupé and the
four-seater Cabriolet of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are amongst the most
desirable vehicles at the higher end of the mid-class 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 highlights of
the successful E-Class family. The design of the exterior and interior alike is
fresh and sharp, as befits many of the stand-out new technical aspects.
According to Dr Joachim
Schmidt, member of the Management Board of Mercedes-Benz Cars and responsible
for Sales and Marketing: "Three words sum up both the E-Class Coupé and
the four-seater Cabriolet model: captivating, athletic, passionate. It is
especially pleasing that the two vehicles also incorporate the most intelligent
technology ever. This makes them true dream cars."
Design: e-motion at its best
The main feature of the new
look E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet is the revised front with new headlamps
comprising a single headlamp lens over all functional elements. The headlamps
are fitted with anti-dazzle LED lights as standard, with full LED technology
now available for the first time in this class as an option. Flowing light
elements within the headlamps reinforce the "twin-headlamp" look
which is typical of the E-Class.
New front bumpers with a more
pronounced V-shape and large air intakes considerably accentuate the dynamism
of these agile vehicles. As a whole, the front with sports car radiator has an
autonomous, sporty face, while at the same time emphasising the close affinity
between the Coupé and Cabriolet and the new E-Class Saloon.
As a visible sign of this
sporty car's rear-wheel drive, the muscular-looking rear wing has been
retained. New tail lamps and a wide-effect rear bumper with "wing
design" and chrome-look trim serve to discreetly underline the athletic
appearance of these model series.
The Coupé has classic
proportions with a long bonnet, elongated side line, flat roof line, and
powerful tail end. Traditional stylistic features which render the
Mercedes-Benz Coupé models unmistakeable define the striking lines of the
two-door variant. For example, uninterrupted by a B-pillar, the side windows
can be opened to their full extent.
The four-seater Cabriolet
model also has fully retractable side windows, with a continuous shoulder line
that ascends slightly as it runs from the front to the boot lid emphasising its
clear proportions.
A fine interior
Mercedes-Benz has additionally
updated the interiors of the new-generation E‑Class Coupé
and Cabriolet, carefully coordinating them with the expressive exteriors.
Inside the vehicles, stylish materials dominate alongside clean-cut surfaces
and the two-part trim which stretches across the entire dashboard. It
can be selected in a wood or aluminium look, thereby rounding off the
high-quality overall impression made by each interior.
Also new are the three-tube
instrument cluster with dials backed in white and the trapezoid-shaped,
high-gloss framed display in the head unit with flat-frame look. The kindred
nature of 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 interior is characterised
by the redesigned centre console without selector lever, as well as a
three-spoke multifunction steering wheel with DIRECT SELECT lever and shift
paddles in conjunction with automatic transmission.
One special benefit of the new
E-Class Cabriolet is that, thanks to the acoustic soft top with its
particularly high-grade insulation, the vehicle has 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.
For exceptional comfort when
driving with the top down, the speed-dependent AIRCAP system is available as
standard in the UK. This reduces wind swirl within the vehicle interior and
therefore noise levels, too. New: the AIRCAP system deploys automatically at
speeds exceeding 25 mph and the wind deflector in the front windscreen frame
automatically retracts again below 9 mph. This ensures that the E-Class
Cabriolet appears at its purest and most alluring when driving slowly and when
stationary. The draught-stop between the rear head restraints responds to the
number of vehicle occupants (passengers in the rear are detected if the rear
seat belts are in use). The positions of the extendable wind deflector in the
windscreen frame and the draught-stop are then adjusted accordingly.
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.
Limitless individual appointments
The E-Class Coupé and
Cabriolet offer virtually unlimited scope for individualisation. Examples
include new interior colours and colour combinations such as deep-sea blue to
contrast with silk beige in the interior. This brings a breath of fresh air to
the exclusive ambiance of the two sportier E-Class models.
"Intelligent drive" with futuristic new assistance systems
As for 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 refers to this
development as "Intelligent drive".
One basis for all this is
formed by state-of-the-art sensors such as a Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera in the
vicinity of the rear-view mirror that provides a three-dimensional view up to
around 50 metres in front of the vehicle. Intelligent algorithms merge the data
from the stereo camera with data from installed radar sensors, performing an
evaluation of three-dimensional visual information in order to detect vehicles
that are driving ahead, oncoming or crossing, as well as pedestrians and a
variety of traffic signs and road markings within a large field of vision. The
algorithms also spatially classify moving objects.
As standard in the UK, both
the Coupé and Cabriolet models are fitted with COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST, a
radar-based collision warning system with adaptive brake assist systems. 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 also inform
the driver about their level of fatigue and the amount of driving time which
has elapsed since their last break. It also offers an adjustable sensitivity
level.
As for the Saloon and Estate
models, a number of assistance systems are also optionally available which are
either new or now feature significantly extended functions. The following is an
overview of the innovations:
DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering
Assist can help to take the burden off the driver when it comes to keeping the
vehicle in its lane and also track traffic in tailbacks semi-automatically
for the first time, the Brake
Assist system BAS PLUS with Junction Assist is able to detect crossing traffic
and pedestrians too, and boost the braking power applied by the driver
accordingly
the PRE-SAFE® Brake can detect
pedestrians and initiate autonomous braking to avoid a collision at speeds up
to 31 mph
PRE-SAFE® PLUS can recognise
an imminent rear-end collision. The driver of the vehicle following behind is
warned by activation of the rear warning lights with increasing frequency. The
PRE-SAFE® system then triggers occupant protection measures to reduce the
forces to which occupants are subjected. It can also firmly apply the
stationary vehicle's brakes in the event of a rear-end collision to prevent
secondary accidents
Active Lane Keeping Assist can
now detect when the adjacent lane is occupied, including detection of oncoming
traffic. When there is the risk of a collision, the system can also prevent the
vehicle from leaving its lane unintentionally, when continuous lines are
present, by applying the brakes on one side. As such it makes the ideal
supplement to Active Blind Spot Assist
Adaptive Highbeam Assist PLUS
allows the main-beam headlamps to be kept on permanently without dazzling
traffic by masking out other vehicles in the beams' cone of light
Active Parking Assist enables
automated parking with active steering and brake control in both parallel and
end-on spaces (standard in the UK)
in addition to speed limits,
Traffic Sign Assist can now also detect and display no-overtaking zones and the
respective signs signalling their end. In the case of signs imposing access
restrictions, it can also provide visual and acoustic warnings the 360-degree
camera covers all four sides of the vehicle, thus enabling a uniform all-round
view, including virtual bird's eye view – a top-down view of the vehicle and
its immediate surroundings. Dynamic guide lines help with entering and leaving
parking spaces as well as manoeuvring
Professor Dr Thomas Weber,
Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, responsible for Group Research
and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development: "The new E-Class represents a major
step forward in every respect. The design elicits plenty of emotion, causing a
stir in its segment. Its technical highlights are unique. For example, new
assistance systems from the upcoming S-Class take the burden off the driver by
automatically keeping the vehicle in its lane and also tracking traffic in
tailbacks. For the first time, there are also systems that can help to prevent
accidents involving crossing traffic or pedestrians. What is more, with its new
engines the E-Class achieves optimum values in terms of efficiency, offers an
internet-enabled infotainment system, and boosts safety when driving at night
thanks to advanced LED headlamps and permanent high-beam with no dazzling. The
E-Class is absolutely packed with high-tech features and altogether makes a
very attractive package."
Powerful drive system delivering exemplary efficiency
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 system. At launch, there
will be two petrol engines available; E 200 BlueEFFICIENCY and E 250
BlueEFFICIENCY, and there are also three diesel engines; E 220 CDI
BlueEFFICIENCY, E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY and E 350 BlueTEC.
A new element is the
BlueDIRECT four-cylinder petrol engine with spray-guided direct injection,
based on the same trend-setting technology 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, quick multi-spark ignition,
turbocharging, fully variable camshaft adjustment on the inlet and exhaust
side, as well as a controlled oil pump.
The BlueDIRECT four-cylinder
engine also 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 the Coupé and Cabriolet achieve outstanding
emission and consumption figures. In addition, the new BlueDIRECT four-cylinder
petrol engines already meet the EU6 standard which will apply from 2015.
The six-cylinder diesel engine
for the Coupé and Cabriolet is available as BlueTEC models fitted with the
established SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology and as such meets
the EU6 emissions standard.
Mercedes-Benz will also offer
two transmissions for the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet in the future: a
six-speed manual transmission with high ease of shifting and short shift
travel, and the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic transmission with DIRECT SELECT lever
and DIRECT SELECT shift paddles. This latest stage of evolution of the
7G-TRONIC PLUS provides significant advantages in terms of efficiency and ease
of maintenance.
A new feature is the
short-term M mode. The benefit of this: if the driver has shifted up or down
manually, after a set period of time the transmission independently switches
back to the fuel-efficient automatic shift mode.
The suspension – the basis for superior handling
As standard, the Coupé and
Cabriolet are fitted with the AGILITY CONTROL suspension with selective damping
system. The shock absorbers adapt to road surface conditions, thereby ensuring
a high level of ride comfort. Sporty handling is enabled while still delivering
the comfort on long journeys that is typical of the brand.
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 choice of driving mode settings for sportier accelerator pedal
characteristics and gear shift 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, in future the E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet will be equipped with the
electromechanical Direct-Steer system as standard. This combines speed
dependent power assistance from speed-sensitive steering systems with a
steering ratio that varies with the steering angle. The electromechanical
Direct-Steer system ensures a more direct response, comfortable handling and
high levels of steering comfort across all speed ranges. It also offers the
potential to make considerable savings by only calling up energy for the
steering action and making innovative assistance systems, such as Active
Parking Assist systems, possible for the first time.
Source: News Press
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