Saturday, February 2, 2013

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet The refreshed 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and cabriolet will look familiar if you've seen the sedan and wagon variants. However, despite receiving a few visual tweaks and added technology, the two-doors won't get the hybrid V-6 and diesel I-4 available under the hood of their four-door siblings.   Fans of the two-door E-Class' large and curvy rear fender flares will be glad to see they've carried over to the refreshed model. (The styling feature was removed on the sedan and wagon.) The oversized fenders seem more appropriate on the two doors, especially since the design pays homage to the classic Ponton coupe. Up front, the quad-style headlights disappear in favor of a two-unit design, though the E-Class' signature four-eyed look is retained, thanks to new fiber-optic-like bars.

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet

 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-end
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-left-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-right-side-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-right-view-2
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-right-view-3
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-right-view-4
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-front-three-quarters
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-rear
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-rear-left-side-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-rear-left-side-view-2
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-rear-left-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-rear-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-top-view-2
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-front-left-side-view-6
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-front-left-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-left-side-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-top-view
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-front-interior
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-rear-seating
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Cabriolet-steering-wheel
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-interior
2014-Mercedes-Benz-E-Class-Coupe-interior (1)

2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet

Those interested in something even more high-tech will be pleased to hear that Mercedes is offering new all-LED headlights as an option. Rounding out the new front clip is a reworked bumper that features larger air dams and a chrome accent strip along the bottom edge. Out back, the new taillights mimic the sedan's -- the turn signal and reverse light bar move from the center to the lower edge -- and more chrome is used for the lower bumper.   Inside, designers turned to the S-Class for inspiration. An analog clock is added between the center air vents, and the gear shifter moves to the steering column, giving the center console a cleaner look and leaving room for bigger cupholders. Mercedes also made revisions to cabriolet's AIRCAP system by adding a deflector above the windshield to help reduce interior wind noise and turbulence. The updated AIRCAP also automatically deploys at speeds above 25 mph and retracts when speed drops below 10 mph. Previously, it was operated with the push of a button.
As expected, engineers have stuffed the 2014 E-Class coupe and convertible with the brand's latest safety technology, much of which was unveiled in the sedan and wagon. Like the four-doors, the two-door E-Class variants now feature what Mercedes calls a Stereo Multi-Purpose Camera. Located near the rearview mirror, the camera scans the road ahead for a number of items, including oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The 2014 E-Class also gets Collision Prevention Assist, which combines radar-based technology with the brake assist system to help avoid front-end crashes, and Attention Assist 2.0, which can detect drowsiness over a wider speed range than the original version and features adjustable sensitivity.   Additional active safety technology includes an updated version of Distronic Plus, Benz's adaptive radar-based cruise control system that can detect lanes and help the driver steer. It helps keep the car within the lines with the aid of Active Lane Keeping Assist, a separate system that applies the brakes on one side of the vehicle when the driver inadvertently drifts into another lane. The Brake Assist system (BAS Plus), meanwhile, will boost braking power when it detects a collision with cross traffic or a pedestrian. Drivers who loath parking can opt for a new Active Parking Assist system that will automatically maneuver the E-Class into a parallel or perpendicular parking spot. Those who prefer to park on their own will appreciate the new 360-degree camera, which displays the car's surroundings on the infotainment screen.   Because they're not getting the two new engines, the 2014 E-Class coupe and convertible make do with carryover engines and the seven-speed automatic transmission, though both now get engine stop-start technology standard. That means the 2014 E350 retains the current model's 3.5-liter, direct injected V-6 rated at 302 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, and the 2014 E550 remains powered by a 4.6-liter, twin-turbo V-8 that produces 402 hp and 443 lb-ft. For those in northern climates, the E350 coupe is available with all-wheel drive. The 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe and convertible arrive in showrooms this summer, a few months after the sedan and wagon. With a new face and improved interior, the refreshed coupe and convertible should have no issue attracting car buyers considering other German two-doors such as the Audi A5 or upcoming BMW 4 Series.