There are, of course, coupes and coupes. There are those rather unfortunate little fellows where the back-seat occupants need to be stunted dwarves, or neckless wonders. Then there are those rather pleasing conglomerate of reasonable, pleasant or exceptional locomotives. The Mercedes E Class Coupe fits at the extreme top of this fraternity.
There is no way of telling, while sitting behind the wheel, that this visual delight is actually powered by an extremely fine diesel. However, this becomes apparent as the mileage is raked in and the fuel gauge really seems inclined not to move, especially when in Eco mode.
In fact, in this mode, the Stop/Start function comes into play, whereas when enjoying the full value of the car in modes other than Eco, it sits gently pulsing, raring to go as one patiently waits for the vehicle ahead to be driven off.
Mercedes has had a reputation for quality for some decades. In fact, if memory serves me well, even the pre-war Mercedes was in a class of its own, positively frightening the competition into manufacturing vehicles to an acceptable standard of panel fit.
On the road, this Merc behaves like a true companion. If the mood is one of exuberant decision, the razor-sharp responses and magnificent seven-speed auto box blasts the car forward at an alarming rate, peaking out at 250 km/h after reaching the magic 100 in only 7.3 seconds.
The chassis is so well tuned that speed becomes an irrelevance, especially when cruising on a decent surface at speeds more in line with its continental birthplace, rather than the ‘halls of residence’ where speed kills and various potentially useful flashing lights tell us we’re going too fast for reasons only known to the scientists attached to Transport Malta.
This coupe provides enough on-board information to require a second pilot to give a ‘navigator’-type commentary on what the computer read-out is up to.
In fact, I’m reliably told that after a few days of enjoyable driving, it becomes second nature to read the tales told when stuck in traffic – easy for us in Malta, or at junctions, traffic lights or the like.
Truthfully, although the driving was done mid-morning, for most of the time we were stuck behind slow-moving cars. One very small, red creation was particularly irksome, as the driver was unable to get the thing to do more than 40 km/h on a major, single-lane highway and while the commercial fraternity blasted past the driver, we spent time in Eco mode, gently tickling the throttle while wafting along in fourth gear at 35 km/h. That playfully shows just what a glorious amount of torque this ever patient diesel generates.
It’s hard to flatter the engineers behind the E Class Coupe enough. Not only is the car extremely comfortable and surprisingly easy to drive, but the feeling of confidence bestowed upon the driver, especially as bends are taken at remarkably high speed, on the St Paul’s Bay bypass, for example – without the car either attempting to understeer off the black-top, or slide the back out, was something of a revelation; it became absolutely clear that anyone sliding off must be stupid, unobservant enough to hit something extremely slippery or must have suffered some catastrophic breakage that even this supremely safe vehicle was unable to cope with and rectify.
This is one small example of vehicles we’ve tested that has no need to have its safety features displayed by us in print. It would appear to us that Mercedes engineers are somewhat ahead of the game where the subject of electronic safety devices is concerned.
It also has to be remembered that the underlying mechanical components have to be well and truly up to the tasks controlled by electronics.
Otherwise, some bright, young thing would get hold of a 1935 Austin Ruby, equip it with computer aids and wonder why it still fell off the road.
Our test car came with the Exterior Sports Package, which meant it had the Agility Control Sports Suspension. This may be one reason why we were even more impressed than usual, even in a Mercedes, with the car’s handling.
It also had a sporty rear apron, a most attractive twin pipe exhaust system, a black painted insert on the rear bumper and perforated front discs with painted callipers.
This, in fact, is by no means the fastest coupe, because any of somewhat more enthusiastic bent and considerable recourses may be tempted into buying the E55, with its 0-100 km/h time of only 4.8 seconds.
Verdict
Comfort
With four people and luggage this is a titan among cars.
Performance
The driver holds the key, but a darn good grade.
Cool
What can one say?
Quality
Five stars simply rate it well.
At a glance
Top speed
250 km/h.
0-100km
7.4 seconds.
Economy
5.1-4.5 litres per 100 km.
C02
133-119 g/km travelled.
Engine
Four cylinders in line 2143cc.
Power
204 bhp at 3,800 rpm.
Maximum torque
500 Nm from between 1,600-1,800 rpm.
Emission class
Euro 5. Efficiency Class A+.