Mercedes E 350 BlueTEC Coupe, review and test

Premium coupes have seen better days, and fashion has moved on to other segments, but there are still some models available that offer an alternative to typical saloons or more hardcore sports cars. Today we take the wheel of the Mercedes E-Class Coupe, a model that doesn’t stand out for radical sportiness but for its stylish design, which blends sporty and elegant in equal measure.

Our test car was an E 350 BlueTEC which hides under its bonnet a powerful 258 hp V6 diesel engine. However, it is not for its power that it stands out, but for its enormous 620 Nm of torque, which propels this coupe with ease. Without further ado, let’s begin the test of a premium coupe that is powerful, economical and elegant.

Exterior design

The Mercedes E-Class was updated in 2013, although the changes made two years ago were no more than a model refresh in terms of design, a restyling, since the generation it is based on dates from 2009. Even so, few changes were needed to bring the E-Class up to date: tweaks to the headlights, the interior, and an update to the engines, for an almost perfect final result.

The most notable thing on the outside is the fluidity of its lines, an imposing front end with new LED headlights (for all lighting functions and adaptive), while the sporty cut of the AMG Pack also stands out, as do the large air intakes in the front bumper. On the side, there are large doors (typical of a coupe) and AMG sports wheels (235/40 R18) with large brake calipers, where the Mercedes-Benz logo stands out.

At the rear, the LED-technology lights stand out, along with the two chrome exhaust outlets typical of the AMG Pack that complete the sporty look. We also must not forget the large panoramic sunroof that our test car was equipped with.

High-quality interior for four occupants

Once we step inside, as soon as we sit behind the wheel, everything is in its place and everything has the quality you would expect from a Mercedes. The driving position is very low. The front seats stand out, upholstered in micro-perforated leather with electric adjustment and, especially, lateral adjustment with several options so the seat can adapt to us at all times or to our driving style (more or less lateral support, lumbar adjustment, cushion tilt…).

There is only room for two occupants in the back, access is not the most comfortable but is entirely normal for a coupe. While legroom is adequate, if you are taller than 1.75 metres you will be tight on headroom, since the sloping exterior line affects the height of the rear seats. They have air vents and a glovebox between the two seats.

As for the driver’s position there is only one word to define it: quality. All materials have a good feel and their quality is evident. That said, this E-Class has a somewhat classic design compared with the newer creations of the star brand, although this last point is a personal view.

It has a large central storage compartment and several spaces to leave objects in the centre console, as well as in the door pockets (long but not very deep). The boot has a capacity of 450 litres, although as a coupe it has a small loading opening.

Engine and performance

Want a diesel that outclasses a petrol engine? Then this 258 hp 350 BlueTEC is one of the best V6 diesel powerplants on the market, at least to the taste of the author of this article. Under the 350 BlueTEC designation hides a 3-litre six-cylinder powerplant that delivers adequate power but a generous torque of 620 Nm at just 1,600 rpm.

That is the genius of this engine: the torque and the forceful response from low revs up to well past 4,500 rpm. If we press the accelerator gently, the E-Class Coupe gains speed quickly but in a very refined way, always with the smoothness typical of a V6. The surprise comes when we decide to put our foot down: that is when we feel all its power, which literally presses you into the seat, though without any harshness.

Overtaking or merging onto a motorway takes just seconds with this powerplant, and it is paired with the new 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic gearbox developed entirely by the German brand. It is a quick transmission that offers great comfort, always trying to keep the engine very low in revs to reduce consumption (at 50 km/h it is in 6th gear at 1,200 rpm).

The E-Class Coupe has several driving modes that affect the gearbox and accelerator pedal: ECO/Sport/Manual. Among the performance figures, the 0 to 100 km/h time of just 6.2 seconds stands out, while its top speed is 250 km/h.

Handling

Our protagonist is at its best on country roads or motorways, since it is a very comfortable car, with more than enough push, economical, and with the sublime interior soundproofing typical of the brand, which makes us travel in a sort of bubble isolated from everything happening outside. The suspension is also geared towards comfort.

In town it is a big car, losing some agility, although thanks to the automatic gearbox it is comfortable to drive in cities. On more winding or challenging roads, you have to take into account certain limitations of its size, since the engine pushes relentlessly but we are not driving a precisely small car (4.70 metres) and it weighs 1,785 kg, which is not excessive but is another factor to consider. With the sportier suspension (optional), the handling would surely improve and gain more agility on this type of road.

That said, to stop the Mercedes E-Class Coupe you barely need to touch the brake pedal, because its large discs and brake calipers fulfil their task outstandingly. The steering feel is also worth noting: accurate, with variable assistance.

Fuel consumption

On our usual route between Madrid > Vigo > Madrid, the average consumption was 6.7 litres per 100 km, a good figure for a V6 car with 258 hp. On the road, on our usual test route, it hovered around 7 litres per 100 km, while in town consumption rose to 8.5 litres per 100 km, which is entirely understandable.

Equipment

Gone are the days when premium brands had little standard equipment and everything was built up through extras. This Mercedes E-Class Coupe already comes quite well equipped as standard, although the standout feature is the range of optional safety equipment: blind spot monitoring, Distronic Plus, lane departure warning or full LED headlights (among others).

Analysing these safety elements in detail: blind spot monitoring is always highly recommended in any vehicle and gives an extra measure of safety when overtaking, lighting a warning light in the mirror and giving an audible alert if there is a car in the blind spot. Also notable is the active lane-keeping assistant, which can even turn the steering wheel to put us back on the correct path and, in case that is not enough, brakes the car if we cross the road markings. It does not stop the car completely, but it reduces speed. Another safety element (among the long list our test car had) is Attention Assist which detects when we have been driving for a long time and suggests taking a break; it works, among other things, based on time at the wheel, driving mode, etc.

The Distronic Plus is the adaptive cruise control, which detects the cars ahead and, if they brake, adjusts our E-Class’s speed, even braking if necessary. It also incorporated the Pre-Safe system, which combines a series of safety elements that act by braking the car in case of risk of collision, or even preparing the car for an imminent collision if it cannot be avoided (it is one of the most complete active and passive protection systems).

Finally, the navigation system with voice recognition and internet connection via smartphone stands out, as does the enormous sunroof that brings plenty of light into the cabin.

Prices of the Mercedes E-Class Coupe

• Mercedes-Benz E 200 Coupé €44,100
• Mercedes-Benz E 220 BlueTEC Coupé €47,225
• Mercedes-Benz E 250 BlueTEC Coupé €53,400
• Mercedes-Benz E 250 Coupé €53,550
• Mercedes-Benz E 350 BlueTEC Coupé €60,300
• Mercedes-Benz E 320 Coupé €61,900
• Mercedes-Benz E 350 Coupé 4Matic €68,075
• Mercedes-Benz E 400 Coupé €68,850
• Mercedes-Benz E 500 Coupé €87,300

Personal opinion

The Mercedes E-Class Coupe is for those seeking a comfortable coupe, ideal for covering long distances without tiring, with an engine that has more than enough performance to spare. However, if you want a well-balanced diesel engine, the 250 BlueTEC with 204 hp is more than sufficient, though it is a four-cylinder.

The interior space is not the strongest point of this E-Class Coupe, especially in the rear seats, since the front ones offer plenty of room for feet and head, and the various seat adjustments mean we always travel in the most comfortable way. In fact, it is designed so that at least two occupants have more than enough space.

In terms of equipment, the various safety options available surprised us. It is true that they are optional, but it remains one of the brands that most emphasises safety. In short, it is an interesting choice for those looking for a comfortable coupe with good performance and reasonable consumption.