Compared to its sedan sibling, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe takes a less austere and more daring approach to its design. For the 2018 model year, Mercedes has completely revamped its midsize coupe, and most of the changes are easy to see. Before we ask you whether the new model is refreshing or revolting, let's examine the some of the style updates.
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Up front, the E-Class coupe receives a new diamond-block grille that gives its face a three-dimensional look. Mercedes says the new coupe "exhibits a puristic, surface-accentuated design with reduced lines." It didn't take long before we noticed those "reduced lines;" the creases running across the front end are much softer than before. On many new E-Class coupes, no longer is the lower vent area divided into three sections, providing for a more fluid look. Look closely, and you'll also notice the headlights take on a rounder shape.
The E-Class coupe has grown 4.8 inches in length, but we think it still looks as sleek and taut as ever. It's quite hard to tell the old model and the new model apart from looking at their side profiles, unless you take a second look at those door handles. Once again, the coupe features a dramatically raked roofline and expressive body lines.
In the rear, the E-Class dons narrower taillights. The roof drops off more smoothly into the rear deck, and rounded edges prevail. The new E-Class coupe also loses a lot of the silver trim that it once had.
Whether or not you think the exterior is an improvement, it's going to be really hard to convince us that the interior isn't a big upgrade from the previous generation. The 12.3-inch display screen that debuted on the E-Class sedan gives the interior a cohesive look. The interior is highly customizable, with the choice of different wood trims and interior colors. Drivers can set the ambient interior lighting to one of 64 different colors.
Do you think the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe is refreshing or revolting? Let us know in the comments below.
Last week, we pitted the Audi A5 Sportback against another stylish four-door: the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. Audi won the match by a pretty large margin.
"The Audi wins on most fronts," notedPatrick Kinnamon. "The BMW isn't helped by the fact that baser models have that grimacing Popeye look to the front fascia."
"The BMW's rear is nice and the aggresive highlights like the vents and exhaust are cool but other than that I think the Audi is a way better looking car," wroteBrian Hakans.
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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