2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe revealed

Two-door E-Class Coupe inherits E-Class sedan's looks, drivetrains, and tech, but not its dimensions. Australian introduction expected by mid-2017.

A two-door variant of Mercedes-Benz's new E-Class range was expected, and the Stuttgart carmaker has delivered with the model's fourth body style, a sporty coupe, due for local launch mid-next year.

On the surface the new E-Class Coupe carries the front styling of its sedan counterpart, whereas its body looks more sculpted and muscular compared to the sleek and shapely sedan. At the rear the E-Class Coupe adopts horizontally arranged taillights, characteristic of Mercedes-Benz's new coupes and coupe-SUV models.

The E-Class Coupe's rear light cluster also debuts a trick 'Welcome' feature, which illuminates the taillight's LED's in quick succession from the centre outwards when the vehicle is unlocked, also lighting up the LED's in reverse order upon locking the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz says that the new E-Class Coupe is 'based technically on the sedan', referring to the fact that, like the C-Class and E-Class, it's underpinned by Benz's new MRA (Modular Rear Architecture) platform.

Sure enough, the new E-Class Coupe's wheelbase of 2873mm places it between the E-Class sedan's 2939mm and the C-Class sedan's 2840mm. Whereas at 1860mm, the E-Class Coupe is wider than its four-door E-Class sibling.

Measuring 4826mm long the new Coupe's body is significantly larger than its predecessor (+123mm), with a wider track (+67mm front, +68mm rear) delivering a more aggressive and planted stance.

This increase in dimensions also improves interior space with rear legroom growing 74mm, front shoulder room up 50mm, and rear shoulder room increased by 34mm.

the E-Class Coupe's specification shares a lot with the sedan.

The cabin is pure E-Class, with the same beautifully shaped interior as the sedan. Although final specifications and variant range for Australia are yet to be confirmed, it's likely the coupe will come standard with analogue main instruments paired with a 21.3cm central display screen, with twin 12.3-inch digital displays, covering instrumentation and multimedia optionally available.

The coupe also features the E-Class' Touch Control steering wheel buttons, which allows the driver to use finger swipes to access the instrument cluster and multimedia system's functions. An optional ambient lighting system offers occupants a choice of 64 colours.

Aside from four individual seats, the only other design cue that sets the E-Class Coupe apart are its turbine-inspired front air-conditioning vents.

Although the E-Class Coupe sits 15mm closer to the ground than the sedan Mercedes-Benz says the coupe's Direct Control suspension is tuned for comfort courtesy of an amplitude-dependent damping system.

Another likely option is Dynamic Body Control suspension, offering three damping adjustment settings, or the Air Body Control air suspension system delivering continuous electronically controlled adaptive damping and five different suspension characteristic settings.

The E-Class Coupe is available with three petrol engines and one diesel option from (global) launch, all of which are paired to Mercedes-Benz's new 9G-Tronic nine-speed torque converter automatic.

Similar to the drivetrains used in the sedan, the coupe range comprises E 220d, E 200, E 300, and E 400 4MATIC.

The E 220d features a 143kW/400Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, which will punt the coupe from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.4 seconds and return a combined NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) fuel consumption figure of 4.0L/100km.

The E 200 and E 300 on the other hand feature the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit delivering 135kW/300Nm and 180kW/370Nm respectively. While the E 200 gets to 100km/h in 7.8 seconds, the E 300 manages the sprint in 6.4, whereas rated combined fuel consumption figures are 6.0L/100km and 6.4L/100km.

The range-topping E 400 4MATIC sports a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 producing 245kW/480Nm. Coupled to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive system the E 400 sprints from zero to 100km/h in 5.3 seconds.

As for onboard features, the E-Class Coupe's specification shares a lot with the sedan. Expect the coupe to feature Active Brake Assist as standard, while options should include Drive Pilot autonomous steering, Distance Pilot Distronic radar-guided cruise control, operating at speeds of up to 210km/h, and Multibeam LED headlights that can precisely direct the beam from its 84-individually controlled LED's without dazzling other road users.

One trick the coupe has up its sleeves over the sedan is the addition of a Remote Parking Pilot feature which allows drivers to move the vehicle into and out of tight parking spaces remotely via a smartphone app; especially handy on a two-door model with its longer doors.

Does two fewer doors add more appeal to the Merc E-Class equation? Tell us what you think in the comments below.