By Stewart Smith on 2013-05-12 - Stewart was the former motoring editor of the Coventry Telegraph and is now a freelance contributor to Eurekar. He is based in Scotland and specialises in First Drive reviews.
Summer stunners from
Mercedes
MERCEDES is about to launch heavily revised versions of its up-market E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet just a few months after the saloon and estate range underwent major improvements to styling, engineering and equipment levels.
These new sporting versions have gained the striking new looks of the E-Class, especially up front, with bi-xenon headlamps, a wide aggressive grille, V-shaped bumper and large air intakes.
The rear has also been revised with new tail lamps, a wide rear bumper and chrome trimmed twin exhausts.
Interiors of both models are, as you'd expect, up to Mercedes' high standard with stylish materials, well-designed seating which is firm but supportive and quality wood and leather trim.
Both models have a new instrument cluster and three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, behind which is the gear selecter plus paddle shifters on most models.
As with the saloon and estate, the newcomers are offered in SE and AMG Sport specifications with a choice of six petrol or diesel engines.
The soft-top cabriolet is a four seater, and I drove the E250 CDI AMG Sport which will probably be one of the most popular choices in the UK. It costs £44,100.
Power comes from a 2,143cc 204bhp engine which gives more than adequate acceleration of 0-62mph in just 7.3 seconds and a claimed top speed of 153mph. It produces 129 g/km CO2.
With the soft top down it's probably one of the most civilised cabriolets around with very little turbulence thanks to an Aircap system wind deflector on top of the windscreen which automatically pops up at speeds above 25mph.
There's also an automatic deflector which deploys behind the rear seats to protect occupants even further.
With the hood up the cabriolet is pretty quiet, with only a bit of wind noise from the door mirrors - but that was noticeable only when I was doing well over the ton on de-restricted German motorways.
Suspension settings are good with rough surface intrusion well suppressed.
The coupe I tried was the top-range E400 AMG Sport. This is a serious bit of kit which comes with new 18-inch alloys, agility control sport suspension with adaptive damping system, upgraded front brakes, perforated discs, heated front seats, twin exhausts and new LED headlights and daylight running lights.
It's powered by a V6 twin-turbo, 2,996cc engine producing 333bhp and it's quick. Standstill to 62mph comes up in a claimed 5.2 seconds and it has a top speed of a limited 155mph.
Fuels consumption is claimed to be 35.8mpg and like all new coupes and cabriolets it is fitted with a stop-start system.
Acceleration is smooth through the seven-speed automatic box and it has phenomenal braking power for added safety.
This powerful coupe will set you back £46,265 which is £2,435 over the outgoing Sport model, but Mercedes say it offers £3,700 of added equipment.
There's plenty of standard and optional state-of-the-art safety equipment on the all variations of the new motors, including 11 airbags, an active blind spot warning, Junction Assist which detects cross traffic and pedestrians and the Mercedes Pre-Safe Plus system that recognises an imminent rear end collision.
Also available is Traffic Sign Assist which flags up speed limits, no-overtaking zones and no-entry signs on the seven-inch multi-function screen.
The new range of E-Class motors, on sale in June, will appeal to wealthy, younger drivers looking for a classy and noticeable motor - and I don't think they will be disappointed.
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