The Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan is getting restyled for the 2014 model year, so it’s only fitting that the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet will get some alterations as well. The two-door E-Classes will debut alongside the sedan at the Detroit Auto Show later this month.
As with the sedan, the 2014 E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet are midcycle refreshes, not completely new designs, and the biggest changes are in styling. All 2014 E-Class models ditch the four-headlight look that dates back to the 1997 E-Class and CLK coupe and convertible.
The headlight count may be down to two, but the whole front end looks much more aggressive than what we see on the current E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet. Just like the sedan, LED strips in the headlights suggest four individual units, and the front bumper’s big air intakes suggest the body kit on a tuner’s Honda Civic.
Everywhere else, the changes are less dramatic. The rear fender bulge that was erased from the E-Class sedan is still there, and while the rear end is different, there aren’t any especially dramatic styling elements.
The 2014 E-Class Coupe and E-Class Cabriolet may have a more aggressive look, but neither is a sports car. Mechanically, they will be similar to outgoing 2010-2013 models.
Engine choices remain the same. The base E350 comes with a 3.5-liter, 302 horsepower V6. The E550 comes with a 4.6-liter, twin-turbocharged, 402 hp V8. Both engines are paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, and the E350 is available with 4Matic all-wheel drive.
For 2014, both engines get a start-stop system, which shuts off the power when the car is stopped to reduce fuel consumption.
On the inside, other new tech awaits. The optional Driver Assistance Package includes a stereo camera mounted on the rearview mirror. This camera can detect obstacles in the car’s path and transmit that information to the E-Class’ safety systems.
One of those systems is the updated lane keep assist. It automatically tugs the car back into its lane if the driver inadvertently crosses the double-yellow line. On 2014 models, it can also detect oncoming traffic in an adjacent lane if, for example, the E-Class driver is trying to pass someone. Hopefully the system won’t try to move the car over before the pass is complete, or it might avoid one crash only to cause another.
The E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet will go on sale in the summer of 2013, the perfect time to buy a new convertible. Pricing will be announced after their Detroit debut, but expect a slight increase over the 2013 E-Class Coupe’s $51,120 and the E-Class Cabriolet’s $59,070 base prices.
