Already six years old as of 2015, the fourth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class 
is living its final months on the market. Outdated by both performance and design, especially when compared to its German competitors, the sedan is only a year away from receiving a comprehensive overhaul. The coupe and cabriolet versions, on the other hand, will likely be around for at least a couple of years before the fifth-gen E-Class expands to include two-door models.
As it usually happens with nameplates when they’re about to enter a new generation, the E-Class is bound to receive an array of special-edition models with added features, AMG styling cues, and attractive stickers. For 2015, the E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet have already gained two such models, one of which is the V8 Edition.
Launched for exclusively for the European market, the V8 Edition features a bunch of exclusive features inside and out, as well as a couple of upgrades Mercedes rolled out for the entire E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet lineup. As the name suggests, the special-edition Merc is based on the V-8-powered E500, sold as the E550 on U.S. soil.
Continue reading to learn more about the Mercedes E-Class V8 Edition.
Exterior
Note: Standard Mercedes E-Class Coupe pictured here.
Although some limited-edition Mercedes cars are enhanced by sportier body kits, the V8 Edition remains identical to the standard E500. However, both the Coupe and Cabriolet receive two special paints called Selenite Grey Metallic and Diamond White Bright, and a set of Titanium Grey-painted, high-sheen AMG wheels. The rollers come in a multi-spoke design and measure 19 inches. As with most special-edition cars, this one also features “V8 Edition” badges on the front fenders.
Interior
Note: Standard Mercedes E-Class Coupe pictured here.
While the V8 Edition’s exterior is only about special paints and AMG wheels, the interior gained a lot more exclusive features. The Nappa leather upholstery can be had in either Porcelain or Classic Red with black edging, while the flat-bottom sports steering wheel features the same choice of colors for its topstitching. If you’d rather have the classy wood and leather version, Mercedes offers it as an option.
Both the center console and dashboard are covered in black Nappa leather and the same Porcelain or Classic Red contrast stitching seen on the steering wheel. More Nappa leather can be found on the door armrests. Additionally, “V8 Edition” lettering adorns the seats belts and the trim seam of the floor mats.
Visual updates aside, the V8 Edition is also equipped with multicontour front seats with four-way lumbar support and memory. There’s also a Thermotronic automatic climate control system with fine-particle activated charcoal filter, separate temperature controls for the front passenger and rear compartment, and individual climate modes.
On top of the aforementioned features, the V8 Edition also benefits from a couple of upgrades Mercedes -Benz just added to the entire E-Class Coupe and Cabriolet lineup. New features include Apple’s CarPlay and MirrorLink for better smartphone integration, as well as Live Traffic Information. Live Traffic Information is available for models with both the Audio 20 CD basic unit with Garmin Map Pilot and Command Online.
Drivetrain
Note: Standard Mercedes E-Class pictured here.
As it is restricted to the E500 model, the V8 Edition can only be had with the twin-turbo, 4.7-liter V-8 engine. No changes occurred under the hood, which means the V8 Edition benefits from the same 402-horsepower and 443-pound-feet rating as the standard E500 (the same model is sold as the E550 in the U.S.).
The Coupe needs 4.8 seconds to hit 62 mph from a standing start, while the Cabriolet reaches the same benchmark in 4.9 ticks. Top speed is limited at 155 mph for both models. Power travels to the wheels through a 7G-Tronic transmission.
Although the engine remained unaltered, the V8 Edition did receive the Agility Control sports suspension as standard. Equipped with selectable modes for the adaptive damping system and featuring specific tuning of the “Sport” mode, it delivers improved agility and ride comfort.
Safety
Just like the regular E500, the V8 Edition is packed with safety features, including 11 airbags, Collision Prevention Assist Plus, Attention Assist, Advanced Tire Pressure Monitoring, Brake Assist, ABS, ESP, and Adapting Braking Technology. Customers can further enhance the car’s safety with optional features such as Distronic Plus with Steering Assist, Brake Assist Plus with Cross-Traffic Assist, Parktronic, Active Curve Illumination, Pre-Safe Brake with Pedestrian Recognition, Active Blind Spot Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, and many more.
Prices
The V8 Edition package adds €7,973 (about $8,910) to the price of the E500, regardless of its body style. With the E500 Coupe and Convertible priced from €43,197 (around $48,285) and €48,135 (about $53,785), respectively, customers will have to pay at least €51,170 ($57,210) for the closed-top version and more than €56,108 ($62,690) for the drop-top model.
Competition
BMW 6 Series
Launched in 2011, the current 6 Series is two years younger than the E-Class and has just received its mid-cycle facelift for the 2015 model year. Although the initial 650i had a V-8 that generated the same amount of horsepower as the E500, the revised engine introduced in 2012 raised the output to 443 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, 41 horses and 36 pound-feet more than the Merc. Though BMW doesn’t sell a special-edition 6 Series in Germany for 2016, both the coupe and convertible version can be customized with a wide array of BMW Individual parts as well as M-badged packages. Pricing for the Coupe starts from €90,700 (about $101,300), while the Cabrio retails from €99,300 (around $110,940), which makes the Bimmer a lot more expensive than the V8 Edition.
Find out more about the BMW 6 Series here .
Conclusion
With the current E-Class a bit long in the tooth and a redesigned model more than a year away, Mercedes has no choice but to try and sweeten up the deal as the C207 Coupe and Cabriolet reach the end of the road. And it is doing just that with both the V8 Edition and the Sport Edition. Unfortunately, both models are only available in Europe.
Press Release
The Coupé and Cabriolet versions of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class are starting off into autumn with two special-edition models. The Sport Edition impresses with sporty details both inside and out. The V8 Edition comes with exclusive appointments to arouse the desire of customers. Alongside the special-edition models, Mercedes-Benz is further upgrading all its E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet models – such as with comprehensive smartphone integration and Live Traffic Information.
Muscular visual attractions for connoisseurs
The V8 Edition is based on the E 500 Coupé and E 500 Cabriolet each with 300 kW/408 hp. Powered by an eight-cylinder V-engine, even the basic versions of both variants are among the most exceptional vehicles on the road. With the connoisseur in mind, the V8 Edition takes both the Coupé and the Cabriolet to a new level in terms of style and exquisite appointments. Aware of the tastes of the automotive aficionado, the design specialists at Mercedes-Benz have opted for a first-class equipment specification.
The V8 Edition offers a unique package of exclusive highlights. On the exterior, these include titanium grey-painted, high-sheen 19-inch AMG multi-spoke light-alloy wheels and “V8 Edition” badges on the wings. Special paint finishes in selenite grey metallic and designo diamond white bright emphasise the exclusive-sporty character of the V8 special models.
Driving dynamics are guaranteed by the AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension with selectable mode for the adaptive damping system and specific tuning of the “Sport” mode for the automatic transmission to deliver improved agility and ride comfort.
Comfort comes courtesy of multicontour seats for driver and front passenger with 4-way lumbar support and Memory package, which additionally includes the settings for steering column and exterior rear view mirrors. Driver and front passenger are afforded special protection by the PRE-SAFE® positioning function. A special look feel is provided by exclusive nappa leather upholstery in the colours porcelain or classic red with black contrasting edging. The same applies to the multifunction sports steering wheel with flattened bottom section and contrasting topstitching in porcelain or classic red and perforated grip area (wood/leather version optional).
The centre console and instrument panel are finished in black nappa leather with topstitching in porcelain or classic red; the door centre panels with armrest are in nappa leather in the appointments colour with tone-in-tone topstitching. To create a harmonious overall look, the design specialists have added “V8 Edition” lettering in the appointments colour to the seat belts, the contrasting topstitching and the trim seam of the black-edged velour foot mats.
The V8 Edition includes THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control with three climate zones, fine-particle activated charcoal filter, separate temperature control for driver/front passenger and rear compartment, individual climate modes FOCUS, MEDIUM and DIFFUSE, air-quality sensor with automatic air recirculation, dew point sensor as well as rear temperature control panel.
Smartphone integration
With the launch of the two special-edition models, Mercedes-Benz is equipping all its E-Class Coupé and Cabriolet models with comprehensive smartphone integration for the infotainment systems Apple® CarPlay® (for iPhone® users) and MirrorLink®. In the case of e.g. Apple® CarPlay® the system supports telephoning, navigation and listening to music, receiving and sending SMS and emails as well as Siri voice control.
Equally new is Live Traffic Information for the Audio 20 CD basic unit with Garmin® MAP PILOT as well as for vehicles equipped with COMAND Online.
This costs an extra 4367.30 euros incl. 19% VAT on top of the basic model for the Sport Edition and 7973.00 euros for the V8 Edition. The LED Intelligent Light System (mandatory in Germany) costs an extra 1725.50 euros incl. VAT. This provides the vehicle with LED technology for headlamps, direction indicators, daytime driving lights, position lights and cornering lights including variable beam pattern for country road and motorway, active curve illumination and enhanced fog light function.