Our spy photographers have been hard at work, and they finally caught the new Mercedes E-Class Coupe out on the road. As to be expected, the prototype is under heavy camouflage, but there is just enough visible to make it out as a Mercedes. 
We don’t know a whole lot about the new E-Class coupe yet, but we do know it won’t make its official debut for some time. With the E-Class sedan having just made its global debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, it will probably take at least a year before the two-door version actually breaks cover for all to see.
But, until it arrives, we can talk about what we can see protruding from the heavy camouflage. Plus, we get the glory of speculating a bit on what we might see when the time comes. Personally, I’m excited to see the final product, but until that can happen, let’s make do with what we’ve got.
Updated 01/20/2016: Based on the recently launched Mercedes E-Class we decided to create a rendering for the upcoming E63 AMG Coupe. We hope you like it!
Continue reading to learn more about the 2017 Mercedes E-Class Coupe.
Spy Shots
December 8, 2015 – First testing session
Exterior
As you can clearly see from the photos, Mercedes went to extremes when it came to covering up the E-Class coupe prototype. The grille has been covered by bland wire mesh, and it looks like just about every body panel – including the hood and doors – have received some kind of concealment padding. Normally, I couldn’t elaborate much on the exterior, but the fact that the E-Class sedan has already been unveiled makes things easier.
Much like the previous generation, the two will probably share the same front end, including the LED headlamps and the massive grille. To make things simpler, aside from minor styling features, the E-Class Coupe will seem like either a larger C-Class Coupe or a smaller S-Class Coupe. The story will be pretty much the same around back, where the taillights will be similar to those seen on both the coupe versions of the C-Class and S-Class.
However, when viewed from the sides, the E-Class Coupe will stand out by means of different character lines below the glass house and above the side skirts, as well as a different quarter window. All in all, it will be sportier and more stylish than its predecessor, but it will bear a closer resemblance to the other Mercedes-Benz coupes.
Interior
Note: Mercedes E-Class sedan pictured here.
Aside from the smaller rear passenger compartment and the lowered roofline toward the back, the E-Class Coupe’s interior will be identical to the sedan, which took its design cues from the S-Class. The dashboard will feature a new instrument cluster with either analogue dials and a seven-inch screen in between or a 12.3-inch display, depending on trim level. The former will be paired with an 8.4-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, while the latter will feature a 12.3-inch unit.
The steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons that just debuted in the E-Class sedan will also find its way into the Coupe, as will the infotainment system’s redesigned menus and functions. Highlights will also include Linguatronic voice control, a Comand rotary dial, energy-saving LEDs for interior lighting, and an optional Burmester sound system with 23 speakers. Naturally, customers will be able to choose between an array of high-grade leathers and wood inserts.
Drivetrain
Note: Mercedes E-Class sedan pictured here.
We expect the E-Class Coupe to carry the same drivetrains as the sedan, which means it will launch in the U.S. with a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-banger under the hood. The new engine will deliver 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque in the E300 and use a 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission to send it to the wheels. Further variants, including a more powerful six-cylinder and a diesel, will join the E300 after the market launch. An AMG variant is also expected to arrive with a bi-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 engine that has more than 550 horsepower on tap.
In Europe, the two-door will be launched with a 2.0-liter four-pot rated at 184 horses and 221 pound-feet and a hybrid that combined the same four-cylinder with an electric motor for a total output of 279 horsepower and 442 pound-feet. It will also receive two oil burners — a brand-new 2.0-liter with 195 horses and 295 pound-feet and an updated 3.0-liter six-cylinder with 258 horsepower and 457 pound-feet.
Prices
It is way too early in the testing phase of the new E-Class Coupe to really talk about prices, but the current model comes in three different trims – E400 Coupe, E400 4Matic, and E550. Prices for each trim start out at $54,200, $56,700 and $60,300, respectively. That said, I wouldn’t speculate on too much of a change sticker-wise. If nothing else, the price may jump up by a few hundred bucks per trim, but we’ll know more about that as time goes on.
Competition
BMW 6 Series Coupe
The BMW 6 Series came to be back in 1976 as a replacement for the for the E9 coupes. It was based on the first-generation 7 Series, and in its current generation, is on the same level as the Mercedes E-Class Coupe. The 6 Series comes with a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder engine that puts out 320 Horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. It can hit 62 mph in just 5.3 seconds, and – as all BMW model these days – has a limited top speed of 155 mph. Current pricing for he 6 Series starts out at $77,300 before options in the U.S. or €79,550 in its homeland.
Read our full review on the BMW 6 Series Coupe here.
Conclusion
It is impossible to draw any real conclusion about the new E-Class Coupe, except for the fact that it is eventually coming and that it will be heavily based on the E-Class sedan. Having already seen the four-door, the coupe should be gorgeous to look at and become the new benchmark in its segment, but we still have to wait for the real deal to break cover before we jump to conclusions.