Mercedes-Benz E-Coupe arrives to Middle East

Today Mercedes Benz Middle East announced that the new E-Class Coupé from Mercedes-Benz will be available in showrooms cross the Middle East & Levant in July. Unfortunately the press release did not include a release date for the Egyptian market, which is one of the largest consumer markets in the Middle East and Africa and even has a Mercedes assembly factory in Cairo.

According to this press release the new Mercedes E-Class Coupe aims straight at the senses with its taut lines, powerful muscles and sharp, arrow-shaped front speaking directly to the emotions.

With its classic coupé side aspect our new two-door is a particularly sporty interpretation of the E-Class's dynamic design,” said Frank Bernthaler, Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, Middle East & Levant. “At the same time, this coupe achieves a new world’s best drag coefficient of just 0.24 Cd, making it the world's most aerodynamically efficient series-production car.”

The Coupé makes no secret of its close relationship to the recently launched new E-Class Saloon. It is immediately obvious from the twin-headlamp face which features a similar rhomboid design for the lights but with a somewhat sportier, sharper treatment which creates a more dynamic and incisive look.

In addition, the new Coupé offers all the technical innovations of the new E-Class that one might expect to find in a sports-oriented luxury coupé. These include selective damper control, drowsiness detection and preventive occupant protection. As a feature specific to the Coupé, the Dynamic Driving package allows different suspension setups at the touch of a button. Adaptive Main Beam Assist, and an automatic emergency braking system are other features with which the new series sets standards in this vehicle segment.

The new E-Class Coupe will initially be available in two versions, the E 350 with a V6 engine producing 272 hp and a 0-100 kmh time of 6.5 seconds and the V8 engine E 500 that pushes out 388 hp and can hit 100 kmh from zero in just 5.3 seconds.

The E-Class also takes on a pioneering role with its new direct-injection petrol engines which combine efficiency with an effortless power delivery. They will be available across the Middle East as an E 250 CGI in September and in the E 200 CGI in March of 2010.

But Mercedes Benz Middle East did not mention if there will be any diesel-version offered or not.

With its sporty look and feel, the cockpit design is clearly in keeping with the agile character of the new Coupé. The instrument cluster with five tubes for the dials and a central display has a slender look while the dials themselves are clearly laid out and have high-quality chrome surrounds as well as a silver backing for the scales.


Next to the instrument cluster is the display area for the control and display system for the radio, navigation system and other functions. The system is operated by means of a rotary and push-action Controller which falls conveniently to hand in front of the asymmetrically split armrest between the front seats.


The AMG Sports package, on the other hand, clearly focusses on agility and performance potential. AMG bodystyling includes the unmistakable contours of the AMG front apron with large air intakes, AMG side skirts and the expressive AMG rear apron with a black insert.


High-sheen 18-inch AMG light-alloy wheels in a 6 twin-spoke design with wide-base tyres in size 235/40 R 18 at the front and 255/35 R 18 at the rear provide further highlights. The AGILITY CONTROL sports suspension with a stiffer spring, shock absorber and stabiliser setup is combined with large, perforated brake discs at the front, plus brake callipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering.


Initial prices for the new E-Class Coupe with a GCC specification that includes panoramic sunroof, climatised front seats, media interface and Command with satellite navigation, start at US$ 63,000 for the E 350 with the E500 at US$ 80,500. The E 250 CGI that arrives in September will start at US$ 55,000.

It is a pity that there was not a better marketing campaign for this very beautiful and attractive model in the Middle East region, as this model could surely be a best-seller in the region and surely have a positive impact on the current automotive crisiswhich also affected the Mercedes Benz factories in Sindelfingen and Bremen. Same applies for other Mercedes models such as the S400 Hybrid and the C180 Blue Efficiency.