2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe - new video reveals interior

“We’re progressing the design of our production cars to a new phase. It still adheres to the basic principles evident in more recent models, but it is much cleaner and more timeless in appeal,” says Wagener of the new lineage.  

The new design can be seen on the E-Class Coupé prototype pictured here, which has only taped cladding over its production panels.  Most prominent of all is the almost total lack of feature or swage lines throughout the flanks and around the rear wheelhouses – a hallmark that marks a radical shift away from the heavily adorned look and distinctive swage line technique of the old E-Class Coupé.

The new E-Class Coupé, codenamed C208, is based on Mercedes' latest MRA (modular rear architecture) structure, with a unique wheelbase and wider tracks providing it with a significantly larger footprint.

Further distinguishing design elements featured on the new model include Mercedes-Benz’s now traditional soft nose grille, a more conventional bonnet that eschews the wide fender clamshell style shut lines of its predecessor,  frameless doors, heavy tumblehome effect to the glasshouse, lack of B-pillars, flowing C-pillar, defined shoulder line over the rear wheelhouses, shallow rear screen, negatively sloping boot line, and trapezoidal shape tailpipes integrated within the lower section of the rear bumper.  

Like the new-generation saloon, the E-Class Coupé will sit on Mercedes' MRA platform, which already underpins the C-Class and S-Class. The Coupé will also feature the same range of engines, including a new generation of four-cylinder petrol powerplants alongside a staple 2.0-litre diesel. A range of 3.0-litre six-cylinder diesels is also expected to be offered.

Mercedes will also offer a E 350e plug-in hybrid saloon variant, which mates a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine to an electric motor, although it's not yet known whether this powertrain will be offered in the Coupé variant. Among the planned engines are the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz in-line 2.0-litre four-cylinder and newly developed 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. 

Also planned to feature in the new coupe is Mercedes-Benz’s new twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 – essentially a detuned version of the similar configured engine used in the latest line of models from its AMG performance car division.

All engines will be mated exclusively to the German car maker’s latest nine-speed automatic gearbox. Alongside standard rear wheel drive, selected models will  also set to feature optional 4Matic four-wheel drive.  

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Speculation surrounding plans for a top-of-the-range Mercedes-AMG E 63 Coupé model are yet to be confirmed, although sources say a new C43 Coupé model is already under development and planned for launch in 2017.