C before E: New E-Class Coupe still based on C-Class architecture
05/19/2009, 12:03 PM
By Drew Johnson
Mercedes-Benz’ now-defunct CLK-Class was historically positioned as a coupe version of its E-Class Sedan, but in reality had more in common with the lesser C-Class. Mercedes attempted to remedy that discrepancy by supplanting the CLK with the all-new E-Class Coupe, but a new report reveals the new E-Class Coupe isn’t that far removed from its predecessor.
The new E-Class Coupe was believed to be based on the E-Class sedan – as the name change would seem to imply – but Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Ernst Lieb recently revealed to Automotive News that the new car is still based on the C-Class’ architecture. Lieb says Mercedes used the C-Class platform to underpin the E-Class Coupe to give the car a stiffer chassis, netting better overall performance.
“You can expect a stiffer car with a bit more performance,” Lieb told Automotive News. “Customers want that.”
The E-Class Coupe’s C-Class platform also explains the two-door’s pricing. Coupes and convertibles generally carry a premium over their sedan counterparts, but the new E-Class Coupe will list from $48,925 — $550 less than the 2010 E-Class Sedan.
05/19, 12:15 PM
posted by:
aesir
Does anyone see this as bad news?
05/19, 12:31 PM
posted by:
SomeGreek
Not me. Smaler, lighter, more agile. The new E-class has very different priorities than a coupe.
05/19, 12:35 PM
posted by:
TornadoGTI
Not bad news because of the platform but bad news because of the price. This base price is $13k more than a base G37, $12k more than a 328i Coupe, $7k more than a A5, and only $2k less than an S5.
Nice looking car but…
05/19, 12:36 PM
posted by:
LS7
This is indeed a bad news. C-Class structure feels much filmiser than the E-Class. The E-class feels much more like a traditional Benz, of having the bank vault like structure, where as C does not. And buyers will feel that difference, when they test drive the 6-series vs E-class back to back.
Having said that, Audi’s A5 is based on the smaller A4, so maybe Merc is thinking ahead. And they are also slashing the cost to make this quite a bit. I dunno. Personally, I would have like to seen a C-coupe, and an E-coupe. Both with totally different dynamics.
05/19, 12:38 PM
posted by:
mentir
This is a case of the coverup being worse than the crime. It’s always been common knowledge that the CLK was based on C-class architecture. The only people that are going to be embarrassed by this are uninformed owners who find out that their E-class coupe is actually a C-class coupe.
05/19, 1:27 PM
posted by:
rzegatl
Smaller, maybe, but the last article on this said it weighed 4400 lbs. I’d rather have a used CL55 for $28K
at that weight.
05/19, 1:34 PM
posted by:
F50
Its sorta bad for the people who bought them and thought they were based on the Sedan, I agree with rzegatl, I’d rather have a CL55… only if its the W215.
05/19, 2:15 PM
posted by:
Madcapp
Any potential Mercedes-Benz buyer would be better served with a BMW.
05/19, 3:23 PM
posted by:
writeeddie
Its will be more sporty AMG with the lighter-weight C-platform than the hefty E…. Why not~ but aren’t they talking about a smaller C-class coupe & conv. also??
05/19, 9:11 PM
posted by:
rudegar
None of the above comments really address the qualitative differences. That is, what makes aN E btter than C.
1. Driving dynamics: Won’t the couple handle better than the bigger heavier E sedan?
2. Will the coupe have the same sound deadening and quietness as the sedan, isolation from harshness but connectedness to road.
3. Will the coupe ride as smoothly; this is qualitative: the coupe suspension is not airmatic, the wheelbase is the shorter C wheelbase. What are the consequcnes to ride and handling?
Are the interior parts the same quality
Will the option list be the same
Will the build quality of the factory (Bremen) where it is built with the C class be as high as Sindelfingen where the sedan is built?
WHAT ELSE??
05/19, 10:16 PM
posted by:
maxcar
the E badge prolly weighs more than the C badge because of the little arm thingy in the center.
05/20, 3:48 AM
posted by:
skeee1
I have seen this car in Warsaw Poland at the dealership and it is beautiful. When I get back in the US I have to get one for a beater (everyday car). starting at 48k USD probably 60k USD when you load it up.
In Poland they are running around 80kUSD – 120k USD. I’ll send it over to Poland after 6 months to not pay the import tax.
05/20, 12:20 PM
posted by:
shaver
Shouldnt it be priced more like a C-class then? Seems like a well marketed badge eng job. Regardless, they generally have been smart with their model positioning in the past. But since the insane model prolifieration and the R class mess, I am starting to wonder.