 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Coupe 4Matic. Click image to enlarge |
Review and Photos by Jeff Wilson
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is and has been a lot of things to a lot of people. To some, it’s nothing more than the stodgy taxi cabs all over German cities. To others it could be an avant garde station wagon, suitably sized for a contemporary partner couple to transport their prize-winning Weimaraners to the dog show. An E-Class cabriolet is the perfect choice for countless Beverly Hills trophy wives in which to head out for a day of shopping and being seen. And of course in roaring V8 AMG form, the E-class is a businessman’s hooligan muscle car with cachet.
For all of these applications, Mercedes-Benz’s mid-sized sedan is generally regarded as a solidly built, handsome machine. Thanks to its coveted three-point logo, it’s also a symbol of moderate wealth (taxis not withstanding) but one with very conservative – if sometimes awkward – styling. In fact, their sedate appearance has been almost as much a defining quality of the E-Class as its reputation for longevity.
Until now.
For 2014, Mercedes-Benz has re-skinned the E-Class in the interest of keeping it fresh, familiar in appearance to other new Benzes, and perhaps most importantly, to appeal to a younger demographic who might otherwise consider a flashier Audi or BMW. In coupe form as tested here, the new E-Class is an absolute looker – something I never thought I’d hear myself say, but there it is. It’s the sort of car that makes school drop-offs and pick-ups a little more fun as you catch the envying glances from teachers and other parents. And isn’t image a large part of why someone chooses a stylish personal luxury coupe like this?
   2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Coupe 4Matic. Click image to enlarge |
During its week-long stay with me, “my” E 350 Coupe caught the admiring eye of many a passerby, not to mention my own over-the-shoulder glimpse every time I parked it and walked away. Finished in Obsidian Black, the light catches the many chrome accents and sinuous body lines – especially the lovely, sweeping arc over the rear wheel wells – to showcase a far sexier car than the E-Class has ever been before.
 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Coupe 4Matic. Click image to enlarge |
With optional AMG Sport Package, the handsome parallel five-spoke wheels and single striker bar (in coupes and convertibles only) across the grille complement the deep V-shaped front end and aggressive chin spoiler for an all-round mean-looking package. And where the taller, longer sedan is not quite as harmonious in its styling treatment, the B-pillar-less and notably lower coupe roofline makes even the basic E-Class coupe look like a much more exclusive machine than its $62,000 cost of entry would suggest.
Inside, the E-Class coupe continues its handsomely aggressive styling – in this case with seats finished in rich “Natural Beige” leather. Again, as part of the must-have AMG Sport Package, the seats are not only handsome to behold, but fantastic to be held by. With more adjustability than a Craftmatic bed, these thrones ensure long-distance comfort no matter how misshapen your body might be. Even the back seats are sculpted and styled to highlight the 2+2 accommodations and are reasonably spacious for a coupe.
    2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Coupe 4Matic. Click image to enlarge |
As part of the Premium Package option, the E 350 is equipped with a LOGIC-7 Surround Sound Harman/Kardon audio system that sounds simply magnificent. Within a cockpit as insulated from the noise of the outside world as the Benz is, new instruments shall be heard in your favourite music. Better still, lyrics misheard in the past shall become clearer (did you know Jagger is actually singing, “I’ll never be your beast of burden” and not “I’ll never leave your pizza burnin’”? Go figure, eh?).
 2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Coupe 4Matic. Click image to enlarge |
The now-ubiquitous Mercedes-Benz 3.5L V6 that can be had in anything from a C-Class compact through to a mid-size ML SUV is located under the hood of the E 350 as well. It doles out 302 naturally aspirated horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, and although it is down on torque compared to its BMW rival (and both horsepower and torque compared to the Audi S5), the engine is smooth and quiet in the E-Class with a subtle, remote snarl under heavy load.
