2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 4MATIC Coupe

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MERCEDES-BENZ E450 4MATIC COUPE REVIEW

In a time where cars are slowly going the way of the Dodo bird, the Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Coupe is an attempt by the automaker to put on the brakes, whether they need to or not.

In fact, it just might be perfection on four wheels. Now in its fifth-generation, it is second, technologically, only to the Mercedes’ S-Class flagship. And that is saying a lot.

Is this just a lot of puffery? Read on for more.

THE SHARP EDGES ARE GONE

Following a restyling in 2017, the new Mercedes-Benz E-class reappeared on the scene, getting rid of the sharp edges that had carried the automotive design world for the past decade or so. It’s a new look that offers a softer, more rounded look that broadens out the shoulders and makes for a more massive appearance overall.

The new 2019 Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Coupe is a two-door, four-passenger sport coupe that actually has an inhabitable rear seat.

 

 

It helps to round out the E-Class lineup that includes a full-sized sedan, this sport coupe, a cabriolet and very accommodating station wagon. Or shooting brake, as it’s known on the other side of the pond. And that doesn’t even include the Diesel or AMG variants. That means it can be ordered with everything from a 241 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine to a 630 horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 engine.

In the case of our tester, it is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 362 horsepower, 3.0-liter V6.

Along with all that horsepower is 369 lb-ft of torque that propels the Coupe from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds. We’re still poo-pooing the electronically limited 130 mile per hour top speed, because we know it will do better. But in its current form, this coupe is still a beast.

The E450 4Matic Coupe rides on an independent multi-link suspension with Air Body Control air suspension to change the shock firmness instantaneously for an optimized ride.

The twin-turbo V6 which now has 33 more horsepower than the previous edition, sends its power to an ultra-slick 9-G-TRONIC 9-speed automatic transmission. From there, the 4Matic all-wheel-drive system sends power to all four corners of the E450. Finally, our sampler takes advantage of the Parking Assistance Package ($1,290) and the Driver Assistance Package ($2,250) with Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC, Active Steering Assist, Active Lang Change Assist, Active Emergency Stop Assist, Active Speed Limit Assist, Active Brake Assist with cross-traffic, Evasive Steering Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Pre-Safe Plus and route-based speed adaptation. It’s like autonomous driving, one step removed, because the driver must keep hands on the wheel at all times.

COUPED UP, but not really.

The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Coupe takes its inspiration from the big-brother S-Class behemoth.

 

It includes a race-inspired steering wheel with multifunction controls that will hopefully never cause you to lift from there. Speedo and tachometer gauges peer out from the driver’s instrument panel, with a central TFT screen that displays directions, audio choices, service intervals and more. To the right of the gauges is a large 12.3-inch TFT display screen that is high-definition and shows parking displays from four corners, the audio system, climate control and even the seats massaging functions. Operate them from the console-mounted controller or by the tiny chicklets on either side of the steering wheel. After using them we came to the conclusion they were too small to prevent any sort of distractions while operating them.

 

Two Multicontour front seats operate like those found in the S-Class in that they offer heating and ventilation as well as everything down to Shiatsu and energizing massage options. Driving during a hot, sticky day? Just flip on the cooling switch to feel a steady stream of cool air circulating from underneath you. The rear seat is actually able to accommodate two passengers with adequate legroom for the long haul. Despite its easy access functionality, it may still require a tiny bit of contortionism to get you inside.

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE

 

Featuring the new diamond faced grille of the Mercedes-Benz brand, the new E450 4Matic Coupe offers a cleaner look than what it had before the current refresh. While that one was characterized by sharply creased sheetmetal, this new model is as smooth as a pebble washed over by a stream for the past hundred years. Forget about that. It was smooth as silk. Skip that one, too. Let’s say as smooth as a baby’s bottom. Flowing to a fault, it shows a new design language that will be moving through the M-B lineup in the years to come.

 

The overall look has a sexy rake that comes from a lowered, swept back profile that looks like it’s moving even though it is in repose. LED lighting helps to contemporize the view, both front and rear, giving it a very unique look. From the side view, the windows are pillar-less and present a wide-opened expanse once lowered. Our only fault is the low positioning of the front fascia/spoiler, which never met a parking block it didn’t like. Take our advice and use the parking camera in front to gently guide your way into a spot.

DRIVE TIME.

Behind the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz E450 4Matic Coupe, it’s a clear case of “Beauty and the Beast.” The Beauty lies in the sinewy flowing body that’s low-slung and definitely enhanced by the stylish rake. Add to that, the Beast of a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 that runs like a hybrid around town, but wakes up when squeezing the accelerator. The result is a screaming team of banshees that pass cars in a blink of an eye.

We changed around the Dynamic Select control which offers settings ranging from ECO, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual, which allows you to mix and match your settings ranging from a firm suspension to a throttle control to auto start/stop settings, transmission shift points and other parameters.

 

After a while of driving around in the various modes we reverted back to the ever-popular comfort setting which actually offered a great degree of car control without undue harshness.

We did disengage the Auto Start/Stop mode though, because of its excessive intrusion. Perhaps it was just our sample, but it offered a fair degree of herky-jerky motion when shutting off, then turning back on once the brake pedal was released.

Once we were set where we wanted to be, the Mercedes E450 took off with confidence that should be standard in any vehicle. And to think: This is considered a luxury car. Wheel-mounted alloy paddle shifter levers allowed us to channel our inner Lewis Hamilton for a thrill while diving down into a turn only to accelerate when coming out the other side. At the end of our journey, the only thing missing from this ride was the winner’s trophy and the Champagne.

MERCEDES-BENZ E450 4MATIC COUPE

Type:                                   Two-door, four-passenger coupe

Chassis:                              Steel Unibody with aluminum outer skin

Engine:                                3.0-liter V6 Biturbo

Horsepower:                      362 horsepower @ 5,500-6,000 rpm

Torque:                               369 lb-ft @ 1,800-4,500 rpm

Transmission:                    9G-Tronic 9-speed automatic transmission

Drive:                                   4MATIC all-wheel-drive

Length:                                190.0 inches

Wheelbase:                        113.1 inches

Width:                                  73.1 inches

Height:                                 56.7 inches

 

 

 

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