Mercedes E-Class Coupe E400d 3.0 330 Aln Ned Premium Plus Auto 4MATIC

The sixth generation Mercedes E-Class Coupe became sleeker and more stylish than ever in this C238-series form, while dialling up the desirability, aiming to offer a slightly larger, more sophisticated and arguably more prestigious approach to Executive coupe motoring than obvious competitors. Launched in 2017, it did so with a more efficient engine for the volume version, plus astonishing technology and comfort that made original buyers question the need for a larger, more expensive full-Luxury segment coupe model.

With this sixth generation E-Class Coupe, Mercedes made greater efforts to differentiate the driving experience from that of the Saloon. So the track is wider at the front and the rear than it was in the previous generation model and there's a 15mm lower ride height. Both were changes intended to make this car feel more planted through corners that might also see you noticing the slightly stiffer damping. In addition, the variable ratio steering was sharpened a little in comparison to the set-up used in the Saloon, in an attempt to make it feel more direct. It wasn't quite enough to make this car feel as responsive as pricier versions of slightly smaller coupe models like the BMW 4 Series and the Audi A5: there's more body lean and less steering feel than you'd get in cars of that kind. Still, specced correctly, this E-Class Coupe can still be quite rewarding to drive and through fast, flowing bends, has as fine a chassis balance as you could wish for. And of course for high speed motorway mileage, this car feels peerlessly refined and relaxed. Under the bonnet, most buyers will choose the 2.0-litre 194bhp four cylinder diesel powerplant that features in the entry-level E220d variant. It's not quite as refined as we'd ideally like, but it's a responsive and efficient unit, capable of 61.4mpg on the combined cycle and 119g/km of CO2 (NEDC figures). 4MATIC 4WD was optional. Hardly anyone chose the petrol-powered four cylinder alternative, the 2.0-litre turbocharged 245bhp E300 model, only offered in standard rear-driven form. There may though, be quite a lot of interest in trading up to one of the V6 versions, both of which were only offered in 4MATIC guise. There were two options at this level, the 258bhp E350d diesel and the 333bhp E400 petrol model. In both cases, there's standard 'AIR BODY CONTROL' air suspension system (which was optional on the four cylinder derivatives). This set-up can be fine-tuned via the various settings of the 'DYNAMIC SELECT' driving modes system that influences throttle response, steering feedback and the reactions of the standard silky-smooth 9G-TRONIC PLUS nine-speed automatic gearbox that all E-Class Coupe models had to have.