There’s no replacement for displacement. Or so the old saying goes. Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic Coupe is the living example that old proverbs are no longer fit in our day and age. Car&Driver magazine agrees.
Propelled by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V-6, the E400 is capable of cracking the five-second barrier in the benchmark sprint, Sending every ounce of its 329 horsepower and 354 lb-ft to all four wheels.
True, the E400 may seem a little tame compared with its AMG cousins. But 4.9 seconds to 60 is pretty darn quick, and if that’s not quite good enough the E-class coupe also has the option of a 4.7-liter twin-turbo V-8 in the rear-drive-only E550, adding 73 horsepower to the equation (as well as about six grand to the base price of a rear-drive E400).
The E400’s dynamic virtues lie elsewhere. At just over two tons with 4MATIC all-wheel drive it proves not only more agile than you’d think, but also blessed with a surprisingly high set of cornering limits. All the more impressive given the civilized ride quality.
All merits go to the Agility Control suspension system featuring dampers that adapt according to what the driver is doing with the car and contributes to the coupe’s composure in fast action. Braking performance of 157 feet from 70 mph is also laudable with never a hint of fade. Understeer in hard cornering is“mild,” a welcome failsafe.
Ahile’s heel is still the seven-speed automatic. Response to paddle-shift inputs is relaxed, maybe too relaxed. The electromechanical rack-and-pinion power steering is not better, either. With virtually no feedback flowing through its veins, especially at low speeds it feels out of place in a coupe of E 400’s stature. Yes, the feeling does rise at higher speeds, but actual tactile information is still missing in action. What a pitty.
Fortunately, in true Mercedes fashion, the E400 is very quiet and extremely comfortable in operation. The snug, rather cramped back seat is a very minor quibble in light of the serenely luxurious interior, swathed in soft nappa-leather and black/beige decor with silver accents. The price is just as true to Mercedes’ tradition. At $70,075, the Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic Coupe is definitely aimed at those with ample pockets. The options list alone is worth $13,300. Ouch!
For the full review and verdict head over to Car&Driver.
Source: Car&Driver
