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Mercedes-Benz Coupe Rewarding to Drive, with Generous Trunk SpaceThe new Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe is an elegant four-seater that should have a better fighting stance against the Audi A5 and BMW 3-series than the CLK model it replaces. Sold in V-6 and V-8 configurations, the E-class coupe replaces the CLK line, which had always been just a design stroke away from gorgeous. Pricing for the 268-horsepower, V-6 model begins at $48,925, including the $875 freight charge. With options, the test car was $59,945. The 382-hp, E550 V-8 model starts at $55,525. Both models use a seven-speed Touch Shift automatic transmission. Fuel mileage for the E350 is 17/26 mpg city/highway, with 15/23 for the E550; both use 91 octane fuel. Mercedes launched the new models at close to the same price as the CLK, but with more standard equipment. Added features include a panoramic sunroof and Agility Control suspension system, which is comprised of electronic shock absorbers that adjust automatically to road and driving conditions. Also new and unique to Mercedes-Benz is the standard safety feature of Attention Assist system, which monitors the driver for signs of drowsiness. Mercedes' research found that 25 percent of vehicle accidents worldwide are associated with fatigue — more than drunken driving. The Mercedes-engineered system uses a steering sensor with smart software that monitors more than 70 parameters to learn a driver's behavior in the first 20 minutes of driving. Between 50 and 112 mph, the system identifies erratic steering corrections, which could indicate drowsy reactions. A warning tone will sound and a "Time for a Rest?" message with an espresso-cup icon will illuminate in the instrument cluster. Other safety features include up to 11 air bags, including a standard driver's knee bag and front pelvic air bags. A luxury coupe is a personal reward, and this one is also rewarding to drive with usable trunk space and those ever-so-helpful electric seat-belt extenders to put the clip within comfortable reach. The steering wheel is full-bodied with grips in the right places for proper hand placement to maintain full control. Sightlines are unobstructed and the 35.3-foot turning circle is tighter than the BMW or Audi coupes. The back seats fold to expand the trunk, which has nearly 16 cubic feet of space, also more than the competition. The space is wide with a low liftover for comfortable loading. The cabin is Lexuslike quiet, but it is not isolated from useful road and car communications to the driver. The V-6 performance can be sharp, but the standard Comfort mode was just too relaxed for my preferences. Switching to Sport added some urgency in throttle response, but more would not be too much before having to step up to the V-8. The flowing architecture of the body style is compelling and the panoramic roof creates a light and airy cabin. Mercedes touts the pillarless design, but there are very small pillars at the rear quarter to allow back windows to go down completely. The interior design theme is rich with sophisticated typography and tasteful amounts of polished metal that create a contemporary and classy environment. The backseat area is less posh. But the backseat isn't the focus of a sport coupe. It's all about the driving experience, the comfort and how the owner looks behind the wheel. The new E coupe is worth the long hours to earn this personal reward. Just be sure to get enough sleep. SPECS BOX 2010 Mercedes-Benz E350 coupe Body style: four-passenger, rear-wheel-drive coupe Engine: aluminum, 268-horsepower, DOHC V-6; 258 foot-pounds of torque at 5,000 rpm Transmission: seven-speed automatic with steering wheel shifters Acceleration, 0-60 mph: 6.2 seconds EPA fuel economy estimates: 17 mpg city, 26 highway; 91 octane recommended DIMENSIONS Front head/leg/shoulder room: 40.2/42/54.1 inches Length/wheelbase: 184.9/108.6 inches Curb weight: 3,682 pounds FEATURES Standard equipment includes: leather upholstery, 14-way power adjustable front seats with four-way lumbar and memory presents, electric seat-belt extenders, dual-zone automatic climate control, SmartKey and push-button starting, hand-polished burl-walnut trim, split-folding back seat, power tilt-sliding panorama sunroof, eight-speaker audio system with CD-Bluetooth-digital audio, central Comand controller with 7-inch screen, multifunction three-spoke steering wheel, 235/45 R 17-inch tires and alloy wheels Safety features include: nine air bags (including driver knee bag and front pelvic bags), Attention Assist drowsiness monitor, rollover sensor, active front head restraints, ESP stability and traction controls, power assisted four-wheel discs with ABS and emergency-sensing Brake Assist PRICING Base: $48,925, including $875 freight charge; price as tested, $59,945 Options on test car: Palladium silver paint, $720; black premium leather, $1,350; Tele Aid, $650 Premium package, $6,350, includes COMAND with 40GB hard drive GPS navigation, real-time traffic data, voice control, 6GB Music Register, Harman/Kardon Logic7 surround sound audio system, HD radio, Sirius satellite radio, iPod/MP3 media interface, power rear window sunshade, rearview camera, heated and active ventilated front seats, Bi-Xenon headlights with active curve illumination, adaptive high beam assist, LED daytime running lamps, LED front turn signals, headlamp washers, Keyless Go unlocking and push button ignition Appearance Package, $1,950, includes 18-inch AMG twin six-spoke wheels, Agility Control sport suspension, perforated front brake discs, pedals with rubber studs, multicontour front seats, gearshift paddles, all-season tires
Mark Maynard is driving in cyberspace at mark.Maynard@uniontrib.com. COPYRIGHT 2009 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. DISTRIBUTED BY CREATORS.COM. 
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