2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

Next up, Mercedes-Benz replaces its CLK-Class Coupe with the slightly larger 2010 E-Class Coupe - the E350 and the E550.  The move is more than just a clean-up of nomenclature.  Benz is making room at the lower-end of its line for the eventual arrival of a C-Class Coupe.

With the chassis hardware drawn from both the E and C, the new coupe shares the finely-drawn lines and elegant styling of the E-Class four-door.

Upfront is an artfully simplified grille that flows into a clamshell hood.  The E-Coupe’s flowing profile is then defined by a pillarless greenhouse.

The four-seat cabin layout is a sportier version of the E-Class Sedan. Changes include a great looking 5-gauge cluster, and a center-console gear shift versus the sedan’s column mounted switch.

Standard is the rotary COMAND system to control all things techno, along with a panoramic sunroof.

Seats are supportive all the way around, and the trunk is larger than that of the CLK.

Like the sedan, safety is augmented with Attention Assist. If steering wheel sensors indicate the driver is falling asleep, an obnoxious alarm goes off.

Power for the E-Coupe comes from a pair of familiar engines; a 3.5-liter 268-horsepower V6 for the E350, or a 5.5-liter 382-horsepower V8 for the E550.  Both tie to a standard 7-speed auto.

The E350 has Agility Control automatic shock damping. The E550 we drove at the Las Vegas preview had the Dynamic Handling suspension with sport mode. We were impressed with its response and roll control, being exceptionally balanced at high-speeds.

The E350 coupe starts around $49,000, while the E550 coupe begins just over $55,000. Both will hit showrooms in late June.