One expression rapidly reaching its ‘sell by’ date is ‘the new normal’ – we know things have changed, we have changed and now we get on with it and, this includes new vehicle launches.

It is much harder to inhale the atmosphere of a significant new model launch while sitting alone staring at a computer screen but, and likely because of what they are, the launch of the new Mercedes-Benz E Class Coupé and Cabriolet, especially the E53 AGM 4Matic still managed to accelerate the pulse.

Tobias Moers, chairman of Mercedes-AMG, says: “Following the saloon and estate, our new E 53 4Matic+ models also offer a perfect synthesis of performance, elegance, and comfort as a coupé and cabriolet.

“With specific measures on the exterior and in the interior, we have re-sharpened the brand identity somewhat, and we are continuing to drive forward the revision of our entire E-Class family successively.”

Styling has been sportily honed with the front sections, in particular, being given a fresh look. The all-LED headlamps have been given flatter housings, while the interior of the LED tail lights has been reworked.

At the same time the two-door models take on the key upgrade features of the other body variants as part of the facelift. These include electrified, and therefore more efficient, petrol as well as diesel engines with integrated starter-alternator, the next generation of driving assistance systems and the infotainment system MBUX infotainment system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience).

The E-Class Cabriolet with the classic fabric top offers spaciousness and comfort on long journeys for up to four people – and does so all year round with the optional AIRCAP electric draught-stop system and AIRSCARF neck-level heating.

The design modifications and more dynamic impression comes courtesy of flatter headlamps which, even in the entry-level models, feature all-LED technology. The inner workings of these LED High Performance headlamps are quite exceptional. Among the hallmark Mercedes-Benz design features are the torch-flame effect and two unlit pins. With the optionally available MULTIBEAM LED headlamps, the latter are lit.

Inside, the upper section of the dashboard appears to hover and rests on trim elements that flow through into the doors. New-look trim options – open-pore grey ash wood and aluminium with light carbon-fibre grain – serve to enhance the interior.

The adaptive driver’s seat adjustment is offers enhanced intelligence and when the height of the body is entered on the media display or via’ Mercedes me’, the seat automatically moves into a position generally suitable for someone of that height, which then only needs to be fine-tuned by the driver.

The new E-Class has the latest generation of Mercedes-Benz driving assistance systems and the hands-off detection feature of the steering wheel now works on a capacitive basis meaning, to inform the assistance systems the driver still has control of the E-Class, it is enough for the driver to hold the steering wheel. Steering torque – that is to say a slight steering movement – was previously required as feedback in order for this to happen.

As standard, the E-Class comes with Active Brake Assist, which in many situations is able to use autonomous braking to prevent a collision or mitigate its severity. The system is also able to brake for stationary vehicles and crossing pedestrians at typical city speeds and even to prevent collisions, depending on the situation. As part of the Driving Assistance Package, this is now also possible when turning off across the oncoming lane.

The new E-Class is equipped with the latest generation of the MBUX multimedia system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience). As standard, it includes two large 10,25-inch screens arranged side by side and two 12,3 inch screens are optionally available.

The information in the instrument cluster and on the media display is easily legible on the high-resolution screens. An emotive presentation with brilliant graphics underlines the comprehensibility of the intuitive control structure.

In conjunction with’ Mercedes me’, the two packages Urban Guard Vehicle Protection and Urban Guard Vehicle Protection Plus enable all-round monitoring of the parked vehicle. Urban Guard comprises an anti-theft alarm system, tow-away protection with visual and audible warning in the case of a detected change in position, an alarm siren, interior monitoring (triggers in the case of movements in the interior) as well as a preinstallation for theft and parking collision detection.

In the case of the latter, the vehicle sensors register when the parked and locked vehicle is bumped or towed or when someone attempts to break into the vehicle. If the service is active, the driver receives detailed information via the ‘Mercedes me’ app.

The new two-door models also see the top version of the four-cylinder diesel engine (OM 654 M), rated at 195 kW, fitted for the first time with an integrated starter-alternator (ISG). It therefore has a 48-volt on-board partial electrical system. A recuperation function and the ability to ‘glide’ with the engine switched off make the engine even more efficient.

The 48-volt technology with ISG is also a feature of the in-line six-cylinder petrol engine (M 256), now available for the first time in the E-Class. As with the Saloon, Estate and All-Terrain models, this unit has now been added to the engine line-up for the two-door models.

A unit that is already familiar from the CLS, S-Class and GLE, its electrical boost of up to 16 kW and as much as 250 Nm reinforces the character of both the Coupé and the Cabriolet.

Further technical development for the OM 654 four-cylinder diesel engine is an integrated starter-alternator. Along with electrification, which also includes the use of an electric refrigerant compressor for the air-conditioning system, the these allow an output of up to 195 kW plus an additional 15 kW from the EQ Boost system:

A new crankshaft increases the stroke to 94 mm and the displacement to 1 993 cc (previously: 92.3 and 1 950) and the injection pressure is increased to 2 700 bar (previously: 2 500)

The line-up of diesel engines is completed by the in-line six-cylinder unit (OM 656), which is also available for the two-door models in conjunction with the all-wheel drive system 4MATIC.

Mercedes-AMG’s 53 range implements electric power to accompany to the internal combustion engine and the turbo-charged 3,0-litre six-cylinder unit, develops 320 kW and 520 Nm. The additional electric compressor produces an extra 16 kW and 250 Nm, bringing total system output to 336 kW and 770 Nm.

Power is sent to all four wheels via the all-wheel-drive system, which allows for a 0-100 km/h time of 4,4 seconds. The 4Matic+ system also allows for drive to be sent to only the rear wheels. Top speed is rated at 250 km/h but increases to 270 km/h with the optional AMG Driver’s Package.

The 9G-TRONIC transmission has also been further developed to accommodate the second-generation ISG and is being used, in a first step, with the four-cylinder ISG engine. The electric motor, the power electronics and the transmission cooler have now moved into or onto the transmission.

Some deliciousness here….