Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe: High on refinement and elegance

I never liked the previous generation Mercedes E-Class. I thought the headlights were a bit wonky and the whole car looked like it was slightly bent. But when I first drove the new E-Class last year I changed my tune.

I love the angular headlamps and the muscular shoulders. It is a truly handsome car. Now, inevitably, there is a sporty two-door version. It looks even better than its sensible saloon brother and in the E500 garb, goes well too.

The 5.5-litre normally aspirated V8 is superb. It doesn't roar or bark when you fire it up, but it does have a deliciously smooth rumble. It is loud enough when its 383-strong cavalry is at full gallop, but it never wants to attract too much attention with over the top histrionics. Although it doesn't feel particularly fast, zero to 100kph in 5.2 seconds isn't half shoddy. Especially since its main rival, the BMW 650i, dispatches the same run in about 5.6 seconds.

The build quality is exemplary and the only shortcoming I could find is the seven-speed automatic gearbox, which never seems to want to play along. There is always a slight hesitation every time you pull a paddle. The 6er's gearbox is much better.

But unlike a noveau riche 650i, the E500 is a car for the sophisticated, maybe slightly mature person. The ride is much better than the 6 Series, but it doesn't affect the handling adversely. In fact, it rides so well you'd be forgiven for thinking that you you're driving the E saloon. And that is my biggest beef with the E500 Coupé — it isn't exciting enough.

A typical Mercedes customer will perhaps fully approve of its understated and softly sprung character, but in my view it goes a bit too far. Although it does have three chassis settings, which sharpen the response and ride, it's not an all-out sports car, even in the hardest mode. If you're looking for a ‘sporty' grand tourer the E500 is hard to fault. But if it's an adrenaline rush you're after, you might want to continue shopping.

Specs & rating