You may have seen various reports earlier this week concerning the underpinnings of the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The thrust of the story was the claim that the new midsize coupe was actually built on the smaller C-Class platform instead of the larger, more expensive E-Class sedan architecture.
According to Mercedes-Benz that's not entirely accurate. In a carefully worded statement sent to the media yesterday, Mercedes says that the E-Class coupe shares "more than 60% of its components and technology with the E-Class sedan." It goes on to state that like all luxury manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz "harvests the best of our engineering and technology from across the product portfolio to ensure new models deliver a unique Mercedes-Benz customer driving experience."
So there you have it. The E-Class coupe isn't built on the C-Class platform, but there's a good chance that it shares various technologies with the smaller sedan. At least according to Mercedes-Benz.
cruiserhead1 says:
08:30 AM, 05/21/09
**Mercedes says that the E-Class coupe shares "more than 60% of its components and technology with the E-Class sedan."**
That is skirting the question with a b.s. response.
components and technology does not equal E-class platform. This could still be a C-class platform with a lot of E-class "components".
cheslin says:
09:02 AM, 05/21/09
The entire suspension and drivetrain is E-Class. Some underpinnings are C-class, such as wheelbase, but the way the vehicle is constructed is much closer to an E than a C- that's with me having seen the new E sedan, coupe, and a C-class all up on lifts at MB's training center. From underneath it looks more like a shorter E-class than a C-class.
cruiserhead1 says:
11:57 AM, 05/21/09
suspension and drivetrain. That is not the platform.
Wheelbase is not an "underpinning", it's a measurement.
Why is Mercedes being so cryptic about it? The only answer is that it is based on the C-class platform.
From Mercedes press release, I gather 40% of the components are C class and since they dodged the platform question all together, assume the platform is a modified C class.
altimadude00 says:
12:29 PM, 05/21/09
The bigger question is...Does it really matter?
For the typical buyer, it doesn't.
chavis10 says:
12:37 PM, 05/21/09
C-class platform for E class money? Sounds like a rip off to me.
cruiserhead1 says:
01:14 PM, 05/21/09
obviously it does matter to Mercedes, who is probably scared of the coupe image and resale valuation.
Enjoying Lexus being called expensive Toyotas, they probably want to avoid the "overpriced C class" label.
billt9 says:
01:16 PM, 05/21/09
So how does this matter?
It'll only matter in what the Full Test performance numbers show, plus squeaks and rattles.
cruiserhead1 says:
01:23 PM, 05/21/09
it doesn't matter really. Only curious why Mercedes is making it an issue- it obviously matters to them.
If it is based off the C class, maybe it should be a C class coupe. Thus, they probably don't want this debate to kill the image of this car.
cruiserhead1 says:
01:25 PM, 05/21/09
additionally, yeah it might bother me that it is 20% content away from being a C-class I ponied up MSRP for a E-Class Coupe...
I think this is the thinking Mercedes is trying to stop.