See The Restyled 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class And E53 AMG Coupe And Convertible Models

Mercedes-Benz has spread out its mid-cycle facelift for the E-Class with the presentation of the 2021 sedan, wagon and All Terrain Wagon in March this year being followed today by the unveiling of the long teased Coupe and Convertible models in both regular and E53 AMG forms.

It’s nothing groundbreaking with the revised two-door variants sporting minor exterior and interior styling tweaks, new technologies and updated powertrain offerings.

The exterior design changes

Mercedes has a good thing going with the E-Class Coupe and Convertible, as admittedly, both are some of the most elegant looking proposals in the market. As such, there was no reason to ruin a successful formula with deep styling cuts. The most noticeable changes are the newly shaped grille and crispier light treatments on both ends, with the nose looking more upright this time around.

There are four new paint colors too, named Cirrus Silver Metallic, Graphite Grey Metallic, Mojave Silver Metallic and designo Patagonia Red Metallic. The wheel line-up has also been expanded and now includes aerodynamic wheels that are claimed to improve fuel efficiency.

The sportier AMG 53 replace the standard model’s diamond-style grille pattern for a ‘Panamericana’ grille with 12 vertical slats, with additional touches including the four round exhaust pipes, a discrete boot lid spoiler and bespoke 19-inch wheels.

New tech inside

As with the facelifted sedan and wagon E-Class models, the Coupe and Convertible bodystyles get an array of tech improvements inside starting with the latest MBUX operating system with two screens, either 10.25-inches or 12.3-inches (the latter is standard on all variants in North America) arranged side-by-side. The infotaintment system also ditches the scroll wheel adopting the same flat touchpad as other models.

The standard E450 pictured above, the E53 AMG below

A highlight of the Coupe and Convertible is the entirely new, intelligent steering wheel with capacitive hands-off detection that’s available both in regular form and a sportier flat-bottom version for the AMG and AMG Line models. It includes a two-zone sensor inside the rim that detects whether or not your hands are holding the wheel. This allows the assistance systems to automatically know who’s in control of the vehicle. Furthermore, the functions of the instrument cluster and media display are operated using touch controls, which have been improved from optical to capacitive.

Another new addition for 2021 is the adaptive driver’s seat adjustment that allows you to enter your height on the media display or through an app with the system then automatically moving into a position generally suitable for someone of that height, which then only needs to be fine-tuned by the driver.

What engines are offered in North America?

At launch, the 2021 E-Class Coupe and Convertible range will be a 3.0-liter inline-six affair only with two available models: the E450 and E53 AMG (see the sedan and wagon here), both of which benefit from EQ Boost, a 48-volt hybrid system with an integrated starter-generator to improve fuel economy and provide a brief boost in power. Available in both rear-wheel and 4MATIC all-wheel drive variants paired to a 9sp automatic, the E450 is rated at 360 hp and 369 lb-ft of peak torque with an additional electrical boost of up to 21 hp and as much as 184 lb-ft of torque.

In the E53 AMG that comes as standard with the variable AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive, the straight-six produces 429 hp and 384 lb-ft with the EQ Boost system temporarily adding up to 21 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.

As with the pre-facelift model, a full-blown E63 AMG version will not be offered.

And what about Europe?

Across the pond, buyers will get a much wider array of engine choices, including two diesels and three petrols at launch, ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 liters in displacement and from 194 to 367 hp in power. You can see the UK range below.

Sales start later this year

Prices have yet to be announced but Mercedes’ said we’ll know closer to the launch date that is expected this fall in Europe and before the end of the year in North America.