Mercedes: Coupe with the new attitude

Love it or loathe it, there's no denying Mercedes' latest E-class has a stronger look than the cap-and-slippers aura of old. That new attitude is strongest in this coupe.

Angular front lights replace its predecessor's owlish spectacles, and there's a longer, lower profile with pronounced haunches. The press car's lines have been further embellished by the AMG sports package, which adds front and rear aprons and side skirts, unique wheels and sports suspension. Plus $7300 to the standard car's $139,900 price.

Forget borrowing from C-class, the coupe has gone up-market. It's based largely on the E-class sedan, sharing underpinnings and basic dash architecture.

Beneath the bonnet there's a 3.5-litre, 235kW/365Nm V6 engine mated to a seven-speed auto that sends power to the rear wheels, for a zero to 100 time of 6.3 seconds. That's not bad considering its 1670kg heft.

Why so heavy? It's packed to the gunwales with tech goodies.

It's got the lane-keep assist, blind-spot assist and cruise control that automatically holds a following distance. It's got a pre-crash system which primes the brakes and airbags for likely impact, and brakes which dry themselves when it's wet.

The headlights corner as you do, and the car even sounds an alarm if it thinks you're drowsy.

Not that you're likely to fall asleep, for this coupe is not just comfortable - it's fun to drive. The engine is smooth and responsive, keen to make the most of a good chassis and a suspension tuned to a sporting flavour, with unique spring and damper rates, and speed-sensitive sport steering courtesy that AMG pack.

Body control is excellent, there's good grip and minimal understeer, which makes this coupe a rewarding drive.

Rewarding, but not mind-blowing, for this is not a sports car. It's a finely blended compromise between comfort and performance flavour.

Concessions are few - the boot's roomy and the rear seats comfy. But the seamlessly powerful engine is barely heard inside the cosseting cabin.

Sat low in these unique seats, with their adjustable side bolsters and seat squabs, you expect a bit of a monster despite the elegant aura. The AMG mats that are part of the sports package virtually promise it.

That it didn't actually deliver AMG's peculiar blend of automotive insanity won't be a problem for those seeking a handsome and luxurious coupe which delivers a hard-to-beat blend of driving fun and everyday practicality.

I'd love to try the V8, or an AMG variant. Bus I suspect this six-cyclinder car would be easier to live with.

Mercedes E350 coupe

We like
Compromise between luxurious comfort and sporting feel, all the clever tech

We don't like
Engine lacks character

Powertrain
3498cc V6, 215kW at 6400rpm, 365Nm at 3000-510rpm, seven-speed 7G-tronic auto drives rear wheels

Performance
0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, 8.5l/100km (claimed)

Safety
Seven airbags, ABS, stability and traction control, pre-safe prime brakes and airbags

What it's got
Drowsiness detector, advanced cruise control,heated front seats, climate control, satnav and much more