Designed with performance in mind, the Shs250m E-Class Coupés engine is rated to handle speeds of up to 260 km/h. PHOTO/ROLAND D NASASIRA
During my 2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé test drive, I appreciated how fast car technology has evolved, especially how vehicles now communicate with drivers. Most of the features in the Coupé are user-friendly and easy to interact with, even for someone new to the model. My test drive started at Quality Shopping Mall in Naalya, Kampala, on a Saturday June 7, at 10am, when traffic had noticeably reduced. Before even driving out of the mall’s parking lot, the dashboard's smart screen displayes a warning that I was about to start my journey on reserve fuel. Almost immediately, another message pops up asking whether I wanted to search for the nearest fuel station.
These messages appeared on two 4.5-inch digital screens, one positioned behind the steering wheel for the driver and another in the centre of the dashboard, accessible to both driver and front passenger. The seat adjustment in the E-Class Coupé is unlike what you find in most vehicles, where levers or handles are positioned under the seat or to the side. Here, you adjust the seat by pressing buttons located on the door next to the window controls and the central lock keypad. These buttons allow you to move the seat forward, tilt it backwards or forward, and find a comfortable position with ease.
The Coupé also comes with seat memory for three drivers, which is particularly useful if the car is shared among family members or colleagues. More impressive is that the seats are air-cooled. If the car has been parked in the sun, the remote key can be used to open the sunroof and windows, allowing hot air to escape before you enter. This adds a layer of convenience that suits Uganda’s hot climate quite well.
Effortless power
Once you start the car, the engine comes to life almost silently. Designed with performance in mind, the E-Class Coupé’s engine is rated to handle speeds of up to 260 km/h. As I joined the Northern Bypass heading towards Kisaasi and Busega, the Coupé accelerated from 0 to 50 km/h in just three seconds and reached 100 km/h in only 4.5 seconds. It is the kind of speed that demands a driver’s full attention, rendering distracted driving, such as using a phone, nearly impossible. Fortunately, when the phone is connected via Bluetooth, calls and music can be controlled easily through the car’s system. Instead of looking down at the speedometer, drivers can use the heads-up display projected onto the windscreen to monitor speed and other driving data, allowing their eyes to stay on the road.
Between the driver and the co-driver is a wide console with multiple features. From here, you can control internal settings such as ambient lighting. The car also allows you to customise the lighting to your preferred colour, adding a personal touch to the cabin’s mood. The console also has a knob for selecting different driving modes; eco, comfort, sport, sport plus, and individual. Each mode comes with visual blueprints that appear on the screen to show the changes taking place within the vehicle. When sport mode is selected, for example, the car lowers its suspension for a firmer grip on the road. Gear engagements are more responsive and aggressive, enhancing performance.
However, it is worth noting that this mode consumes more fuel than the others, especially when compared to eco mode, which is designed for fuel efficiency. The car features four air conditioning vents in the middle of the dashboard, just below the central screen. There is one vent each for the driver and co-driver, and two additional vents positioned behind the centre console for rear passengers. Remarkably, all the seats, including the rear ones, are air-cooled, a rare feature in many cars.
Under the hood
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé runs on a 3.0-litre engine that produces 330 horsepower, and it can be tuned to almost 400 horsepower. This is the same engine used in the Mercedes-AMG 43, giving the Coupé a performance edge. It also shares other features with AMG models, such as the original, high-quality leather AMG seats. Another clever feature is the seatbelt buckle. If the seatbelt is far from your shoulder, pressing a button pulls it closer, making it easy to grab and wear. Meanwhile, the smart screen gives a 360-degree live camera feed of the vehicle’s surroundings, providing a sense of safety and spatial awareness, particularly when parking or driving in tight spaces.
Ground clearance
One of the features I liked most is the button that raises the car’s ground clearance. Thanks to its air-matic suspension system, the vehicle can rise or lower depending on the terrain, which allows the Coupé to handle bumps or potholes with grace, offering remarkable ground clearance. Whether you are navigating city streets or slightly rougher rural roads, this feature is a lifesaver. One noticeable design feature of the E-Class Coupé is the absence of a B-pillar; the vertical support that separates the front and rear doors.
This gives the cabin a more open and spacious feel when the doors are opened. The dashboard is wrapped in leather and accented with a black wooden trim that, while it may resemble plastic at a glance, is elegant and easy to clean. The only drawback I noted is that for rear passengers to enter or exit the car, the front seats must first be reclined forward. However, this is a small price to pay for a sleek, two-door Coupé that prioritises design and aerodynamics.
Maintenance, market value
Richard Kakembo, a mechanic based in Germany, says longevity for a car such as this requires discipline in service and maintenance. “If the car is due for service, use a trusted garage or dealership and avoid stretching it beyond the recommended mileage on the service manual just because it has not broken down yet. Use the right oil grades and the right amount from trusted suppliers,” he advises. Mujib Tusuubira, a car dealer at mujibexotics.com, says the E-Class Coupé is priced at Shs160m, inclusive of taxes.
On the local market, prices may vary depending on mileage, engine type, and features such as 4WD or AMG tuning, with some units costing up to Shs250m. My ride in the E-Class Coupé proved just how much technology and thoughtful engineering can improve the driving experience. It is a car that offers luxury, comfort, and a surprising dose of performance, without feeling intimidating. For anyone considering an upgrade to a premium vehicle that blends elegance with user-friendly features, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupé ticks all the right boxes.
