2011 Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe

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In particular, a graceful line follows each rear wheel well and shapes the muscular contours of the rear fenders. While the car looks futuristic, aficionados might recognize styling cues as a modern interpretation of the famous "Ponton Mercedes" of the 1950s.

With "frameless" doors, standard panorama roof and a pillarless profile, the coupe features an airy, uninterrupted expanse that extends from the front windshield to the rear window whenever the front and rear side windows are fully lowered. At the rear, the Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe sports sharply angled LED taillights as well as a center brake light integrated in the trunk lid.

The 2011 E550 Coupe comes with shift paddles mounted to the three-spoke sport steering wheel and sport body styling that includes a deeper front air dam, side skirts and rear apron. The Mercedes-Benz E550 also has standard perforated brake discs, 18-inch AMG alloy wheels, painted calipers and Dynamic Handling suspension.

A Sophisticated Interior, Too

Mercedes-Benz designers paid careful attention to the interior, to ensure that every surface is appealing in form, color and material. The cockpit features five analog gauges, including two pairs that overlap each other, as well as a leather-wrapped three-spoke multifunction steering wheel and console-mounted shift lever with TouchShift.

Also standard is a new COMAND system featuring a large 7-inch color display screen with a standard in-dash, six-disc CD/DVD changer and a Bluetooth interface that allows a phone still in a pocket or purse to be operated through the car's audio system. Using a console-mounted controller, the central display in the dash can be operated by either the driver or front passenger.

The COMAND system can be equipped with an optional iPod/MP3 interface, SIRIUS satellite radio, HD radio, and an advanced voice control system for audio, navigation and phone systems. The system can also display maps and directions for the optional hard-drive navigation system, which can display SIRIUS real-time traffic information and Zagat restaurant ratings.

Mercedes-Benz E550 Coupe: Review (2/2)