More Than 50 Years Of Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupes And Cabriolets; Which One’s Your Favorite?

Mercedes-Benz is putting the finishing touches on the facelifted 2021 E-Class Coupe and Convertible, so the company is taking a look back at their two-door predecessors, which may have not shared the same name, but were part of the extended family.

The 1960s W114

According to the German automaker, the story begins in 1968 when they launched the “Stroke 8” coupe which is essentially a two-door version of the W114.

Offered exclusively with six-cylinder engines, the model was large and luxurious. It was also reasonably high-tech as the range-topping 250 CE had an M 114 engine with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection. While the output of 148 hp (110 kW / 150 PS) isn’t very impressive by today’s standards, Mercedes noted the car could hit 124 mph (200 km/h) which was “outstanding for passenger cars at the time.”

Of course, the car also embraced what would come to define the company’s mid-size coupes – elegant and sporty styling with a luxurious interior. Speaking of which, the model had a more rakish windscreen and a lower roof than the sedan.  It also featured wood trim and an ‘pillarless’ design.

The 1970s W123

The coupe version of the W123 arrived nearly a decade later as it debuted at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show. The model offered an expanded lineup which included an entry-level 230 C with a four-cylinder engine that produced 108 hp (80 kW / 109 PS).

A diesel-powered 300 CD joined the lineup that fall and was exclusive to North America. It had a five-cylinder engine producing a mere 79 hp (59 kW / 80 PS), but it was eventually replaced by the turbodiesel unit with 123 hp (92 kW / 125 hp).

Besides the more diverse engine lineup, the W123 coupe was sportier than its predecessor.  In terms of size, the model was 3.3 inches (85 mm) shorter and 1.6 inches (40 mm) lower than the sedan.

The 1980s W124

The W124 arrived in 1987 and it was literally a breath of fresh air as it was first E-Class to be offered as a convertible. The drop top arrived in four years after the coupe and featured a 95 lbs (43 kg) soft top with 27 linkages and 34 joints.

Like the W123 before it, the W124 was 3.3 inch (85 mm) shorter than its sedan counterpart. However, this time around, the “side panels, roof and rear end were also significantly modified, with only the front-end assembly being taken over largely unchanged from the sedan.”

A facelift was introduced in 1993 and it ushered in the first AMG variants. Known as the E 36 AMG, the models had a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine developing 268 hp (200 kW / 272 PS).

The 1990s W208

Four years later, Mercedes would retire the E-Class Coupe and Convertible names and instead use the CLK moniker (W208). That wasn’t the only change as the company admits the “two-door model was based on the existing C-Class … but, as a fully-fledged four-seater coupe, it continued the traditional approach of the E-Class Coupes.”

An assortment of engines were available including a four-cylinder with 134 hp (100 kW / 136 PS). However, the range-topper was the CLK 55 AMG which packed a 5.4-liter V8 developing 342 hp (255 kW / 347 PS).

The 2000s C209/A209

The second-generation CLK arrived in 2002 and it adopted more streamlined styling than its boxy predecessor. The model was also larger than before and this resulted in a more accommodating interior.

Seven different engines were offered on the coupe, while only five made it to the convertible. Despite this, both had outputs ranging from 161 hp (120 kW / 163 hp) to 362 hp (270 kW / 367 hp).

However, there’s one important caveat – the limited edition CLK DTM AMG. The model debuted in 2004 and featured a 5.5-liter V8 developing 574 hp (428 kW / 582 PS).

Of course, the car was more than just a powerful engine as it featured a unique exterior which drew inspiration from the company’s DTM race car. The motorsport-inspired design continued in the cabin as there were lightweight bucket sport seats, carbon fiber trim and a suede-wrapped steering wheel.

A facelifted CLK would arrive in 2005 and be followed by a CLK 63 AMG with 474 hp (354 kW / 481 PS) in 2006. The company also introduced an insane Black Series variant which had 500 hp (373 kW / 507 PS) and was available exclusively as a coupe.

The 2010s C207/A207

The E-Class moniker would return in 2009 as a new two-door model made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The convertible arrived one year later and featured an optional Airscarf neck-level heating system.

Despite its somewhat awkward design, the model was a strong seller as Mercedes built 221,556 coupes and 140,925 convertibles.

The 2017 C238/A238

Its successor debuted at the 2017 North American International Auto Show and will soon be replaced by a facelifted variant which should incorporate features used on the updated sedan.