Mercedes knows that thanks to tighter emissions regulations and the increasing price of fuel (thanks Darling), mpg is as important as bhp these days.

So that's why the new E-Class Coupé looks so sleek. It just so happens to be the most aerodynamic series production car on sale.

That's a nerdy fact? Surely it's more interesting?
But while the outside is all very E-classy, underneath the E-Class Coupé actually shares more with the smaller C-Class. This is due to handling improvements on the smaller C-Class model and after all, a Coupé is supposed to be more engaging to drive.

Wha's under that swoopy bonnet?
I drove what is likely to be the biggest selling model - the 250 CDI diesel. Although 204hp might not sound massive, 500Nm of torque from 1600rpm really is. This means that at pretty much any speed the E-Class Coupé pulls like a train and with the gearbox being able to skip a few cogs on the way down, overtaking is a doddle.

Much as it’s very nice to be able to go fast in a straight line (ask any American…) to keep up with its rivals, the E-Class Coupé has to be able to go round bends as well, and for that Mercedes have what they call Agility Control suspension. It works by adjusting the damping force and means the big Coupé feels much flatter and suffers from less body roll when cornering hard.

It's a posh Merc too, surely the inside is a bit special?
The seats hold you in place well and with endless adjustability you could quite literally spend all day fiddling about with the buttons to find your favorite driving position. It’s just a shame that the electric seats are so slow to move, meaning that letting people into the back can be a right pain. Especially so when it’s raining!

But the seats are not the only things covered in buttons, the E-class Coupé features a raft of gadgets designed to keep you safe including a fatigue warning system to wake you up if you start dozing off, and a new auto brake that, unlike the Volvo City Safety system, has the ability to work at much higher speed. While it might not always stop you from crashing it will slow you down considerably before the impact and give you what Mercedes is calling an ‘electronic crumple zone.’ Super.

The new E-Class Coupé really does make Mercedes feel like it has the most premium Coupe in its class – managing to be a comfortable cruiser while at the same time holding its own when it gets chucked about. But go on Merc, ignore the current car market and give us a bonkers AMG Black Version to wind up the RS and M-division boys. Please.