2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe officially revealed: 42 High-Res Photos

The Geneva Motor Show will see the introduction of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe which will serve as a replacement for the outgoing CLK. The new two-door model will hit Mercs European showrooms at the beginning of May 2009 with other markets following shortly after.

The luxury two-door car's design is heavily influenced by last year's ConceptFascination study that was shown in Paris. The quad-headlamp arrangement, the dramatic styling of the three-part side windows and the absence of B-pillars combined with the sleeker roofline and the heavily shouldered rear wheel-arches, result in a design that looks far more unique and stylish than the model it replaces.

At the same time, Mercedes-Benz claims that the new E-Class Coupe achieves a new world best in terms of drag coefficient with a Cd-figure of just 0.24 which is even lower than that of the Toyota Prius.

Open up the door and you'll find the same dashboard arrangement with the latest E-Class saloon. The coupe does get a sportier trim though along with four-individual bucket-like seats that can be folded down to increase the capacity of the luggage compartment.

Initially, Mercedes will offer two diesel and three gasoline engines on the E-Class Coupe. The German automaker supports that all version feature low fuel consumption not only because of the new engines, but also due to a number of practical measures which include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of low rolling resistance tires and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements.

The diesel line-up includes a 204HP twin-turbocharged 2.2-litre unit in the E250 CDi that consumes a combined average of 5.3 lt /100km (44.3mpg US) with CO2 emissions of just 139 grams per km. There's also an updated version of the 3.0-liter V6 in the E350 CDi with 231HP that consumes 6.8-liters per 100 km (34.6mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 179 gr/km.

The gasoline range comprises of a 204HP 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in the E250 CGi, a 3.5-liter V6 with a 292HP in the E350 CGI and a 5.5-liter V8 with 388HP for the range-topping E500.

Towards the end of the year or early 2010, Mercedes will add to the range the E63 AMG model that will be powered by a 525HP 6.2-liter V8 unit.

Model	Output (kW/hp)	Max. torque (Nm at rpm)	Combined Fuel cons. (l/100 km)
E 250 CDI	150/204	500 at 1600-1800 rpm	5.3
E 350 CDI	170/231	540 at 1600-2400 rpm	6.8
E 250 CGI	150/204	310 at 2000-4300 rpm	7.0
E 350 CGI	215/292	365 at 3000-5100 rpm	8.5
E 500	285/388	530 at 2800-4800 rpm	10.9

E 250 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 44,684.50 Euro

E 350 CDIBlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 48,671.00 Euro

E 250 CGIBlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 44,684.50 Euro

E 350 CGIBlueEFFICIENCY Coupé: 51,408.00 Euro

E 500 Coupé: 66,045.00 Euro

Video: BMW 5-Series GT Concept Presentation in Munich

In a special event in Munich, BMW took the wraps off its new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo prior to next month's Geneva Motor Show. The five-door liftback which is taller and longer than a 5-Series, supposedly combines elements and characteristics from several segments including MPVs and SUVs. BMW's latest niche model, known until now by as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), is scheduled to enter production later this year. In this film we get the chance to see the concept inside and out as well hearing BMW design director Adrian van Hooydonk's initial thoughts on the GT.

2010 Audi A4 Allroad Quattro - First Official Photos

Automakers are leaving no stone unturned these days to make a buck or in Audi's case, a Euro or two. The German company is getting ready to enter a new niche segment with the presentation of the A4 Allroad Quattro, a crossover version of its latest A4 Avant that will compete head on with the new Saab 9-3X, and in some ways act as an alternative proposal to compact SUV's like its own Q5 and the BMW X5. Audi will initially offer a gasoline engine and two diesel engines for the A4 Allroad Quattro that will hit European dealerships early this summer at a basic price of €37,100.

The engine range comprises of the 2.0-liter TFSI gasoline unit that delivers 211HP and 350 Nm of torque. Matted to Audi's S-Tronic dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission, it propels the Allroad to 100 km/h (62mph) in 6.9 sec, and to a top speed of 230 km/h (143mph). On average, it consumes 8.1 lt of fuel per 100 km (29 mpg).

The diesel range includes the 4-cylinder 2.0-liter TDI with 170HP that's combined with a six-speed manual gearbox launching the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.9 sec and on to a top speed of 213 km/h (132mph) with an avg fuel consumption of 6.4 ly of fuel per 100 km (36.8mpg). The more powerful 3.0-liter TDI V6 delivers 240HP and is hooked up to dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission propelling the Allroad from standstill to 100 km/h 6.4 sec topping out at 236 km/h. On average, the three-liter TDI sips 7.1 lt of fuel per 100 km (33.1mpg).

Aside from the standard quattro all-wheel drive system, Audi's engineers widened the A4 Avant's front and rear tracks by 20mm (0.79-in.) while the body is higher on account of a new chassis with longer springs - though Audi did not say how high. Furthermore, the Allroad is equipped with Audi's Offroad Detection (ORD) technology that senses the type of driving surface and adjusts the ESP's control parameters accordingly. The car sits on 17-inch alloys shod in 225/55 tires.

Similar to the A6 Allroad, Audi's smaller faux-offroader gets color-contrasting body cladding, restyled bumpers, a unique grille and roof rails. Inside changes are limited to the standard electromechanical handbrake and the availability of an exclusive Allroad fabric trim.

The A4 Allroad will make its world debut in Geneva in March. The German firm has yet to disclose its plans for the North American market.