Convoy of 2017 Mercedes E-Class Coupe (C238) Escorted by a Porsche 911?

Okay, we admit that we are trying to make the story seem a little more interesting than it is. Spotting a prototype for a future car is normal these days, especially if you happen to live around Stuttgart, where both Porsche and Mercedes do their finest work. However, three E-Class Coupe prototypes were seen at the same time, and a Porsche 911 at the front of the convoy can't be a coincidence.

The 911 has been the benchmark for premium sports cars even before there was an E-Class. We used to compare the rear-engined Porsche to the Mercedes SL-Class and the CLK. But now, the thee-pointed star makes several other cars.

They started off with a luxurious but not very dynamic S-Class Coupe and quickly followed it up with the C-Class Coupe that's launching in America right now. The gap between the two will quickly be filled by the E-Class Coupe, codenamed C238.

Unlike the E-Class Estate, this two-door model isn't ready to show us its full body design yet. All three prototypes are covered in heavy camouflage and have added panels to disguise the shape of the trunk or bumper.

Underneath all that is the same platform that underpins the revolutionary new E-Class sedan. It's not so much a car as it is a computer with wheels that does everything you don't want to. In several ways, it's more advanced than the S-Class, which is why they are doing a facelift for the flagship model.

Over the past couple of years, Mercedes has sprung into action on the engine battlefront. Recent activity includes replacing the old 3.5-liter V6 with a twin-turbo motor, developing a 4-liter AMG engine and a 2-liter diesel. All of those will find their way into the E-Class Coupe at one point. The hottest version is rumored to have just over 600 horsepower from the AMG GT's engine. That Porsche looks like it's in trouble now!