Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio completes German drop-top line-up
The fifth-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan launched mid-last year to critical and commercial success, but the luxury large-sizer range won’t be complete until the drop-top version lands in September.
While the new E-Class Cabriolet wears the same name as its predecessor, scratch the surface and dig a little deeper and its new underpinnings belie an upgraded platform befitting its Mercedes-Benz badge and premium pricetag.
The new E-Class convertible is actually the first all-brand-new drop-top E-Class for 20 years, with the previous model actually built on a stretched version of the old C-Class platform, and features more space and refinement than ever before.
Slotting right between the mid-size C-Class convertible and flagship S-Class drop-top to complete Mercedes’ three-pronged attack on the four-seat open-top market, the E-Class is both more luxurious than its smaller sibling and sportier than its bigger, heavier brother.
Inside the four-seater, comfort is abundant thanks to soft-leather seats and door trims, while the switchgear looks and feel premium thanks to small touches including turbine-style air-vents and metallic centre console controls.
For those who prefer to be behind the wheel, Mercedes’ new – and gorgeous – 12.3-inch instrumentation and infotainment display is on offer, which crisply showcases vehicle information such as speed, cruise control and satellite navigation.
Don’t like the way it looks? The best part of using an all-digital display is that almost anything can be customised, including the real-time vehicle fuel consumption, satellite navigation information, safety systems and even the colour and position of the dials.
That’s not the only thing you can tweak in the E-Class cabrio either, with the Dynamic drive mode settings covering Eco, Comfort, Sport, Sport+ and Individual to change settings including suspension, steering and throttle response for whatever mood you are in.
Choice can also be found in which engine to go for, either the entry-level 180kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol E300 or higher-performing 245kW/480Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 E400.
While the former only drives the rear wheels and the latter features Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel-drive system, both are teamed to a nine-speed torque-converter automatic transmission – sorry, three-pedal diehards.
Both are fairly potent too, with the E300 able to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in just 6.6 seconds and the E400 dispatching the landmark triple digits in a sportscar-scaring 5.5s.
Mercedes has even fitted an advanced four-link front and five-link rear suspension set-up to maximise fun through the bends, but for those after more of a comfortable beach cruiser over a backroad canyon carver, an optional air suspension system can be fitted.
Not content with the increase in noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels that comes with chopping a fixed metal roof from a vehicle and replacing it with a fabric soft-top, Mercedes has thickened the floorplan to reduce road noise intruding into the cabin.
Even the roof in the E-Class convertible is designed to work in temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees up to 80 degrees Celsius with around a 20,000 operation lifecycle. The German car-maker has really thought of everything!
Although pricing is yet to be revealed for the E-Class Cabriolet, expect it to sit somewhere north of its $110,900 before on-road costs E300 and $145,900 E400 coupe siblings.
However, for those who cannot quite justify dropping six figures on a four-seat luxury cruiser, Mercedes’ $86,900 C200 Cabriolet will offer the same open-air motoring experience, albeit with less kit and luxury, for a more palatable price.
On the other end of the spectrum though, the S-Class Carbiolet range kicks off at an eye-watering $357,215 for the S500 and can reach up to $521,715 for the AMG-tuned 463kW/1000Nm 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 S65.
It looks like then, Mercedes will have all its bases covered when it completes its luxury convertible line-up with the E-Class Cabriolet landing on Australian shores in September.
With the BMW 6 Series rumoured to be not long for this world, the Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet could be left as the only large-sized, four-seat, German drop-top on the market – not a bad choice either, for those looking.
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