The fourth member of the impressive E-class family is the world’s first convertible designed as much for snowy Detroit as sunny St Tropez. Two ingenious bits of simple all-weather tech – namely, a deflector on top of the windscreen that greatly reduces roof-down cabin buffeting, and neck heaters – enable you to drive top down, no matter what the weather.
We’re just back from Detroit, where we pored all over the latest topless Merc. Here’s our initial static verdict; we haven’t driven it yet, but CAR will be behind the wheel in spring 2010.
Merc calls it the world’s first four seasons convertible
The new Mercedes E-class Cabriolet replaces the CLK. It uses a fabric rather than the increasingly popular metal roof – saving 50kg, occupying less boot space and also improving handling. The Merc engineers also think fabric looks classier on this type of car – quite an admission from the company that popularised the folding metal roof.
Like the latest E coupé, the platform is from the C-class: same wheelbase and track. As the two-door E is smaller than the four-door, the choice was either a cut-down E platform or C architecture. They chose the latter. Suspension is a mix of C and E components, but the interior and feature list is pure E. Engines are the same as the E coupé’s, including E220 diesel up to E500 V8.
Space enough for four
Legroom and rear shoulder room are a little less than the coupé’s: blame the space behind the passenger compartment needed to stow the hood. Yet two six-footers can sit behind similarly sized adults. This really is a coupé in which four adults could dash to the south of France in comfort, presumably roof up or down. The roof can be raised/lowered in 20 seconds, at any speed up to 25mph. So, around town, there’s no need to stop before implementing the roof gymnastics.
Safety features include seven airbags and auto roll-over bars in the head rests.
Reduced cabin buffeting and an ‘invisible scarf’
The two key features that allow all-weather comfort are the AIRCAP system – essentially it’s a wind deflector that extends 6cm from the top of the windscreen, reducing buffeting and cabin noise – and the latest development of AIRSCARF, which feeds warm air through the head restraints and, says Benz, acts like an invisible scarf.
As with the other E members, the Cabriolet is not being marketed as an overtly sporty car. It’s about refinement and relaxation, as much as excitement – exactly as a good Benz should be.