Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet unveiled

The new E-Class Cabriolet has the same interior as the latest E-Class Coupé. While heavily based on that used by the E-Class Saloon, it receives a number of exclusive touches, including newly designed turbine style air vents within the dashboard facia, automatically extending feeder arms for the front seatbelts, exclusive open pore wood trims and what Mercedes-Benz describes as special heat-reflecting leather in five different colours.

The new open top comes as standard with analogue instruments and an 8.4in infotainment monitor, although buyers can choose two optional 12.3in digital displays like those already offered on the E-Class Saloon. The operating control for the optional digital displays is via small touchpads on the horizontal spokes of the steering wheel or a rotary controller and larger touchpad within the centre console and, as a further option, speech commands.

As with its predecessor, the new open top can also be optioned with Mercedes-Benz’s Aircap draught-mitigating system incorporated within the upper section of the windscreen header rail and the Airscarf neck heating ventilation system integrated into the front seat backs.

The larger footprint translates to increased interior accommodation, making the new E-Class Cabriolet a proper four-seater; headroom is up by 15mm up front and 6mm at the rear, shoulder room is increased by 50mm at the front and 14mm at the rear and elbow room grows by 38mm front and 20mm rear. The largest increase in interior space, though, is reserved for rear seat legroom, which is up by 102mm at a claimed 866mm.

Among the occupant safety measures offered by the new Mercedes-Benz model are five standard fit airbags, including a knee airbag for the driver, as well as four optional airbags, including side airbags in the rear. Further protection is provided by two sturdy beams integrated into the rear bulkhead. They are pyrotechnically fired out through the rear trim panel when sensors detect a possible rollover to create added survival space.   

The E-Class Cabriolet is planned to be offered with the same engine line-up as the latest E-Class Coupé, alongside which it is produced at Mercedes-Benz’s plant in Bremen, Germany, with three petrols and a single diesel powerplant ranging in power from 181bhp to 328bhp.

The petrol line-up starts with E 200 Cabriolet powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 181bhp. It is joined by the E 300 Cabriolet running the same turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder as the E 200 Cabriolet tuned to a 242bhp. Above it sits the E 400 4Matic Cabriolet, which uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 engine delivering 328bhp.

The sole diesel in the initial UK line-up, the E 220 d Cabriolet, runs Mercedes-Benz‘s newly developed turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 191bhp. 

All models come fitted as standard with Mercedes-Benz’s nine-speed automatic gearbox. The E 220 d Cabriolet and E 300 Cabriolet are rear-wheel drive, while the E400 4Matic, as its name suggests, comes as standard with Mercedes’ four-wheel drive system, which provides a nominal 45% front, 55% rear apportioning of drive.