Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
Mercedes-Benz has completed its E-Class family with the new E-Class Cabriolet, which arrives at Mercedes-Benz of Peterborough this summer – just in time for the best of the season’s weather
The new Cabriolet is the fifth and youngest member of Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class family, which has been renewed entirely within the space of one year. At the same time, the brand with the star is continuing its tradition of high-calibre cabriolets with a classic fabric soft top. ‘The passion for extraordinary vehicles, which we share with our customers, is reflected in our new E-Class Cabriolet in a unique way. It is a car that lets people enjoy comfort and luxury in the open air,’ says Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management at Daimler AG with responsibility for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing & Sales.
This four-seater with a classic fabric soft top combines puristic, sensuous design with unbeatable comfort for four occupants and the latest technology. This includes comprehensive smartphone integration with a wireless charging and key function, a widescreen cockpit and the latest assistance systems. Powerful engines and comfortable suspension systems ensure a sporty and luxurious driving experience. On request the Cabriolet can be equipped with the AIRCAP electric draught-stop system and the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system to enhance comfort when driving with the roof down. For the first time, the Cabriolet is also available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive. When the soft top is up, the E-Class Cabriolet has a silhouette similar to that of the E-Class Coupé.
The close ties between the two models are apparent in their shared design language, with the emphasis on surfaces with clean lines. A striking front section with a lowpositioned diamond radiator grille and centrally located star, LED High Performance headlamps (or optional high-resolution MULTIBEAM LED headlamps), a drawn-out bonnet with powerdomes and fully retractable side windows underline the dynamic looks of the Cabriolet. The tail lights resemble the glow given off by a jet engine – and, as a new feature, the tail lights also put on a special show for the driver when they approach or leave the car. Suspension that is 15 millimetres lower than that of the Saloon emphasises the sporty character of the E-Class Cabriolet and demonstrates its sporty credentials even with the standard 17-inch tyres (19- inch in the UK).
Premium-class fabric soft top
The fabric soft top is available in dark brown, dark blue, dark red or black. A fully automatic acoustic soft top comes as standard. Its multi-layered structure with sophisticated insulation reduces wind and driving noise, which makes it easy for the occupants to hear each other talk, even when driving at high speed. The soft-top structure is equally effective when it comes to climate comfort, making the Cabriolet suitable for use all year round. Derived from that of the S-Class Cabriolet, the soft top can be fully opened and closed in 20 seconds when travelling at a speed of up to 50 km/h (31 mph). After opening, it folds down into the soft-top compartment in the boot, a retractable cover separating it from the remaining boot space – and thanks to the fully electrical control included in the optional Cabriolet Comfort package, the driver does not have to stop to operate the boot separator manually. The boot capacity of 385 litres (310 litres when the roof is open) means the E-Class Cabriolet doesn’t compromise on practicality.
Interior – sophisticated style and sporty luxury
The cabin’s high-quality finish emphasises the car’s sporty, stylish character. Two optionally available high-resolution 12.3-inch displays (31.2 cm, 1920 x 720 pixel resolution) – a unique selling point in this segment – merge beneath a shared glass cover to create a widescreen that appears to be floating. The driver can choose from three different styles for the virtual instruments. The entry-level model combines two round dials and a 7-inch colour display cluster (17.8 cm, 1000 x 600 pixel resolution) with a central display featuring an 8.4-inch screen diagonal (21.3 cm 960 x 540 pixel resolution). The dials, instrument cluster and central display are installed in a single frame with a high-gloss piano-lacquer look. Distinctly sporty highlights include air outlets in Silvershadow with a shape inspired by turbine engines.
The driver has multiple options for operating the instrument cluster, multimedia system and other functions: touch controls in the steering wheel for finger-swipe control, a touchpad that recognises handwriting and the Controller in the centre console, LINGUATRONIC voice control and direct-access buttons, eg for controlling the air conditioning and for convenient activation and deactivation of certain driver assistance systems. The luxurious seats have a sportily sculpted individual-seat character, featuring sturdy side bolsters, integrated head restraints and optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating. Standard-fit automatic belt extenders for the front seats help the occupants to fasten their seat belts. The rear seats now provide a through-loading feature as standard and are also heated, further enhancing the car’s suitability for all-year-round use and its claim to be a fully-fledged four-seater.
Attractive appointments in yacht blue in combination with macchiato beige lend the Cabriolet a cool, exclusive look, while optional appointments include heat-reflecting leather in five colours. There are also nine different trim options to choose from, including two pale finishes in innovative high-gloss open-pore wood. The interior lighting makes exclusive use of durable, energy-saving LED technology. The same applies to the optionally available enhanced ambient lighting with 64 colours (standard in UK) and a special feature in the shape of a rear light in the roof liner of the Cabriolet soft-top.
Summer heat a constant companion
Customers opting for a cabriolet like to drive with the top down as often as possible. Maximum open-air comfort is possible in the E-Class Cabriolet thanks to the optional Cabriolet Comfort package which includes the AIRCAP automatic draught-stop system – developed specifically for Mercedes-Benz cabriolets – and AIRSCARF neck-level heating. At the press of a button, the AIRCAP system reduces the interior turbulence for the rear passengers, too. AIRSCARF circulates warm air around the neck of the driver and passenger when temperatures are low outside, and so allows enjoyment of the open-air feeling even on cold days.
Larger and more luxurious
Compared with its predecessor, the new E-Class Cabriolet has grown in length, width and wheelbase: with a vehicle length of 4826 mm, a vehicle width of 1860 mm and a height of 1428 mm. The main benefit of the wider track, with 1605 mm at the front (+ 67 mm) and 1609 mm at the rear (+68 mm), is the driving dynamics. Its considerably larger ‘footprint’ benefits passengers in the rear in particular. On each of the four high-quality seats – which all feel like individual seats in their own right – the driver and all passengers will be able to enjoy true comfort even on long journeys.
The E-Class Cabriolet, from £44,675, is available to test drive at Mercedes-Benz of Peterborough.
MERCEDES-BENZ OF PETERBOROUGH
Club Way, Cygnet Park, Peterborough PE7 8JA.
01733 294900
www.mercedesbenzofpeterborough.co.uk