Mercedes-Benz has completed the latest generation E-Class family with the introduction of the E-Class Cabriolet ahead of its Geneva Motor Show premiere. The soft-top E-Class joins the E-Coupe, launched earlier this year, and the Estate and the All-Terrain waggon. It sits snuggly between the S-Class and C-Class Cabriolet in the German manufacturer’s portfolio.
The new E-Cabriolet follows the same shape and silhouette as the coupe albeit with a retractable soft-top roof. The diamond-style grille and LED-treated headlamps with sleek ‘stardust’ taillights are all characteristic E-Class. The headlamp unit comes with optional Multibeam fitment as well. The overall dimension is larger than the outgoing car and the Cabriolet sits 15mm lower than the E-saloon on 17-inch multispoke alloy wheels. The fabric soft top is available in the colours dark brown, dark blue, dark red or black and is suitable to be used all year round, asserts the German carmaker. The soft-top is derived from S-Cabriolet and can be fully opened and closed in 20seconds at speeds of up to 50kmph. The boot capacity of 385litres drops to 310litre with the roof down.
On the inside, a floating dashboard effect is accentuated by a flowing trim, which houses the ambient lighting as well. The virtual instrument cluster extends all the way to form a massive single widescreen like in the S-Class. Whereas the standard one comes with seven-inch instrument cluster and an 8.4-inch screen stacked on the centre console with COMMAND function and smartphone connectivity. Similar to the previous car, the Cabrio comes option equipped with the AIRCAP automatic draught-stop and the AIRSCARF neck-level heating system as well.
For the first time, the E-Cabriolet will get an optional 4MATIC all-wheel drive system. The engine options include a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 181bhp in E200 and 242bhp in E300. The E400 4Matic gets a 3.0-litre V6 developing 328bhp. The diesel option includes an E220d variant with 2.0-litre oil-burner pushing out 191bhp. All models come with a 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission as standard. And unlike the previous car, the new E-Cabrio will receive an AMG treatment as well. The E-Cabrio comes with all the hardware Mercedes-Benz has on offers like the air suspension, air body control, driving modes, and safety equipment.
Pricing for the new E-Cabrio hasn’t been announced yet, but it will be the highlight of the show for the German manufacturer at the Geneva stage.
