THE EPITOME OF OPULENCE AND COMFORT
The 2018 E-Class Cabriolet shows Mercedes-Benz still knows how to build a good-looking cruiser that’s a ‘luxury’ ride
COURMAYEUR, ITALY Hot on the heels of the elegantly redesigned E-Class Coupe, Mercedes-Benz is launching a droptop version of this ritzy, two-door conveyance. Mercedes chose the Italian Alps to have us sample the 2018 E 400 4Matic Cabriolet. The scenery is so spectacular here, one could be quite content driving about in a motorized wheelbarrow.
Ah, but this breezy E-Class proves to be the ideal vehicle for coursing winding mountain passes and taking in epic vistas, such is its level of opulence, ride comfort and sure-footed stability.
The outgoing E-Class Cabriolet was built on C-Class architecture, but this new model rides on a slightly shortened version of the all-new E-Class sedan’s underpinnings.
As such, it grows in all directions, with the 113-millimetre wheelbase stretch especially benefiting rear seat passengers.
The E-Class Cabriolet is a fetching number, showing the marque’s recent return to classic elegance under the watchful eye of design chief Gordon Wagener.
Compared with the creased previous model, the 2018 is smoother and more organic, and sits on the road with an elemental purity. Consider this car a refreshing antidote to much of the shockingly over-styled stuff coming from Japan right now.
All Canadian vehicles get standard AMG styling that bestows 18-inch alloys, a “Diamond Grille” with chrome pins, AMG front and rear aprons, side skirts, upgraded sport brakes and Benz’s throwback power ridges on the hood.
This convertible looks especially graceful with its lid tucked under the tidy tonneau cover.
The rear flanks gently taper up and over to the deck, giving the haunches a muscular presence. The passenger compartment is ringed in brushed metal.
Full LED headlights are standard, and out back we see slim LED tail lights featuring a new “crystal” treatment with an intriguing granular look.
The headlights are upgradeable to multi-beam LEDs with 84 individual elements per side that, among other things, bend the beam into corners.
Sadly, the coolest aspect of the convertible E-Class bristles with all the connectivity, safety systems and semi-autonomous tech of its sedan sibling. But before we get into that, let’s take the few seconds to fold down the multilayer fabric top and experience this convertible in its grand touring element.
It only takes a few kilometres behind the wheel to reveal comfort is king here. The seats are superbly contoured for longdistance support and the underpinnings are expertly calibrated to deliver a quiet, compliant ride that won’t ruffle your feathers, no matter how bad the road surface. Some car manufacturers have forgotten how to tune a proper “luxury” ride. Apparently, Mercedes-Benz has not.
Specific to the E-Class Cabriolet are AirScarf and AirCap; the former blows warm air on your neck while the latter directs airflow over the heads of the rear passengers. Those with bare legs will appreciate the sun-reflective leather seating surfaces. And yes, the rear seats are suitable for regular-sized adults. The trunk is small but the rear seats fold forward to allow for a pass-through.
Canadian cars are all equipped with 4Matic all-wheel drive and go down the road courtesy of a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6, mated to Benz’s 9G-Tronic nine-speed automatic transmission with a fuel-saving “sailing” feature, wherein it shifts to neutral when coasting. The V6 generates decent power — 329 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 345 pound-feet of torque from a low 1,600 rpm — but this isn’t an engine you will fall in love with. It lacks real character and gets a bit coarse in the upper reaches. The fact Mercedes is moving back to straight-six engines says a shift is afoot.
Nonetheless, the V6 moves us along smartly and with little effort, and switching the drive control to Sport or Sport+ sharpens throttle response, firms up the steering and calls up more aggressive shift mapping. If equipped with Dynamic Body Control, the suspension firms up as well, giving the Cabriolet a decently sporting demeanour.
The nine-speed automatic shifts smoothly and avoids unwanted gear hunting, even on mountain roads. You can play with the shift paddles if you like, but the 9G-Tronic works best when you just leave it alone.
For 2018, the cabin gets kicked up to S-class levels of design, material and workmanship. Mercedes’ new air vents make their debut here. You feel coddled and privileged, more so when opting for the upgrades that include special Nappa leather upholstery, different wood trims and unique colour combinations.
Standard equipment includes dark ash open-pore wood, heated leather front seats with memory settings, GPS navigation, satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and ambient interior lighting with 64 hues to choose from.
As with all Mercedes-Benz products, the optional Premium Package could be considered essential. For $4,000, it adds an upgraded Burmester audio system, a power trunk with foot activation, proximity key access, heated front seats and armrests, illuminated kick plates, and most importantly, the 12.3-inch Widescreen Cockpit with three selectable display styles — classic, sport and progressive — that replaces the standard analog gauge cluster in front of the driver. This screen sits adjacent to the standard 12.3-inch display atop the centre stack, giving you a swath of pin-sharp graphics that takes up a good chunk of dash real estate.
If you do opt for the Intelligent Drive Package, know that your droptop sends out more radar and ultrasonic waves than a NORAD military base.
The stereo camera at the top of the windshield peers down the road for half a kilometre, and this E-Class will dutifully follow traffic, steer itself (for a bit), nudge you back in line if you stray from your lane, change lanes on its own when you signal, and mitigate bad situations by assisting with braking and emergency steering manoeuvres.
In a nutshell, the E-Class Cabriolet bristles with all of Benz’s latest safety and semiautonomous technology that was previously the purview of the top-dog S-class.
Arriving at Canadian dealerships in August, pricing for the 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic Cabriolet will be announced closer to the August launch date.