A-Z of new E-Class Cabriolet
MERCEDES-BENZ: COMPLETING FAMILY WITH STUNNING ADDITION
Car demonstrates its sporty credentials even with 17-inch tyres.
Mercedes-Benz is completing its E-Class family with the new E-Class Cabriolet. This open four-seater with a classic fabric soft-top combines puristic, sensuous design with high long-distance comfort for four occupants and the latest technology.
When the soft top is up, the E-Class Cabriolet has a silhouette similar to that of the E-Class Coupé but with suspension that is 15 millimetres lower than that of the sedan. The car thus demonstrates its sporty credentials even with the standard 17-inch tyres.
The fabric soft-top is available in the colours 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.
Derived from the S-Class Cabriolet, the soft top also meets high quality standards in terms of durability and operation. It can be fully opened and closed in 20 seconds when travelling at a speed of up to 50 km/h.
After opening, it folds down quietly and precisely and is stored in the soft-top compartment in the boot. A retractable cover separates the soft top from the remaining boot space.
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) offers all the right ingredients for a high level of everyday practicality.
The all-new 50:50 folding rear seat backrests create a through-loading feature in the interior – another plus point when it comes to everyday practicality.
The upper section of the dashboard appears to be hovering.
Two optionally available high-resolution 12.3-inch displays (31.2 cm, 1920 x 720 pixel resolution) merge beneath a shared glass cover to create a widescreen that appears to be floating in thin air but nevertheless blends in smoothly between the upper and lower sections of the cockpit. The driver can choose from three different styles for the virtual instruments in the instrument cluster: Classic, Sport and Progressive.
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 with 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.
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.
The seats for all four occupants have a sculpted individual-seat character. The integral-look sports seats feature sturdy side bolsters, organically integrated head restraints and optional Airscarf neck-level heating and Aircap draught-stop system, which was developed specifically for the Mercedes-Benz Cabriolets.
It consists of an electric wind deflector module inconspicuously integrated into the roof frame and an electric draught stop behind the rear seats. At the press of a button, this system reduces the interior turbulence for the rear passengers.
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.
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 and a special feature in the shape of a rear light in the roof liner of the Cabriolet soft-top.
Compared with its predecessor, the new E-Class Cabriolet has grown in length, width and wheelbase: with a vehicle length of 4 826 mm, a vehicle width of 1 860 mm and a height of 1 428 mm, the new E-Class Cabriolet is by far the larger model.
The principal beneficiary of the wider track, with 1 605 mm at the front (+67 mm) and 1 609 mm at the rear (+68 mm), is the driving dynamics. Its considerably larger “footprint” benefits passengers in the rear in particular.
At the market launch, there is initially a choice of powerful and efficient petrol and diesel engines, including a version with 4MATIC
permanent all-wheel drive for the first time.
As standard, all models are equipped with the 9G-TRONIC nine-speed automatic transmission, which allows fast gearshifts and lower engine speeds. This has a particularly beneficial effect on efficiency and noise.
The E 220 d produces 143kW and 400Nm while the E 300 makes 180kW and 370Nm. The 6-cylinder E 400 4MATIC tops the range at 245kW and 480Nm.
In the event of an accident, the high structural safety of the body and the extensive array of restraint systems offer optimum protection. These include airbags integrated into the top edge of the front door panels to protect the head in the event of severe side impacts (headbags).
The roll-over protection system has been developed specifically for the Cabriolet. It consists of two cartridges that are fully retracted behind the rear seats and therefore invisible. If a roll-over is imminent, these cartridges are pyrotechnically fired, whereupon they shoot out to provide a survival space together with the A-pillar.
As a member of the current E-Class family, the new Cabriolet offers all the familiar features from the E-Class Saloon and Coupé. Active Brake Assist comes as standard. It is able to warn the driver of an imminent collision, provide optimum support with emergency braking and, if necessary, also autonomously apply the brakes.
In addition to slower-moving, stopping or stationary vehicles, it can also detect pedestrians crossing in the danger zone.
Further highlights include the Driving Assistance package with the further developed Active Distance Assist Distronic including Active Steering Assist: on all roads, it is not only able to keep the car the correct distance behind vehicles in front, for the first time it can also follow them
automatically at a speed of up to 210 km/h.
A further comfort highlight is the new Concierge Service, which is available in all E-Class models in combination with Mercedes Me Connect.
Subscribed customers can take advantage of a number of assistance options: from making a restaurant reservation to obtaining tips about tourist routes, information on cultural and sporting events and bookings through to sending navigation destinations directly to the vehicle.
Access is straightforward: registered Mercedes Me Connect users can call up the Concierge Service via the iCall button in the vehicle or on the Mercedes me app. The personal concierge takes care of everything else.
Specially developed for Cabriolets, the climate control system responds to whether the vehicle is being driven with the top up or down. In contrast to conventional systems, the climate is controlled fully automatically. This means that the driver does not need to select a mode for closed or open top, nor is it necessary to save a temperature setting for these driving conditions.