Classy cabrio is best Merc in years E400 boasts quality to rival a Bentley

A question that’s often asked is ‘What new cars will become classics?’ It’s a good one.

I find it very hard to imagine that in 50 years’ time people will be lovingly polishing their Ford Fiestas on a Sunday morning, or eagerly trying to locate a dashboard part for its restoration at a local autojumble.

Current Porsches and Ferraris will be treasured but not I think the mainstream hatchbacks and SUVs. They’ll long ago have been melted down to make saucepans.

But unless driverless cars have forced conventional cars off the road by then, I can imagine that this Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet will be cherished just like a 1950s Jaguar roadster is today. It is a classy machine, albeit a rather expensive one.

The entry-level model is the E220d at £43,800 but we’re driving the E400 version (which costs another ten grand). It has a 3.0-litre petrol V6 motor that produces 333bhp and has Merc’s 4MATIC four-wheel drive system, with a plug-in hybrid powertrain version to follow later.

The last E-Class cabriolet was actually based on the C-Class chassis which meant that it was a bit tight for space in the back. Being 123mm longer than the old car, this one has more legroom and the boot is bigger, too.

The cabriolet shares its dashboard with the recently launched coupe and both are noticeably different to the saloon’s.

The big infotainment and digital instrument screens are common to all cars but the two-

door versions get fabulous details such as the jet-engine style air vents. And our test car’s dash features stunning open grain wood in a very tasteful dark charcoal colour.

The convertible top is multi-layered and heavily insulated so even at high speeds you’re barely aware the car has a fabric roof. You can lower and raise it at speeds of up to 31mph and the process takes only 20sec.

Merc’s Dynamic Select system is standard but it’s pointless to drive this car in anything other than Comfort mode. The six-cylinder models, like this one, come fitted with air suspension so there’s no point in spoiling the very comfortable ride by selecting Sport. Not least because at nearly two tonnes, this is not a sports car. It’s for driving sensibly on a coast road, top down, while admiring the view.

The V6 engine works perfectly in conjunction with the ninespeed automatic gearbox that’s standard in all models. The top speed is limited to 155mph and 0-62mph takes just 5.5sec.

That might not be jaw droppingly fast by modern standards but it’s still very brisk. More than fast enough, in fact.

With options added our test car comes out at £64,220. But the thing is, you’re getting a level of luxury and quality that can cost twice as much.

A Bentley Continental GTC might have a more exclusive badge and be much faster, but it is no classier than this Merc. And neither is the German company’s own S-Class Cabriolet which starts at £113,000. Presumably, Mercedes is readying in the wings an AMG version of the Cabriolet that’ll boast 500bhp plus and be more than a match for high performance convertibles from all its rivals.

Don’t waste your money on it. Even the E220d version of this car, which will be considerably cheaper to run, is stunning and more than quick enough.

The new E-Class Cabriolet is the most appealing car Mercedes has made in decades.

A future classic? I think so.