Designer droptop
2014 Mercedes-Benz E 350 Cabriolet is practical and comfortable
No matter how hard I try, I can’t duplicate the look of utter disdain my Uncle Bob had when tooling around in his beloved 1956 Cadillac Eldorado convertible.
As the proceeds of hardearned money he made working as a diesel mechanic on the DEW Line in Canada’s Arctic during the early ’60s, the Caddy was big, black and bodacious — an ostentatious display of Cold War-era Americana.
He was the coolest uncle with that car, especially when he plopped my brother and I into the red leather back seat for a top-down trip to the general store for an ice cream or pop.
I can’t “do” disdain when behind the wheel; it’s not my nature, especially with convertibles. Relaxed-bordering-on-mellow is more like it.
Besides, as beautifully if conservatively shaped as it is, especially with the new-for-2014 facelift to the front and rear, the Mercedes E 350 Cabriolet hasn’t a chance against the fabulous finned Caddies of the ’50s and early ’60s.
The mid-sized Benz droptop is elegant, fashionable and well bred. It doesn’t shout, “Look at me!” as land-yacht convertibles used to.
This is not to say the E-Class is boring or wimpy. But, especially in E 350 guise, the rear drive Cabriolet is best expressed as a “lively” boulevardier. It’s not a sports car and shouldn’t be treated as one.
Mercedes’ stated intent for this car when it debuted as a 2011 model was “four seasons, four people.” To back up this statement, the Cabriolet was imbued with enhanced safety features to go with its superior driving dynamics, as well as copious amounts of sound insulation to ensure a pleasant motoring experience, top-down or up.
As with all E-Class versions powered by the 3.5-litre V-6, the E 350 Cabriolet is more quick than fast. The default is Eco, which means second-gear starts and early upshifts, accentuating the Cab’s alfresco mellowness. Selecting Sport or Manual modes displays a more serious intent and makes full use of the V6’s 302 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, especially if you start playing around with the paddle shifters. The 1,805-kilogram two-door then moves with uncharacteristic hustle.
As lovely and highly regarded as this V-6 is, however, it’s being replaced next year with a 329h.p. 3.0L bi-turbo V-6, at which time the E 350 alphanumeric designation will be inflated to the E 400.
Not to confuse things, but there is also an Eco button on the centre dash panel (as opposed to the console) that activates the engine’s auto stop/ start function, with the intention of improving fuel economy. The 10.8 litres per 100 kilometres average I achieved with the convertible is quite acceptable.
Another button on the console allows a choice of comfort or sport modes for the suspension, the toggling altering the firmness of the multi-link setup’s shock absorbers. In either mode, however, the ride is controlled — the right amount of road input without being floaty or harsh.
Revisions to the Cabriolet are not confined to the exterior facelift. The cabin also gets a refresh, complete with features such as the new trim area with chrome inserts in the dashboard, a three-tube instrument cluster, redesigned centre console, analogue clock and more. But for anyone who has driven a late-model Mercedes and accidentally switched on the cruise control when reaching for the turn signal (guilty!), the position swap of the two stalks will be most appreciated.
The cabin’s upscale environment will ensure hours of fatigue-free motoring. The interior colours and materials are pleasing to the eye and touch, the front seats mould to your body shape and provide excellent support in all the right areas.
There are a couple of downsides, though.
Large people might find backseat legroom on the sparse side.
Of greater concern is the extreme rake of the windshield, which is intrusive for taller drivers. My forehead was just six inches away from the windshield header, so I had to readjust my seat to a less desirable position.
Though it wasn’t required during the pleasantly sunny days when the top was stowed, the optional AirScarf device — which Mercedes has been using in its convertibles for nearly a decade — functions like an invisible scarf that warms the occupants’ head and neck area. It’s integrated into the backrests of the front seats and provides heated air through outlets in the head restraints.
Then there’s AirCap — a button-operated power lamella/ spoiler that diverts airflow over the cabin. That, in conjunction with a mesh windbreak mounted to the power rear headrests, keeps wind buffeting to a minimum for rear-seat passengers.
As for the colour co-ordinated fully automatic soft-top, it stows nice and neat behind the rear panel within 20 seconds, even when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h, says Mercedes.
With our short warm season and inconsistent sunshine, convertibles are, at best, an extravagance. Yet, as $70,000 extravagances go, there’s a certain pragmatism to the Cabriolet, especially as its heavy-duty softtop is tight and more than capable of handling all four seasons.
Overview: Four-passenger luxury convertible
Pros: Long-distance comfort, effortless to drive
Cons: Lacks the outrageousness of old-style droptops Value for money: Fair What I would change: Add Dagmar front bumpers and a continental kit (just kidding!)