STUTTGART, Germany — Mercedes-Benz officially launched its new 2011 E-Class cabriolet today, an all-new drop top that was first spotted in full production form earlier this fall on the set of the upcoming Sex and the City movie sequel.
On sale in May 2010, the rear-wheel-drive cabriolet is identical in size to the 2010 E-Class Coupe and matches the coupe's engine options: a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque for the E350 cabriolet and a 382-hp 5.5-liter V8 with 391 lb-ft for the E550 cab.
While the BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G37 and Lexus IS have moved to retractable hardtops for their current models, Mercedes has elected to use a 0.9-inch-thick fabric roof for the E-Class convertible. Waterproof and windproof, Mercedes says the top can be "put through an automatic car wash without any hesitation."
When open-air motoring is desired, the cabriolet roof folds into a special compartment behind the rear seat panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the trunk area, and it must be closed in order to stow the roof. When the roof is closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, and trunk capacity increased by 3.17 cubic feet to 13.8 cubic feet. The E-Class coupe offers 15.9 cubes. A pass-through loading feature is included as standard equipment for the new cabriolet, as is Easy-Entry — a manually operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.
Passengers are also likely to appreciate Mercedes' new AirCap, a feature that consists of two components: a wind deflector that extends from the top of the windshield by 2.4 inches and a draft-stop between the rear seats. AirCap reduces the draft at speeds up to 100 mph, making passengers more comfortable and able to hear each other talk when the top is down. Also present is Mercedes' Airscarf, a feature first introduced on the SL roadster, which shoots warm air around the neck through directable outlets in the front passengers' head restraints.
The E-Class convertible is also the first Mercedes cabrio to offer head airbags. Safety is increased by reinforced A-pillars and other braces.
Look for the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet in January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.
Inside Line says: Mercedes replaces its CLK convertible with a drop top that's more E-Class than C-Class. — Kelly Toepke, News Editor
Add A Comment »
carfreak13 says:
03:09 PM, 01/22/2010
i'll take an s5 or an m3 but not that
luxurycarlover says:
12:31 PM, 12/21/2009
I think I am the only one that thinks it looks fantastic. It looks so elegant and I really like it.
darthbimmer says:
04:11 PM, 12/16/2009
I'm not a fan of the styling. I don't like the rising contour lines. It looks too much like an old man's house loafer. Or one of those "souped up" cars from the 70s with ridiculous rear lifts.
adantium says:
06:48 AM, 12/16/2009
Looks like a cheap EOS with cloth roof. Sad really.
jm1212 says:
03:25 PM, 12/15/2009
A5 convertible looks better. the cloth top is not dong this car any favors like the cloth top did for the A5.
sebastien2 says:
06:36 AM, 12/15/2009
It's will not be E550 but E500!!! Grrrr!
double_duece says:
11:41 PM, 12/14/2009
It looks great, but only with the top down. The cloth top isn't doing it for me. I'd much rather have the coupe.
desmolicious says:
05:29 PM, 12/14/2009
Check out the group photo of all the E class models in the 3rd series. Two blue cars, one white one, one beige one...
I think they originally had two blue cars, and two white cars as that would have made a pleasing photo. And then realised they had created an abstract BMW badge....
roar02ram says:
04:55 PM, 12/14/2009
Poll: which is prettier, coupe or convertible?
I vote coupe.
cardude39 says:
03:38 PM, 12/14/2009
would a convertible be safe in a rollover colision??????