Mercedes-Benz adds new Cabriolet soft top to E-Class range

Mercedes-Benz has added the new Cabriolet to its E-Class line-up with standard features such as a draught-stop system, a neck level heating system and an acoustic soft top.

The car maker has created the model with the motto "four seasons, four passengers" in mind with its AIRCAP automatic draught stop, which is controlled at the push of a button, and is said to reduce turbulence for all passengers.

The soft top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds – even when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. It is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the boot area; this cover must be closed in order to close the soft top. When the roof is closed, the cover can be slid backwards, in which case the boot capacity is increased by 90 litres to 390 litres.

Mercedes boasts the new direct-injection diesel and petrol models combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The low fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of low rolling resistance tyres, and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements, plus the crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics.

The engines and their outputs are:

• E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 170 hp

• E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 204 hp

• E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 231 hp

• E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 184 hp

• E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 204 hp

• E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 292 hp

• E 500 Cabriolet: 388 hp

The entry-level E 200 CGI model is fitted with an automatic transmission as standard. From June 2010, this model will also be available with a six-speed manual transmission and a start/stop function.

The AIRSCARF neck-level heating system has been added to enhance comfort in the open-top models. And the AIRCAP, draught-stop system, can be activated at the push of a button, which Mercedes says reduces turbulence in the interior of the new Cabriolet, creating a sea of warm air. It is also much easier to implement and use than conventional draught-stops: there is no tricky installation and the two individual rear seats are easily accessible.

Thanks to its acoustic soft top, fitted as standard, even the closed E-Class Cabriolet has one of the quietest interiors in the segment for four-seater premium cabriolets with a fabric roof. The soft top's insulation means a reduction in the interior noise level compared to conventional fabric soft tops. Exterior noise caused by other vehicles and wind noise are therefore absorbed more effectively. On the road, the difference is audible from speeds of just 80km/h, for example when driving through a tunnel or overtaking a convoy of trucks. At higher speeds, the benefits of the acoustic soft top are even more tangible. For instance, it is possible to have a perfectly normal phone conversation in hands-free mode even when travelling at a speed of over 200 km/h – not that we are suggesting you do this.

The soft top is of course waterproof and windproof. Plus it can be put through an automatic carwash without any problems. With a thickness of 23.5mm, the fabric soft top offers excellent thermal insulation, meaning that the E-Class Cabriolet is also ideal for use in winter.

Safety highlights of the open-top two-door model include roll-over protection, the A-pillars reinforced by two additional tubes and the plug-in B-pillars. This new model is also the first Mercedes cabriolet to feature headbags. The roll-over protection consists of two robust bars, each with a diameter of 35mm, which are housed in the rear head restraints in modules behind the rear seat backrests. If the sensors housed in the airbag control unit detect imminent danger to the occupants, pre-tensioned pressure springs are activated extremely quickly.

Consequently, both roll-over bars in the rear head restraints are extended. They reach their highest point and are locked automatically within a fraction of a second. In combination with the robust A-pillars, each of which is reinforced with two high-strength steel tubes, the steel bars provide highly effective roll-over protection. The plug-in B-pillars are robustly connected as they engage in the side skirts, thus offering highly effective protection in the event of a crash. A shoe made from ultra-high-strength steel braces the inside of the B-pillar against the rear seat crossmember.

With seven airbags fitted as standard, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all seats, not to mention crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger, the new E-Class Cabriolet offers the most extensive safety equipment package in this vehicle category. The airbags, which can deploy in milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags and sidebags for the driver and front passenger, a kneebag on the driver's side, and headbags. The latter, which appear in a Mercedes cabriolet for the first time, are housed in the door panelling in the beltline area. Covering a wide area – around 0.7 x 0.5 metres with a volume of 17 litres when deployed – the airbags provide extremely effective protection for occupants large and small in the event of a crash. The side protection system – comprising headbag and thoraxbag – optimises the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body. Rear sidebags are available as an option.

And if a Cabriolet takes your fancy, you don't have to wait very long as deliveries are expected to start from March 27.

No Comments Yet