When automakers invite you to test their products, it’s almost standard procedure to take you to an enchanting location. A location that often eclipses the car itself. This time, I found myself travelling to the Spanish isle of Majorca to put Mercedes’ latest cabrio through its paces.
First off, you have to be blind not to appreciate the new, angular lines of the E-Class. And even that argument doesn’t hold up, as you can still touch its sculpted profile and marvel at its subtlety. The elegant E-Class distinguishes itself by evoking the Mercedes-Benz heritage. A high dose of class is always part of the package, but on the current generation, the designers created a body with a lot more fight in it. The cabrio version is the latest member to join the E family, rounding things out the way Mercedes used to back when the cars all came in various versions.
Between E and C
The Mercedes engineers stuck with a winning and intelligent formula. In order to maintain reduced production costs, they used the C-Class platform instead of the E-Class one. While the dimensions are smaller, the number of changes that needed to be made was limited. But the point is moot, as the Cabriolet is pure E-Class. In fact, other than said platform, it boasts the same level of luxury, the same powertrains and, of course, the same style.
The significance of the Cabrio, other than the obvious wind-in-your-hair aspect, is that it allows more than two people to enjoy the ride. This is a true four-seater that, contrary to most of the competition, comfortably caters to every occupant. To ensure that you can fully enjoy all the pleasures the car has to offer, Mercedes-Benz included two gadgets that are proving their worth. Number one: the AirScarf, a simple heater built into the base of the front headrests that bathes the neck in a flow of hot air and allows you to extend the open-top driving season by a few weeks.
Number two: the AirCap, a wind deflector that is making its automotive debut and is mounted on top of the windshield, creating a dome over the car and limiting air turbulence in the cabin. Simple, ingenious, and standard, both systems can even be deactivated according to your needs.
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| The significance of the Cabrio, other than the obvious wind-in-your-hair aspect, is that it allows more than two people to enjoy the ride. (Photo: Bertrand Godin/Auto123.com) |
First off, you have to be blind not to appreciate the new, angular lines of the E-Class. And even that argument doesn’t hold up, as you can still touch its sculpted profile and marvel at its subtlety. The elegant E-Class distinguishes itself by evoking the Mercedes-Benz heritage. A high dose of class is always part of the package, but on the current generation, the designers created a body with a lot more fight in it. The cabrio version is the latest member to join the E family, rounding things out the way Mercedes used to back when the cars all came in various versions.
Between E and C
The Mercedes engineers stuck with a winning and intelligent formula. In order to maintain reduced production costs, they used the C-Class platform instead of the E-Class one. While the dimensions are smaller, the number of changes that needed to be made was limited. But the point is moot, as the Cabriolet is pure E-Class. In fact, other than said platform, it boasts the same level of luxury, the same powertrains and, of course, the same style.
The significance of the Cabrio, other than the obvious wind-in-your-hair aspect, is that it allows more than two people to enjoy the ride. This is a true four-seater that, contrary to most of the competition, comfortably caters to every occupant. To ensure that you can fully enjoy all the pleasures the car has to offer, Mercedes-Benz included two gadgets that are proving their worth. Number one: the AirScarf, a simple heater built into the base of the front headrests that bathes the neck in a flow of hot air and allows you to extend the open-top driving season by a few weeks.
Number two: the AirCap, a wind deflector that is making its automotive debut and is mounted on top of the windshield, creating a dome over the car and limiting air turbulence in the cabin. Simple, ingenious, and standard, both systems can even be deactivated according to your needs.
 |
| The AirScarf is a heater built into the base of the front headrests that bathes the neck in a flow of hot air and allows you to extend the open-top driving season by a few weeks. (Photo: Bertrand Godin/Auto123.com) |