The seats also get good marks for their all-around support and great comfort. Accessing the back seat obviously takes a little flexibility, but two adults of average-size can sit back there for a while without requiring a visit to the chiropractor. Trunk space, at 390 litres, is also adequate.
The car also comes with a bunch of high-tech bells and whistles, like a blind-spot monitor and a lane-change warning system. You know, stuff that’s now considered mandatory in a premium luxury car. A system called ATTENTION ASSIST is also included which detects when the driver is drowsy and emits an audible signal.
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| The $77,500 asking price for the E550 isn’t for everyone. (Photo: Matthieu Lambert/Auto123.com) |
In addition, the E550 Cabriolet gets optional neck heaters called AIRSCARF, which is fairly useful while driving top-down in spring and fall, as well as AIRCAP, a spoiler mounted above the windshield frame and that deploys at the touch of a button to reduce drafting inside the cockpit. Not much difference here, at least for front-seat passengers.
At $80,700 as tested, the E550 Cabriolet obviously isn’t for everyone. For the price, one could also set his or her sights on an Audi S5 Cabriolet, but besides that, it’s pretty much in a league of its own. Other convertibles are either smaller and less expensive, or bigger and pricier.
There isn’t much to fault in the E-Class Cabriolet; then again, for that much money, there better not be any serious shortcomings. However, a week-long ride aboard the E550 is proving us that it can be both a relaxed boulevard cruiser as well as a competent speed machine. If you can afford it, you can’t really ask for much more than this.
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