We lift lid on E-Class cabrio

13th November 2009

Here's an eye-catching trailer for Mercedes’ next blockbuster! Our spy photographer caught this showroom-ready E-Class Convertible – complete with a protective plastic covering to keep its paintwork mark-free – on its way to being delivered to a dealership in Germany. And as these images show, the drop-top will certainly turn heads when it arrives here in the spring.

As with its arch rival, the Audi A5 Cabriolet, the new E-Class Convertible gets a compact fabric roof instead of a heavier and more cumbersome folding metal unit. And following the car it replaces it’s aimed at style-conscious buyers, borrowing the sharp side creases and pronounced rear wheelarches from the latest E-Class coupé.

New features include a retractable deflector that sits on the top of the windscreen. This acts like a small spoiler to direct wind over the top of the occupants’ heads and reduce noise when the roof is down. Expect Mercedes’ neck-warming Airscarf system to feature, too.

Engines will be carried over from the coupé, giving buyers a choice of four and six-cylinder diesel engines with super-frugal low-emission BlueEFFICIENCY technology, as well as three petrol units. Top of the range will be the 382bhp 5.5-litre V8-engined E500. Prices will start at around £35,000.

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