Tailored Luxury, Ripped Muscle: Inside Mercedes' Convertible, the E-Class Cabriolet

SALEM, Ore. - Feb. 23, 2015 - PRLog -- Powertrain

The E400 Cabrio sports a 3.0L, biturbo V-6 that's worthy of a generous 329-horsepower, while the E550 boasts a mighty 4.7L, biturbo V-8 that puts out 402-horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque. Both Mercedes convertible models come standard with ECO Start/Stop, which saves gas at stoplights by temporarily shutting off the engine, and both sport a 7-speed automatic transmission that's mated to rear-wheel drive.

Style

Out is the old model's stately, but a little dated, quad-headlamp arrangement and in is the more modern, single sleek LED headlamp on each side of the fascia. Vintage-esque "pontoon" fenders add to the sleek new style, while the top uses a traditional, cloth soft-top that's thickly insulated to allow phone conversations at high speeds with the roof up. It retracts in less than 20 seconds at speeds up to 25 mph.

Step inside the cabin and it becomes abundantly clear that this is a genuine Mercedes-Benz, with copious amounts of rich wood, leather, and chrome trim everywhere. Highlights include a multi-function, three-spoke steering wheel, Art Deco-inspired clock, and a more intuitive (than previous) center stack. And to please Mercedes connoisseurs, the gear shifter has also been relocated from the center console to the steering column.

Amenities

The E-Class Cabrio certainly isn't lacking in creature comforts. Standard feature highlights include dual-zone automatic climate control, Mercedes-Benz's COMAND infotainment system with seven-inch screen, heated and power-adjustable (14-way) front sports, Attention Assist (monitors the driver for signs of fatigue), an electronic collision-prevention system, LED headlamps and taillamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, HD radio, Bluetooth connectivity, leather and a power, all-season fabric convertible top, and "AIRCAP" system, which employs a draft-stop mounted behind the rear seats that significantly decreases windflow in the cabin when the windows are up..

Step up to the more powerful V8-powered E550 and you'll get aesthetic goodies such as brushed aluminum pedals, dual chrome exhaust pipes, and 18-inch alloy AMG wheels.

Noteworthy options on the E-Class convertible include a premium Hardon/Kardon sound system, COMAND navigation system, upgraded Nappa leather, Keyless-Go (push-button start without having insert the key), and "Airscarf" (a neck heating system).

Summary

The 2015 Mercedes E-Class convertible is a prime example of Mercedes-Benz's unwavering dedication to style, luxury, engineering and innovation.

For more info please visit http://www.mercedesofsalem.com.

Sources:

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicles/class/class-E/body...

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-mercedes-benz-e4...

http://www.autotrader.com/research/article/car-reviews/226374/2014-mercedes-benz-e-class-cabriolet-real-world-review.jsp