REVIEW: Mercedes-Benz's E-Class Cabrio

For 2011, the E is channeling something more intriguing; a convertible. Of course anyone can plainly see that the CLK-Class, that made an appearance for give or take 10 years, was essentially an E cabriolet. Although you would not know it because Mercedes neglected to mention anything CLK related during our press briefing. It was good for a chuckle.


Nomenclature aside, the E convertible is taking the E coupe's solid foundation and impressive driving dynamics then lopping off its top. For those who enjoy getting a tan, blasting around town with a couple of friends and a three-pointed star adorning the grille, this is one monster vehicle.


And it happens to look miles better than the E coupe. Lacking that fixed rear window and adding a delicate looking top, it accentuates the rear fender
that reminds me of a Bentley Continental GTC. The rear 3/4 is this vehicle's best angle.
If you have not been up to speed on the E coupe, let me summarize. The coupe drives like a scaled-down CL but deletes the boat-like quality and adds some liveliness. Sure its steering is numb and on the lighter side, but it remains direct and demands for you to play in the twisties.

It will not probably not sway a BMW driver from their 335i but it is not intended to do so. It is far more refined.

The E coupe makes for an excellent GT cruiser. Its suspension is stiff without punishing your derrière and its not so soft as to lull you to sleep. Body roll is kept in check for the most part during aggressive cornering and the coupe is a quiet highway roller.

Now, the convertible does all of the above but like a magician with a trick up its sleeve -- more like several.

For instance, Mercedes has continued to go forward using its AIRSCARF technology. My first encounter with it had me skeptical because when you synthesize what it is actually during, merely blowing warm air on your neck, the first reaction is that it is a gimmick. Low and behold, when you are driving top down in 35 or 40 degree weather, it makes convertible driving in winter months possible.

Mercedes Benz exquisite new estate

Mercedes are entering a new era. There's a ton of stuff going on in Stuttgart at the moment, with the firm at its most creative and dynamic for decades.

Witness their new CLS Shooting Break. Radical enough for any car manufacturer - let alone the ­three-pointed star - it's the horniest estate for miles.

Forget any ideas of competing with the E-Class, and hauling dogs, children and dirty nappies to and from the local gymkhana.

This is a new genre altogether, a Merc tourer that's low, aggressive, irresistible, and swathed in uptown materials and technology.

Traditionalists will like the oak and hide cabin with its art deco ­flourishes, while there'll be new, ultra-efficient and frugal 3.5 V6 and 4.6 V8 petrol engines mated to a seven-speed box, plus possible hybrid and electric versions.

The slippery styling's likely to ­become current across the whole range and will form a major element of MB's aesthetic grammar. So don't think this is just another concept, spinning pointlessly on a Beijing turntable.

I'll bet my trousers the sensual CLS Shooting Break won't just make into production.

Mercedes G55 AMG

Mercedes G55 AMG