Mercedes lifts the lid on E

We've seen the spy pics and even 'ridden' in the car in a wind tunnel, now here are the first 'official' pictures of Mercedes-Benz's new E-Class Cabriolet.

Designed to replace the CLK, and move the brand's volume soft-top higher into the executive wheels ranks, the new E-Class Cabriolet keeps the signature folding soft-top and four-seat configuration of the C-Class-based predecessor, but adds another level of equipment and refinement, befitting the new E badging.

The vehicle is based on the E-Class coupe which arrived Down Under mid-year. Benz is championing the concept of "four seasons, four personalities" for the car, which pioneers the company's new Aircap automatic draught-stop system and introduces the SL/SLK-based Airscarf neck-level heating system for the first time in a four-seater.

Our man in Europe, Michael Taylor, broke the news of the Aircap system at the Carsales Network earlier this week so we won't regurgitate it here. Suffice it to say, this is a system which we believe should open the cabriolet to more top-down use more often.

The cloth top is a defining item for the E-Class Cabriolet -- somehow the Benz convertible wouldn't be the same with a folding hard roof. Accordingly, Benz has lavished extra attention on the top to ensure it delivers the coupe-like performance folding hardtops offer when buttoned up. Featuring acoustic and thermal insulation, the multi-layered top can be opened and closed electronically while driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The cycle time is 20sec and even at 200km/h a "normal telephone conversation can be held," Benz claims.

The roof stows into its own compartment, therefore delivering a useable 300-litre boot capacity even when open. This can be increased to 390 litres if you choose to keep the roof up. There's through-loading for longer items to add to the amenity.

Like the E-Class sedan and coupe, a range of 135-285kW four, six and eight cylinder petrol powerplants and four and six-cylinder turbodiesels of up to 170kW will be offered in the Cabriolet in its home markets. While we'd expect Mercedes-Benz Australia to focus on the petrol engines locally, don't be surprised if it offers at least one turbodiesel option.

Safety takes a high priority in the new Cabriolet, says Mercedes. In addition to the bevy of new safety technologies pioneered in the W212 series E-Class sedan , the soft-top gets convertible-specific safety aids and structures. For example, the Cabriolet's windscreen frame (including the A-pillars) feature special reinforcements and rear roll-over protection comprises two 35mm diameter pop-up roll-over bars that, normally housed in the rear headrests, are actuated automatically when required. Side impact reinforcement is beefed up thanks to new 'plug-in' B-pillars, claims the company.

The Cabriolet is also the first Mercedes cabriolet to feature head bags. Incorporated into the door design, the bags deploy to a size of 700 x 500mm in the event of a crash, building on the protection provided by conventional seat-mounted side bags. Rear sidebags are available as an option in Europe but almost certainly will be standard equipment Down Under.

Mercedes will debut the E-Class cabriolet officially at the January 2010 North American International Auto Show. It's expected to hit local showrooms in May.

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