SPY PICS: Benz plans E-Class soft-top

This mud-spattered four-seat cabriolet is sister to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe also snapped recently by the spy photographers at Carparazzi.

Likely to follow some time after the expected introduction of the new E-Class sedan and coupe at this year’s Geneva show in March, the new Benz cabrio eschews the current fixation with hardtop CC convertibles by using a folding soft-top roof sitting on the base two-door coupe structure.

Our spy team is of the opinion that the E-Class convertible is to join the hardtop CC convertible ranks but we’re here to say that’s not the case.

Although Benz has achieved a commendably smooth, curved roofline for the convertible, what can’t be denied is the seam running across the roof ahead of the floating-in-fabric rear window, or the stitched seam along the upper edges of the side windows. Or the lack of a jumbo-size, wrap over boot lid to accommodate folding metal panels.

As a replacement for the current CLK convertible Benz, the new E-Class based soft-top will offer a lot more stretching space for passengers thanks to a longer wheelbase and a significantly wider cabin.

It's expected the convertible will offer the same range of engines seen in the current C-Class, although it is not certain whether a diesel engine, which is on the wish list for the coupe, will make it into the convertible E-Class.

With the new E-Class sedan due here mid-year, and the coupe planned for local launch shortly afterwards, there’s no word yet when the cabrio could be expected. But a late 2009 arrival would make a nice summer Christmas present for Mercedes.

-- with Carparazzi