mercedes-benz E-class cabriolet driven through switzerland, france and italy

mercedes-benz E-class cabriolet test drive: european summer is here, and what better way of welcoming it than driving a high-calibre convertible from switzerland, across france, to italy and back. our ride for the two days was the new mercedes-benz ‘E-class cabriolet’, which was first unveiled at the 2017 geneva motor show. fittingly, the swiss city was the starting place for our test drive and the location for our first glimpse at the striking yet sensuously shaped car.

all images courtesy of daimler

‘its in another world,’ exclaims uwe haller, exterior designer of the mercedes-benz ‘E-class cabriolet’, when comparing the car to its predecessors. ‘its not only about how the design differs to the previous models, its also about how the design differs to the latest sedan.’ the 2018 convertible, even more so than the 2018 sedan, gives way to many of its edgy lines in favor for an ultra-clean, surface-accentuated form that presents sensuous purity. as well, elements of a hot and cool character are distinct with details such as an extra fender that shapes a completely unique side view.

its the front of the mercedes-benz ‘E-class cabriolet’ that steals the show and the stares of drivers and onlookers alike. the drawn-out bonnet with power bulges, flows down to the low-positioned and elongated diamond radiator grille, giving it a dynamic but equally elegant appearance. this aids the car’s powerful road stance, albeit also due to its increased proportions of 123mm in length and 74mm in width. following its sculpted shoulders to the rear, its larger and more expressive size enabled the designers to add extra muscle there. dynamism and grandeur is further displayed as its sporty rear is paired with slim LED tail lamps that evoke the glow of jet engines.

the differing design details, seen not only between the 2018 cabriolet and its predecessors but also the 2018 sedan, ‘gives the car this typical coupe feeling’. however, even from the elongated bonnet to the widened stance, its the classic fabric soft top that truly delivers this impression. the multilayered structure, which can completely open and close in 20 seconds, even at speeds up to 50 km/h (31 mph), was perfect for both calm, sunny open-top cruising and cloudy, windy ascents into the mont blanc mountain range. ensuring suitability for use all year round, the cabriolet enhances highly sophisticated insulation that, when closed, reduces wind and driving noise, as well as helping adjust climate comfort.

with the roof down, the exterior and interior of the mercedes-benz ‘E-class cabriolet’ complements harmoniously together. separated by an anodised, polished aluminum trim that surrounds the interior in a similar way to the decking of a yacht, the exterior styling of ‘clean surfaces with details of domes, vents and aircraft-like lights’ continue in the interior. when inside, the feeling of luxury is even more apparent than just its sporty character. the exceptionally high-quality materials, finishes and contemporary colors exude a stylish and top class appeal, which, once again, envisions the excellence of yachting. 

as well as nine different trim options, the sculpted seats offer its heat-reflecting leather in five colors. testing two of these combinations, the one which displayed its luxurious yet dynamic character most was the yacht blue and macchiato beige with high-gloss open-pore wood. the elegance of this landscape stretched from the side panels to meet below the seemingly hovering upper section of the dashboard, and above the sleek instrument cluster. this, as well as the multimedia system, can be operated with touch control buttons on the steering wheel, a touchpad that recognizes handwriting, the center console controller, the linguatronic voice control, and the direct-access buttons.

image © designboom

the cleanly sculptured interior, high-quality materials and multiple operations system ensures the mercedes-benz ‘E-class cabriolet’ provides impressive long distance comfort for all day driving. adding to this further, the car offers agility control and dynamic body control suspensions to deliver smooth and nimble handling, which was felt on both winding alpine roads and bumpy motorways alike. this is further supported with a range technology advancements to improve safety, including a head-up display (HUD) and the driving assistance package with active brake and lane assist.

image © designboom

along with complete comfort, excelling handling and sporty styling, the mercedes-benz ‘E-class cabriolet’ performs with great power. offering between 184 hp and 333 hp depending on the model chosen, the car felt effortless in reaching high speeds along the french highways and long scenic lanes. with its powerful yet easy to handle performance capabilities, the cabriolet lets the occupants focus on enjoying what we all really want; a true convertible experience.

image © designboom

image © designboom

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