Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Mercedes-Benz has confirmed it will build an X-Class pickup truck for world markets with production starting late 2017-but the German automaker hasn’t confirmed it will bring the pickup to Canadian roads. We will still vote for the Cabriolet as the two offerings have a similar silhouette but the Cabrio takes the appeal a notch higher than the Coupe.

The E-class Cabriolet features a multi-layered canvas-top for enhanced refinement on the move.

The model still features a fabric soft top, which the automaker says can be opened and closed in 20 seconds while driving at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. It’s longer by a significant 123mm at 4,826mm, wider by 74mm (with tracks up 67mm and 68mm for front and rear respectively) plus it boasts a much increased wheelbase, 123mm longer at 2,873mm. The new Cabriolet also offers the choice of four-wheel drive – a first for a Mercedes convertible.

Safety technologies offered in the E-Class Cabriolet include active brake assist, five airbags with optional curtain airbags and rear side airbags, as well as a roll-over protection system.

The Cabriolet’s interior architecture is shared with the E-Class Coupe, which means high-quality materials and touches like metal turbine-style air vents.

Like most large soft-top vehicles, the fabric roof is stowed in a collapsible compartment in the boot. The infotainment also comes with an optional Car Play and Android Auto connectivity options. Since then Mercedes has added Estate, Coupe, and All-Terrain models to the line-up, which only leaves one bodystyle yet to put in an appearance.

In addition, Mercedes-Benz India also wants to convince their customers of the “total cost of ownership”, “Buyers should realise that if a vehicle costs more it will also have more residual value”, Folger mentioned before showcasing the carmaker’s new “My Mercedes, My Service” scheme. As the roof does go down giving plenty of sky, Mercedes has included the new Aircap and Airscarf system that deflects wind and keep warm air in the cabin for those chilly, open-top drives. Eventually we may see some AMG-fettled models, too, with V6 or V8 petrol engines providing epic performance.

The new long wheelbase (LWB) E-Class is longer from its standard version by 140 millimetres in both the wheelbase (3,079 millimetres) and length (5,063 millimetres), the company said in a statement.