“Open top Excellence”
There are certain vehicles you just want to like. As a car lover and enthusiast, they seem to check all the boxes. They have the right amount of performance, practicality and fun factor; for you to say I could own this vehicle and drive it every day. No other manufacturer makes a midsize luxury cabriolet. There is no equivalent A6, S6, A7 or S7 from Audi; no equivalent 5 Series BMW; nor Lexus, Acura or Infiniti. In fact Mercedes essentially offers a cabriolet for each of its offered sedans, the C-Class, E-Class and even the flagship S-Class. It’s the E-Class that slots into the middle and provides that like “a glove fit”.
How does Mercedes achieve this insurmountable feat? You start with a 3.0L Turbo in-line 6. It produces a healthy 362 horse power and 369 lb-ft of torque. Mercedes’ EQBoost 48 volt system can add a further 21 hp and 184 torques for short bursts. This power is translated into momentum through Mercedes 4Matic all-wheel-drive system pushing the cabriolet to 100 kilometres an hour in 5.2 seconds.
From the outside, if there was a colour combination that screams luxury, summer and class, it’s the combination of Mercedes Cirrus Silver Metallic, Navy soft top, and inside creamy Macchiato Beige and Yacht Blue leather. The E450 Cabriolet presents in a clean flowing line. The front fascia is more upright and is dominated by the A shape diamond grill. Overall, the E450 is an elegant 4 seat convertible that will allow its occupants to travel in style over long distances. To provide the maximum comfort the E450 Cabriolet comes with an AIRCAP electric draught-stop system and an AIRSCARF neck-level heating. The AIRCAP system consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around six centimetres with a net in the windscreen frame and a draught-stop between the rear seats. The wind deflector elevates the airflow, while the net raises the pressure level in the interior in a controlled manner, thus reducing the backflow, which is curbed and equalised by the draught-stop. Hence the air movements in the interior of the E-Class Cabriolet are reduced substantially, creating a sea of warm air: warm air flowing into the interior from the heating system remains there for much longer when AIRCAP is activated. Similarly, on extremely hot days, the air conditioning and AIRCAP allow the passengers to enjoy a pleasantly cool interior, even when the roof is open. The AIRSCARF system allows hot air flow from vents right below the seat headrest creating a virtual scarf of warm air to surround the occupants that makes for perfect drop top cruising even during our great northern winters.
As stated earlier, the creamy Macchiato Beige and Yacht Blue leather Natural Grain Grey Ash Wood makes this Cabriolet fit in at the Yacht Club. The interior is dominated by the dual 12.3” LCD instrument and infotainment screens. The upgraded twin spoke design wheel includes capacitive Touch Control buttons and a two-zone sensor mat located on the rim of the steering wheel. The wheel detects whether the driver’s hands are grasping the wheel. This system allows the vehicle to recognize that the driver is still in control without having to make active steering movements. The E450 also comes with host of safety features included semi-autonomous driving and augmented reality video navigation. Being the only and possible first at doing something gives you great deal of latitude. You don’t have competition to contend with. You don’t have to be the best or offer everything, because no one can complain the other guy does it better or gives them more. You rest comfortably in your solidarity. However, the E450 Cabriolet doesn’t take a chapter from this play book. It instead offers buyers a vehicle that isn’t a compromise or a secondary thought. A vehicle that reaches for excellence, despite not having the need to; combining first class materials and technology in an everyday usable package. No wonder the E-Class Mercedes snagged Motor Trends 2021 car of the year.
