Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet
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Mercedes-Benz
8th March, 2010
- Comfortable: AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop plus AIRSCARF®
- Quiet: acoustic soft top as standard
- Safe: robust roll-over protection and new headbags
The highly appealing and emotionally charged Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful Mercedes-Benz
E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which went on sale in Europe during January 2010, features a
classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling. Viewed from the side, the new model is an
intriguing proposition – with its clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette.
In keeping with the motto "four seasons, four passengers", all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the
developers' list of priorities. With the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet, the cabriolet season lasts the whole
year because, while many cabriolets tend to disappear from the roads of Western Europe in the autumn, the new
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/breadth/height: 4,698/1,786/1,402 mm) provides driving pleasure and comfort
whether the roof is open or closed.
New features include:
- The AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop: always on board and easily controllable at the push of a button, it reduces
turbulence substantially for all four seat occupants
- The modified AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system
- The acoustic soft top fitted as standard
The soft-top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds – even when driving at speeds of up to
40 km/h. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates
the soft-top compartment from the boot area; it must be closed in order to close the soft-top. If the roof is to
remain closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, in which case the boot capacity is increased by 90 litres to 390
litres. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the new Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY – a manually
operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.
The powerplants for the new E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the new direct-injection diesel and petrol
models combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption has not only
been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand
activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control
system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements, plus the
crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics. The Cabriolet's cd figure of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a
continuation of the E-Class success story in the field of aerodynamics.
An overview of the engines:
· E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 150 kW/204 hp
· E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 170 kW/231 hp
· E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 150 kW/204 hp
· E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 215 kW/292 hp
· E 500 Cabriolet: 285 kW/388 hp
Less turbulence, easier to use: AIRCAP® is a world-first
In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the SL model series, followed
in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to further enhance comfort in open-top models. Now comes another
world-first: the AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces
turbulence in the interior of the new Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, providing a sea of warm air. It is also much easier
to implement and use than conventional draught-stops: there is no tricky installation, the two individual rear seats
remain free and the Cabriolet's flowing side lines remain uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is therefore a classic Mercedes
innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe.
AIRCAP® 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 functions of the two components:
- Elevation of the free flow above the interior
- Net at the front increases the basic pressure in the interior
- Draught-stop at the rear reduces the backflow
As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draught when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be
activated at speeds of up to 160 km/h and remains in use right up to the car's top speed) reduces the interior noise
level – so passengers in all seats find it far easier to communicate.
The Cabriolet Comfort package includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®. This patented system functions like an invisible
scarf, which warms the occupants' head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the front seats
and provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.
The Mercedes engineers have modified this unique innovation specifically for the E-Class Cabriolet: in this model,
an adjustment wheel pivots the outlet nozzle upwards and downwards by a total of 36 degrees over and above the head
restraint height adjustment, meaning that the driver and front passenger can enjoy the unique neck-level heating
regardless of how short or tall they are.
Quiet, warm and windproof: acoustic soft-top fitted as standard
Thanks to its acoustic soft-top, fitted as standard, even the closed E-Class Cabriolet has one of the quietest
interiors in the segment for four-seater premium cabriolets with a fabric roof. The soft-top's exceptionally
high-quality insulation brings about a clearly noticeable reduction in the interior noise level compared to
conventional fabric soft-tops. Exterior noise caused by other vehicles and wind noise are therefore absorbed more
effectively. On the road, the difference is audible from speeds of just 80 km/h, for example when driving through a
tunnel or overtaking a convoy of trucks. At higher speeds, the benefits of the acoustic soft-top are even more
tangible. For instance, it is possible to have a perfectly normal phone conversation in hands-free mode even when
travelling at a speed of over 200 km/h (where legal, of course).
The soft-top is, of course, waterproof and windproof. Plus it can be put through an automatic carwash without any
hesitation. With a total thickness of 23.5 mm, the fabric soft top offers excellent thermal insulation, meaning that
the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is also ideal for use in winter.
Safety: robust structure, anticipatory protection and window-bags
The new E-Class Cabriolet offers the wealth of safety innovations one would expect from a Mercedes model.
Highlights of the open-top two-door model include roll-over protection, the A-pillars reinforced by two additional
tubes and the plug-in B-pillars. This new model is also the first Mercedes cabriolet to feature headbags.
The roll-over protection consists of two robust bars, each with a diameter of 35 mm, which are housed in the rear
head restraints in modules behind the rear seat backrests. A tilting cone sensor detects imminent danger to the
occupants based on extreme skidding movements or acceleration caused by impact. If this sensor then sends a
corresponding signal, pre-tensioned pressure springs are activated by pyrotechnic means, i.e. extremely quickly.
Consequently, both roll-over bars in the rear head restraints are extended. They reach their highest point and are
locked automatically within a fraction of a second. In combination with the robust A-pillars, each of which is
reinforced with two high-strength steel tubes, the steel bars provide highly effective roll-over protection.
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The plug-in B-pillars are extremely robustly connected as they engage in the side skirts, thus offering highly
effective protection in the event of a crash. A shoe made from ultra-high-strength steel braces the inside of the
B-pillar against the rear seat crossmember.
With seven airbags fitted as standard, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for all seats, not to mention
crash-responsive head restraints for the driver and front passenger, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet
offers the most extensive safety equipment package in this vehicle category. The airbags, which can deploy in
milliseconds in the event of an accident, include front airbags and sidebags for the driver and front passenger,
a kneebag on the driver's side, and headbags. The latter, which appear in a Mercedes cabriolet for the first time,
are housed in the door panelling in the beltline area. Covering a wide area – around 0.7 x 0.5 metres with a
volume of 17 litres when deployed – the airbags provide extremely effective protection for occupants large and
small in the event of a crash. The three-part side protection system – comprising headbag and thoraxbag –
optimises the level of protection afforded to individual parts of the body. Rear sidebags are available as an
option.
Further exemplary safety equipment available for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet includes ATTENTION ASSIST
drowsiness detection, PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant protection, the sophisticated Intelligent Light System, the
Active Bonnet and DISTRONIC PLUS proximity control.
Australian Availability
The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class cabriolet is due for local launch in the May/June period.
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