Cars Reviews the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

 

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class L - Interior Picture

 

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class L - Right Side Picture

Specially tailored for the growing market for luxury saloons in China, the model is even better positioned to meet the requirements of the Chinese market in this segment. With a length of 5,012 millimeters and a wheelbase of 3,014 millimeters, the new model for China has gained an extra 140 millimeters in both of these areas compared with other the saloon models.

Unique features include the PRE-SAFE occupant protection system, Rear Seat Safety package with belt force limiters on the outer seats and rear side airbags, as well as ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection. A luggage compartment volume of 540 liters and a compact turning circle of 11.25 meters also represent class-leading values for this segment.

From launch, at the time of its commercial release inJune2010, the new E-Class L offers a choice of two refined petrol engines producing 150 kW (204 hp) and 180 kW (245 hp). These engines feature high pulling power in the form of the E 260 CGI Blue Efficiency , using the latest direct injection technology, and E 300, offered with automatic transmissions that are ideally suited to the respective engine characteristics. Additional engine variants are expected to become available at a later date.

Appointments of Mercedes-Benz E-Class L include E260 CGI ELEGANCE, E260 CGI ADVANTAGE and E300 ADVANTAGE. These three appointment lines will be available when it launches in China. 

Vehicle Highlights

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class lineup expands with the addition of a diesel sedan, as well as new convertible and station wagon body styles. The 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe versions of Mercedes' premium-mid size car see no major changes. Reprising their roles are the V6-powered E350 and V8-powered E550. Also offered is the high-performance E63 sedan, which is tuned by Mercedes' AMG performance arm. New for 2011 is the turbo diesel E350 Blue TEC sedan. The coupe and convertible come only as the E350 and E550. Gas E350s have a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, E550s a 382-horsepower 5.5-liter V8, and the E63 a 518-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. The E350 Blue TEC has a 210-horsepower 3.0-liter turbo diesel V6. A 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all E-Class models. All coupe, sedan, and convertible models have rear-wheel drive. E350 and E550 sedans offer Mercedes' 4MATIC all-wheel drive. The station wagon is AWD only and has the gasoline V6 engine.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, anti skid system, curtain-side airbags, front-side airbags, rear-side airbags, hip-protecting side airbags, and a driver-knee airbag. Mercedes' driver-adjustable air suspension is standard on the E550 sedan. Available features on the E-Class include adaptive high-beam headlights, which use a camera designed to recognize oncoming traffic and adjusts lamp intensity between low and high beams. Also available are a night-vision system and Mercedes' active multi-contour seats with massage function. Other options available on most models include a navigation system, rear-view camera, electronic trunk closer, key less access and engine start, and adaptive cruise control. The sedan's optional Sport Package includes specific wheels and trim. The convertibles are available with Mercedes' AIR SCARF, which blows warm air across the necks of front-seat occupants. Making its debut on the E-Class Cabriolet is a feature that Mercedes calls AIRCAP. It consists of two parts: A 2.4-inch-deep net built into the windshield frame as well as a draft-stop between the rear seats. They're designed to work together to reduce wind buffeting in the cabin. Evaluations of the E-Class coupe and sedan are based on the 2010 model.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium-Mid size Cars sport interior dimensions similar to Mid size Cars. Premium-Mid size Cars offer more luxury, performance, and prestige when compared to Mid size Cars. 

Guide Review - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E350 Cabriolet

Most of the factors that endeared the E-Class sedan to me have made it over to the E convertible: Handsome styling, first-class interior appointments, and a great selection of useful techno-gadgets. Handling is excellent and the turning circle is amazingly small, although the ride isn't as smooth as the four-door's due to the shorter wheelbase. Though hard-top convertibles are in vogue, the E-Class uses a good old-fashioned fabric top. Not that you'd know from inside: With the top up, my E350 tester was as quiet as any metal-roof convertible I've driven. With the top down and the windows up, I could easily carry on a conversation with my passenger or listen to an audio book on the stereo. And you can raise and lower the top at speeds up to 25 MPH, a huge convenience.

Convertibles require extra chassis bracing to make up for the stiffness normally provided by the roof. Mercedes did a great job; top up or down, the E350 Cabriolet feels as stiff as the sedan and weight gain from the extra bracing is moderate, which means the 268 hp V6 in the E350 provides more than adequate power. (For those who need more speed, the E550 packs a 382 hp V8.) 

Cars Reviews the 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is the newest edition to the redesigned E-Class family, joining a recently launched sedan and coupe from last year. Usually when you chop the roof off of a car to make a convertible some structural rigidity is lost, and that has happened here, according to Cars.com editor Mike Hanley. We test-drove a V-8 model and a V-6 model. Find out whether this pricey convertible has what it takes to compete with the BMW 650i and Jaguar XK convertible, and if the V-8 is worth an extra $8,000.