ZEEGNITION/Kurt Morris
We get behind the wheel of Mercedes Benz E-400 Cabriolet that has recently been launched in India
Mercedes has arguably been one of the first companies to induct 4-door convertibles in the world’s automobile market. Following its age old recipe, the German company is now introducing the new E-400 Cabriolet in India for the second time around.
The similarities between the E-Class sedan and Cabriolet are quite visible. From the front, both carry over updated DRL (day light running LED’s) headlamps. Other minor changes include new tail-lamps with LED detailing and a revised bumper that keeps the dual exhausts out of sight giving the E-400 a refreshed look without affecting its elegant looks. Details like the rear pontoon roof cover and the contrasting fabric roof ensure that people notice that it’s a convertible. But at the end of the day the car looks its best with its roof folded neatly into its boot. The roof takes just 18 seconds to be raised or lowered and can be operated on the move at speeds up to 40kmph.
The E-400 Cabriolet’s cabin is a pleasant place to be in with the roof up or down. It carries over bits of trim from its sedan sibling but there are some unique touches that set them apart. The car is furnished with rich leather, accented by double stitching that runs along the dash and continues onto the doors giving the cabin a plush feel. The E-400 also features the COMAND online infotainment system which syncs with your phone and uses its data connection to access online services like internet radio and social media feeds. Despite being useful the interface could be improved as it’s quite a task to input text.
The seat controls like all other Merc’s are door mounted and allow you to customize your lumbar and thigh support to best suit your driving position. It’s also one of the few available convertibles that has a usable back seat which is accessed by simply pulling a lever that folds down the front backrest and slides the seat forwards.
In India the E-400 Cabriolet will be offered with a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine that puts out 335PS of power. The car comes with a seven-speed gearbox that isn’t as responsive as other competitors’ but its smooth gear shifts ensure that it does the job of a boulevard cruiser rather well.
The car is by no means setup to be sporty so it won’t be breaking lap records any time soon. But the suspension setup is well balanced and makes for a comfortable and well planted ride especially at higher speeds. This big Merc is best suited for Indian roads as the suspension glides over small potholes and bumps with relative ease. Despite being a convertible, the E-400 Cabriolet is quiet on the inside with the roof up. Even with the roof down, wind noise and turbulence is reduced by the wind deflector that rises at speeds above 40kmph.
The E-400 Cabriolet will occupy a niche space in our luxury car market and comes with a steep price tag of Rs 78.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) due to it being a CBU (complete built unit). However it will surely be a unique car to own that offers you the fun of open top motoring and you can’t put a price on that!
