Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Mercedes-Benz’s new 2018 E-Class Cabriolet will try to summon the sun in Geneva

Ronan Glon
By

The star of the Mercedes-Benz booth at next week’s Geneva Auto Show will be the brand-new 2018 E-Class Cabriolet.

The drop-top is the final body style to join the E-Class family, and it’s all but identical to the Coupe that debuted in Detroit earlier this year, from the rocker panels up to the belt line. Above that, it boasts a power-operated cloth soft top that opens or closes in 20 seconds at up to 30 mph.

Recommended Videos

The new Cabriolet stands out from its predecessor with a more fluid design that has fewer angles. It’s also longer, wider, and a little bit taller than the outgoing model, and it boasts sportier proportions. Standard 18-inch alloy wheels fill the flared wheel arches, while the list of optional features includes an LED Intelligent Light System that puts on a light show as the driver approaches or leaves the vehicle. Clearly, the E-Class Cabriolet was developed to make an entrance.

Related

It’s more of a driver’s car, too. Until Mercedes introduces its new straight-six engine, power for the E-Class Cabriolet is provided by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine rated at 329 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. The six spins the rear wheels through a nine-speed automatic transmission, though Mercedes’ 4Matic all-wheel drive system is available at an extra cost for the first time ever.

Vents integrated into the seatbacks keep the front occupants warm, so they can leave the top down even if 4Matic takes them to Vail, Colorado, in the middle of January. The optional, segment-exclusive Warmth and Comfort package brings heating to the door armrests, center console, steering wheel, and rapid-heating front seats.

The Cabriolet offers leather-upholstered seating for four passengers, and like all E-Classes, it benefits from the latest tech, comfort, and luxury features. These include a 12.3-inch display for the infotainment system, touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel, car-to-x communication, and Pre-Safe Sound, which protects the occupants ears in the event of a crash.

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabriolet will arrive in showrooms before the end of the year. Look for a pricing announcement before then.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ronan Glon
Ronan Glon
Contributor
Ronan Glon is an American automotive and tech journalist based in southern France. As a long-time contributor to Digital…
Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more
Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs
Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.

Read more
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more