Through the production halls of Mercedes currently blowing a breath of fresh air. To A-and E-Class, the wind of change has now also caught the E-Cabriolet and the E-coupe. As of June, the models are refreshed at the dealership, we have a first round in a convertible with a new E 400 is rotated six-cylinder engine.
northern Germany in May. The sky is overcast, the temperature required during normal man a sweater, the convertible drivers additionally a jacket. So attracted all the suitcase so hergibt and pressed the button for the unobstructed upward. Speaking suitcase: Although the fits easily in up to 390 liters of luggage space, but must be pretty shallow to swim through under the roof can.
But back to the soft top. This can be opened and closed while driving at speeds below 40 km / hr. At the same tempo will request the so-called Aircap on. The blade is designed to reduce turbulence in the driving wind and thus the noise in the interior. Below 15 km / h, they will disappear in the active mode again automatically under the windscreen. Schick is the Aircap system only partially, this effectively. Anyone who still freezes, the neck-level heating built into the test car Airscarf guaranteed. Which is part of the headrest, and thus adjustable in height, as well as the wind deflector is located between the columns.
in the city are the 333 hp and 480 Newton meters of torque hearty promise more than useful. After all, the standard start-stop system takes care of the lights dance to acceptable fuel consumption. Which lie in the theory of the standard cycle at an average of 7.6 liters for the six-cylinder with twin turbocharger. At the next red light stop is time to take a closer look at interior design. Dashboard and dials were pimped in the center of the instrument panel flaunts a - familiar from the S-Class - analog clock.
In terms of safety and assistance systems one has served in the (upcoming) S-Class. Thus, for example, allows a 360-degree camera, the virtual bird's eye view on the open Swabia and retains all four sides of the vehicle in view. But that is only the top of a long list of technical brownies, as there also are: a steering assist, brake assist, which can also detect cross traffic and pedestrians for the first time, a brake which brakes in an emergency by itself, a lane departure warning, automatic A and Ausparkprogramm, a traffic sign recognition and much more. Who wants support while driving, feels in the E-Class as the land of plenty, but milk and honey are not distributed free of charge here: The Driver Assistance package Plus is for example € 2,678.
with Hamburg in the rearview mirror, the V6 is slow cheerful. While he does, as known from other Mercedes models, the kickdown a commemorative second, but then makes the decision for rapid acceleration. The sprint from zero to 100 succeeds in 5.3 seconds to 250 km / h electronically limited. While the E-Class sedan even fights with the reputation of retired Barrow, proves the convertible that I can also make driving extremely fun. The chassis from Convertible and Coupe is designed sporty, on air suspension has been omitted. This makes the ride a little rougher than you would expect from the Swabians before, but this comfort is not really lost. The electromechanical Direct-Steer system leads to precisely the curves E 400, the variable ratio prevents excessive dogfight. Stuttgart is the only open once in motion, it accelerates effortlessly and continuously, the motor hums while pithy but never intrusive to himself.
addition to the E 400 are five other petrol engines with four to eight cylinders and 184-408 hp and three 170-252 hp diesel ready to drive. New to the lineup are the four-cylinder engine. They meet - like the E 400 - the Euro-6 standard. That everything has its price. For the E 400 Convertible the Swabians require at least € 60,631, € 56,109 for the coupe, after all. The entry prices are at 47,600 euros for the Stuttgart-open, closed his twin's from 42,662 euros.
Back in Hamburg, then briefly put on the back seat. Two adults will find plenty of space for the legs, the head, it's something close to open-top driving is hereby recommended. When parting a last look at the convertible. That is actually hidden under the body of a C-class, just know who pulls out the measuring tape. The redesigned front with under a glass headlights combined one knows in a similar form of the sedan, the front bumper with large air intakes and the sports car grill are an asset. The portly rear can make a little more sporty with a double-flow exhaust system, a total into a nice sight. The fresh wind in the workshops was also the star of the E-Class dusted a little.