WHAT IS IT?

The fifth and final model to complete the Mercedes-Benz E-Class family alongside sedan, Estate, Coupe and All-Terrain. Just two variants will initially be on offer including the most affordable E300 and this; the E400 4Matic.

WHY WE’RE TESTING IT

Finding an Australian audience for convertible cars of any type has always proved a challenge regardless of the brand, but Mercedes has long held a principle that if it can offer its customers more choice then it will.

MAIN RIVALS

The BMW 640i convertible is a little more expensive but beyond that there are no clear competitors that match the Merc on price, performance and size.

It’s unlikely anyone is cross-shopping the Ford Mustang GT convertible with the Mercedes, and Maserati’s Gran Cabrio competes in another niche of a very different price bracket. If you’re after a four-seat convertible in this price range then you had better hope the E-Class convertible is a decent machine.

THE WHEELS VERDICT

As a coupe, the E-Class is an extremely strong performer despite clamoring for space and attention in a busy Australian luxury car market. But offering a convertible version has always posed a risk of losing the taught characteristics of a hard-topped sports car.

Not only does it lose little in the way of driving enjoyment, the recipe of silky six coupled to grippy all-paw traction makes more sense for a car in which tyre-squealing powerslides would appear uncouth to the neighbors.

THE WHEELS REVIEW

WITH top skinned in tin, the Mercedes-Benz E400 Coupe strikes an admirable balance of typical Benz everyday tractability and practicality for the day-to-day grind, and sporty effervescence when the B-road beckons, wrapped up in knee-weakening looks, but many an accomplished coupe has fallen foul when a can-opener has been taken to its roof.

Fortunately, that certainly isn’t the case with the new Mercedes E400 4Matic, which now joins the E-Class range alongside its sedan, Coupe, Estate (wagon) and All-Terrain brethren.

Its nine-speed automatic transmission predicts gear-changes with eerie intuitiveness, the reported zero to 100km/h dash of 5.5 seconds is entirely believable, its steering has lost nothing of the fluidity and precision of the coupe and the traction of four-wheel drive makes every one of its kilowatts accessible without breaking a sweat.

Occupant comfort scores highly as well with Mercedes’ Airscarf front passenger neck warmers that are as comforting as a hug, complemented by hardcore seat heaters that can actually sting on their most radiant setting.

The extensive selection of comfort kit allows roof-down fun to continue even when the weather tries its hardest to intervene, but when the fabric top must be closed the cabin offers impressive noise and heat insulation from the elements and clever features such as rear seat interior lighting sewn into the roof remind you you’re in something premium. We also managed to get it to operate at nearly 70km/h which is high for any convertible, especially a parachute-topped fabric roof.

SPECS

Model: Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabriolet Engine: 2996cc V6, dohc, 32v turbo Max power: 245kW Max torque: 480Nm Transmission: 9-speed automatic Weight: 1935kg 0-100km/h: 5.5sec (claimed) Economy: 8.7L/100km Price: $157,500 On sale: now