Loading up a car with tyre-frying power, for example requires input on the handling side of the ledger.
Likewise, a car that oozes technology can’t get by on gigabytes of driver aid technology; it also needs to draw the eye.
Mercedes- Benz has pushed the E class to the head of the class when it comes to outfitting a car with cutting edge technology, and the company’s coupe treatment may very well be the perfect foil for the smartest car it’s ever made.
Even though it’s based on the E-Class sedan, the extra dimensions of the coupe give it a definite point of difference.
Its 123mm of extra length equates to 113mm extra space between the wheels, and there’s also 74mm extra width overall.
Safety on E 300 is top notch. The E-Class is one of the safest cars on sale, combining a strong body with nine airbags and some of the most advanced driver aids you can find.
It has more crash-prevention features than just about any other convertible on sale, including driver aids capable of detecting drowsiness and an “evasive steering assist” function to help avoid dangerous obstacles.
Up front, the driver and passenger seats are slung very low in the car. The usual puzzling array of instrument stalks behind the wheel will bedevil those who haven’t driven a Merc before- and
occasionally those who have – while the large TFT screens that make up the dash and centre stack arrays are strictly a finger-free zone.
The screens themselves are brilliantly clear and easy to navigate, but it can be a trial to navigate via the scroll wheel or scribble pad when in a hurry, as
I experienced with my friend, when we left NW after the four –day Mahika Mahikeng music festival over the weekend that was successfully hosted.
Access to the rear is respectably straightforward, with a large aperture appearing behind the electrically sliding seats. The rear pews are wide and comfortable for larger occupants, though headroom is a compromise for anyone over 180cm or so.
Launched this year in Stuttgart-Germany it arrived in South Africa and raves are still in abundance.
Mercedes-Benz is completing its E-Class family with the new E-Class Cabriolet, it joins the sedan and coupe versions already on sale locally.
There are three models: namely the E 220d, standard for the E 300 and E 400 4 Matic.
All using the brand’s nine-speed automatic transmission.
For the first time, the Cabriolet is also available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive (E 400 4Matic).
The one I tested and caused heartaches –like literally so- boast rear wheel drive and employs a 2,0-litre turbocharged petrol mill worth 180 kW and 370 N.m. The 0-100 km/h dash takes a claimed 6,6 seconds, while claimed economy comes in at 7,2 L/100 km.
This ‘marriage-wrecker’ came in dark red multi-layered fabric soft-top that can be fully opened and closed in 20 seconds when travelling at a speed of up to 20 km/h.
Even the young –ones made their feelings known as they naughtily quipped ‘ wouldn’t mind being driven over by this car the policy will take care of the rest’ in disbelief I dropped my jaw…after attending a baptism ceremony in Daveyton , East Rand.
Chief or Kgosi Montshiwa –the Kingship of the Mahikeng clan ‘couldn’t hide his excitement’ as well.
With the roof open, the soft-top is stored in the boot, with a retractable cover separating it from the remaining luggage space.
Boot capacity comes in at 385 litres with the roof in place and 310 litres with the roof down, a snag indeed.
But who dare complains when E 300 Cabriolet is in motion/ motionless, hm?
Mercedes-Benz has completed its E-Class family with the new E-Class Cabriolet, as it joins the sedan and coupe versions already on sale in mzansi.
There are three models: namely the E 220d, standard for the E 300 and E 400 4Matic.
For the first time, the Cabriolet is also available with 4MATIC all-wheel drive (E 400 4Matic).
I’ve ran out of superlatives to describe this ‘beau’ suffice to admit the damage caused in Mahikeng will never be irreparable, stru…
Retail Price:
Mercedes-Benz E300 Cabriolet: R960 858
Verdict:
Performance (1-10) 9
Petrol (1-10) 8
