Mercedes-Benz E 400 Cabriolet review, test drive

What is it like to drive?

In its last iteration, the E Cabriolet was sold in India with a 272bhp, 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine. The E 400 of today features a 3.0-litre, twin-turbo V6, so there’s quite a bit difference under the muscular hood. Vis-à-vis the E 350, power is up to 333bhp and torque is up from 36kgm to a rather impressive 49kgm.

Correspondingly, performance is now more sportscar than boulevard cruiser – 0-100kph comes up in a none too shabby 5.3 seconds (claimed). The E 400 feels energetic at just about all points on the rev range, a range that culminates at around 6200rpm. As always, there’s an ‘S’ mode too but it won’t let you hold gear and doesn’t quite speed up the occasionally slow seven-speed gearbox either. Still, the big E is effortless in the way it picks up speed and will simply lunge forward when pedal is made to meet metal. That it will do so while emitting a dignified snarl is rather addictive. Choose to drive a notch down and you’ll also fall for the genteel nature of the engine. It’s creamy smooth and only mildly purrs when not called into full blown action. The engine is a huge part of the reason the E 400 is such a relaxing car to drive.

That this is not a car meant to make lap records also comes across in the manner it goes around corners. It’s not what you’d call sharp but still very fluid and surefooted when changing directions. The steering is also precise yet light and easy in town. What makes the E 400 even more rounded is its ride quality. The big Merc feel as absorbent as your average German sedan on most surfaces which, for a car like this, is a huge compliment. However, sharp bumps do catch the E 400 out and you’ll even hear the odd creak from the convertible body on really bad stretches.

Otherwise, the E 400 Cabriolet impresses with its ability to keep outside noise where it belongs. With the fabric roof in place, the cabin is sufficiently quiet. Even with the roof down, wind noise and turbulence are adequately curtailed by a nifty deflector that rises atop the windscreen at speeds above 40kph.