The tri-tone interior of the Mercedes-Benz E400 Cabrio is tastefully elegant. (Staff Photo by Mark Kennedy)Just my luck: Mercedes-Benz sent us a gorgeous E400 Cabriolet on the coldest week of the year.
It was 3 degrees one recent morning on Signal Mountain when I went out to fire up M-B's classy convertible - not exactly a temp that makes you want to drop the top and let your hair tousle in the wind.
To their credit, Mercedes-Benz engineers have done everything possible to make the E400 Cabriolet an all-season ride. On the traction side, our Diamond White Metallic tester comes equipped with the carmaker's 4MATIC all-wheel-drive system that snickered at a recent half-inch snowfall.
In addition to the requisite seat warmers, the M-B E400 Cabrio has optional neck warmers built into the headrests and armrest heaters to keep your forearms toasty warm. Still, no amount of furniture warmers can nullify sub-zero wind chills; so an open-air review will have to wait.
That's OK. Mercedes has fortified the all-season soft-top on the E-series Cabrio to the point that it's almost as quiet inside as a hardtop. That cabin isolation compliments the car's sublime drive-train and luxury touches. Seat massagers or aroma therapy anyone?
FAST FACTS
Model: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC CabrioletEngine: 3.0-liter, V-6, turbochargedFuel Economy: 25 mpg highway, 20 mpg cityLocal Dealer: Mercedes-Benz at Long of ChattanoogaPrice (as tested): $89,160
THE BASICS
The Mercedes-Benz E400 4MATIC Cabriolet is an all-wheel-drive, four passenger convertible with a 3.0-liter, V-6, turbocharged engine. It competes in the luxury convertible segment with the BMW 4-series convertible.
In the real world, the E400 Cabriolet is often a fun-and-sun vehicle for affluent buyers who already have a big SUV in the garage and want a sporty, drop-top to enjoy during the spring, summer and fall.
The E400 Cabrio shares a host of upgrades with the 2018 E-class sedan and wagon. For starters, it is five inches longer than before which translates to more interior volume. Still, the back seats are not built for long-haul trips with full-size adults.
The 329-horsepower engine, meanwhile, launches the E400 from zero to 60 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds.
WORTHWHILE OPTION: OK, maybe it's a bit over the top, but there is really no reason to turn down the $950, multi-contour, massaging front seats. If you are going to spend almost $90,000 for a car, why leave this indulgent option off the table.
IT'S GOOD FOR CHATTANOOGA BUYERS BECAUSE: There are few places in North America as well-suited for scenic, top-down driving as the Tennessee Valley. From the mountaintops to the Sequatchie Valley the area abounds in gorgeous, day-trip routes.
HOW MUCH: The base price of our tester is $68,800, but a host of options and packages boost the bottom line to $89,160. Mercedes-Benz at Long of Chattanooga at 6035 International Drive is the area dealer.
COOL STUFF: It's hard to top neck heaters, but we also like the remote-start feature that allows you to warm up your M-B in the driveway (careful, though, not the garage) without ever leaving your house.
WE WISH FOR: A retest in September.
WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING: Pay a visit to your local BMW dealer for other luxury convertible options.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com.