Photo: S.Baldauf/SB-Medien
Fewer and fewer people are aware of this, but there hasn't been a true E-Class Coupe or Cabriolet model in the Mercedes-Benz lineup since July 1997, when the A124 generation of the E-Class Cabrio went out of production.
Instead of being replaced by direct successors, there were two generations of the CLK that succeeded the two-door versions of the E-Class. Moreover, when the “E” nameplate returned for these variants, it was only to signify a pricing, engines and features connection with the sedan, strangely included on a different platform.
That's right, the C207 and A207 generation of the E-Class Coupe and Cabrio have more in common with the smaller C-Class than with the E-Class sedan. Even the wheelbase is identical to that of the C-Class Coupe C204.
Fast forward to 2016, and Mercedes-Benz looks like it has realized its mistake and will make the upcoming mid-size coupe and convertible true E-Classes.
This is not the first time that we've seen the 2018/2019 E-Class Cabrio testing on public roads, but it seems that the stripping procedure has finally started, with a lot less camouflage being visible on the pre-production prototype that we spotted.
Despite being significantly larger and more accommodating than its C-Class-based predecessor, the new drop-top E-Class is set to lose a few pounds, This is will happen mainly thanks to the aluminum-intensive MRA (Modular Rear-wheel-drive Architecture) platform, which is ironically also used by the current S-Class, E-Class and… C-Class.
It is expected that the four passengers will still be cocooned by the fancy AirScarf and AirCap systems, meaning that driving with the top down in cold weather won't be as bad as with other convertible.
Engine-wise, it hasn't been confirmed yet, but we are expecting both the Coupe and the Cabrio to be launched with the new generation of modular engines from Mercedes-Benz, including the all-new inline-sixes with 48-Volts mild-hybrid technology.
The drop-top should be unveiled approximately one year after the fixed-roof model, which is set to debut in about six months as a MY2017, if not even sooner.
That's right, the C207 and A207 generation of the E-Class Coupe and Cabrio have more in common with the smaller C-Class than with the E-Class sedan. Even the wheelbase is identical to that of the C-Class Coupe C204.
Fast forward to 2016, and Mercedes-Benz looks like it has realized its mistake and will make the upcoming mid-size coupe and convertible true E-Classes.
This is not the first time that we've seen the 2018/2019 E-Class Cabrio testing on public roads, but it seems that the stripping procedure has finally started, with a lot less camouflage being visible on the pre-production prototype that we spotted.
Despite being significantly larger and more accommodating than its C-Class-based predecessor, the new drop-top E-Class is set to lose a few pounds, This is will happen mainly thanks to the aluminum-intensive MRA (Modular Rear-wheel-drive Architecture) platform, which is ironically also used by the current S-Class, E-Class and… C-Class.
It is expected that the four passengers will still be cocooned by the fancy AirScarf and AirCap systems, meaning that driving with the top down in cold weather won't be as bad as with other convertible.
Engine-wise, it hasn't been confirmed yet, but we are expecting both the Coupe and the Cabrio to be launched with the new generation of modular engines from Mercedes-Benz, including the all-new inline-sixes with 48-Volts mild-hybrid technology.
The drop-top should be unveiled approximately one year after the fixed-roof model, which is set to debut in about six months as a MY2017, if not even sooner.
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