2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet History, Options and Pricing

22 April 2010 | JDavis

Cabriolet was originally a French verb that meant “to cavort” or “cut a caper,” but in the 1700s, the term came to be used to describe “a light, two-wheeled horse carriage with a folding leather top.” Later, any carriage for hire became known as a “cab,” hence today’s synonym for a taxi. In the late 1800s, the first motor vehicles were all open cars, with no tops at all. As automobiles developed in the early 1900s, most were still convertibles.

Cabriolet – a Four-Seat Convertible

As the automotive industry evolved through the 1900s, the term “Cabriolet” acquired a specific meaning – a convertible that seats at least four people, in other words, a convertible with a real back seat. While Mercedes-Benz produced some of the world’s most collectible convertibles and Cabriolets across a 120-year history, its modern era began with the launch of the 1993 E-Class Cabriolet, its first four-seat convertible in several decades. A slightly smaller CLK Cabriolet followed in 1999, and a second-generation CLK Cabriolet line was offered through the 2009 model year.

The Ninth-Generation E-Class

The 2011 E-Class Cabriolet joins the all-new E-Class lineup – which debuted last year as the ninth generation of the company’s highly successful model range, with a total of more than 10 million E-Class vehicles produced over the past 70-plus years. Packed with useful, new safety technology, the E-Class is likely to become another industry trend-setter, and now with a full range of cabriolet, wagon, sedan and coupe models, the lineup should appeal to more consumers than ever.

Four Seasons, Four Seats

The two-door, four-seat Cabriolet boasts a classic fabric soft top, with year-round comfort, thanks to a number of innovative features:

Its three-layer convertible top is insulated for low noise and comfort, even in very cold or hot weather.
With the top down, the new AIRCAP system works at the push of a button to reduce noise, drafts and air turbulence for all four occupants.
Through outlets in the front headrests, the enhanced AIRSCARF system can blow heated air directly on the neck area to keep occupants surprisingly warm in cool weather.

The convertible top can be opened or closed in 20 seconds, even at speeds up to 25 mph. The soft top is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear seats. When the roof is up, the panel between the top stowage area and the trunk can slide to the rear, increasing the trunk capacity by 30 percent.

Two Versatile Engines for the E-Class Cabriolet

The E350 Cabriolet uses the latest four-valve-per-cylinder V6 engine that produces 268 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque. The E550 Cabriolet model is powered by a 32-valve 5.5-liter V8 delivering 382 horsepower and 391 lb.-ft. of torque. Both engines feature double-overhead-cam architecture with variable valve timing and a two-stage intake manifold for increased low-speed power.

For better fuel mileage, both the V6 and V8 powerplants use new systems that minimize engine power needed to drive the alternator, power steering pump and electric fuel pump, plus intake tumble flaps and state-of-the-art engine management.

Astonishing Safety Innovations

Among the Cabriolet’s many standard life-saving features is an innovative “Attention Assist” system which couples a highly-sensitive steering sensor with intelligent software that can identify behaviors that drivers make as they begin to get drowsy. Elegant in its simplicity, the system senses drowsiness and alerts the driver. Contrasting examples of trailblazing innovations include optional automatic emergency braking, which is activated if a collision is likely, and adaptive high beams that use a small windshield-mounted camera to control high-low beam operation automatically. This system also provides a soft transition from low to high beam.

2011 E350 / E550 Cabrio Option Pricing

Premium 1 Package (P01): $4,000

iPod/ MP3 Media Interface
Rearview Camera
AIRSCARF
COMAND w/ Hard-Drive Navigation
SIRIUS Satellite Radio
harman/kardon Surround-Sound System
Heated Front Seats

Premium 2 Package (P02): $6,450

Heated & Active Ventilated Front Seats
Bi-Xenon Lighting Package
KEYLESS-GO

Appearance Package (321): $1,990/1,270

3-Spoke Sport Steering Wheel (V8 only)
Multicontour Front Seats
Shift Paddles (std. V8)
Agility Control Sport Suspension (V6 only)
18″ AMG Twin 5-Spoke Alloy Wheel
Cross-drilled Brake Rotors (std. V8)
Rubber-studded Pedals

DISTRONIC PLUS Package (997): $2,650

PARKTRONIC (with Parking Guidance)
DISTRONIC PLUS (with PRE-SAFE® Brake)

Wood Trim Package (318): $760

Wood / Leather Shift Knob
Wood / Leather Steering Wheel
Shift Paddles (std. V8)

Stand Alone Options:

Rear Side Airbags $420
Mbrace $660
Heated Front Seats $750
Illuminated Door Sills $840
Rear Spoiler $400
Metallic Paint $720
Premium Leather $1,370

2011 E350 / E550 Cabrio Standard Equipment

Comfort/Convenience

3-Layer sound-dampening soft-top
AIRCAP automatic wind deflector
Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control with Dust Filter
10-Way power front seats with 4-way power lumbar support
3-stage memory for driver’s seat, power steering column, and exterior mirrors
3-Spoke Premium Leather Multifunction Steering Wheel
6-Disc CD/MP3/AM/FM/Weatherband Radio
8-Speaker Sound System with Auxiliary Input
Bluetooth Connectivity for Hands-free Phone Use
7″ COMANDscreen w/Central Controller
Burl Walnut Trim
Front and Rear Cupholders
Power Tilt & Telescoping Steering Column
Cruise Control
Rain-sensing Intermittent Wipers
Power Windows with Express Up and Down
Automatic Headlamps with Twilight Sensor and Locator Lighting
Paired Daytime Running Light and Fog Light
Through-loading feature above rear armrest

Performance/Handling

E350 Cabrio

90-degree V6 engine
268 Horsepower @ 6,000 RPM
258 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,400 – 5,000 RPM
7-Speed Driver Adaptive Automatic Transmission w/Touch Shift
Front suspension: 3-link independent strut-type with stabilizer bar
Rear suspension: multi-link independent with stabilizer bar
Dual exhaust with oval chrome outlets
AGILITY CONTROL Suspension

E550 Cabrio

90-degree V8 engine
382 Horsepower @ 6,000 RPM
391 lb-ft of Torque @ 2,800 – 4,800 RPM
7-Speed Driver Adaptive Automatic Transmission w/Touch Shift
Front suspension: 3-link independentstrut-type with stabilizer bar
Rear suspension: multi-link independentwith stabilizer bar
Perforated front brake discs and painted calipers with Mercedes-Benz lettering
Dual exhaust with trapezoidal chrome outlets
Sport bodystyling
Dynamic Handling Suspension

Safety/Security

ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness monitor
Brake hold function
New Vehicle 4 year/50,000 Mile Warranty
24 hr. Roadside Assistance Program
Owner Information Kit
Mercedes-Benz Maintenance System
Steel Reinforced Cabin w/Front & Rear Crumple Zones
Dual Two Stage Front Airbags
Head Protection Curtains
Side Airbags Mounted in Front Seat Backrests
Dual Front Pelvic Airbags
Drivers Knee Airbag
NECK-PRO Active Front Head Restraints4-Wheel ABS Disc Brakes with Brake Assist System
Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR)
LATCH-Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children
Antitheft Alarm with Engine Immobilizer
SmartKey with Panic Button
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Front & rearseatbelts with pre-tensioners & force limiters