Mercedes: Smooth operator

Mercedes' E500 cabriolet has all the luxury of an E-class sedan in a more stylish package. Photo / Supplied

The E-Class cabriolet is back - and faces stiff competition from a raft of Euro drop-tops.

Its E-class underpinnings ensure it's a bigger car than the CLK cabrio it effectively replaces and it looks much the same as its siblings, particularly the coupe. Even the side profile is handsome, despite a fabric roof chosen to keep weight down - this car is just 120kg heavier than the equivalent hard-top.

Given winter rain, I spent most of my drive stint with that roof in place and enjoying the cabin's quiet; this could almost be a coupe. But it's equally impressive with the roof down.

You certainly stay warm, courtesy of climate control, heated seats and Airscarf, which shoots hot air from slots beneath the head rests. It also uses "Aircap", a deflector in the windscreen frame and a draught stop between the rear seats that Merc says will prevent wind and wind noise in the cabin at up to 160km/h. Certainly I found it effective - my long and hairspray-free hair barely riffled. But unruffled progress is what this car is all about, for it's a luxury GT, not a true sports car - just look at that big steering wheel.

So there's a cosseting ride from the three-link front, multi-link rear suspension; a quiet cabin; and enough fitments and fittings to underline you've spent money on this car. That means cruise control with auto-following; park control; a rear-view camera; a drowsiness detector; auto headlights; a TV tuner; heated and cooled seats and much, much more.

All that - and you can have fun in this car, too.

Pick up the pace and you'll find its 51:49 front-to-rear balance imparts a delightful natural agility. It takes corners with surgical precision, assisted by the dynamic dampers and speed-sensitive steering.

There's also a stirring hint that the powerful engine might just take control of the rear, though the stability control soon gathers you up.

Yet despite its undoubted competence and minimal flex for a drop-top, this car never really feels nimble, which is not that surprising given its 1840kg weight.

That it isn't as hardcore as the engine might suggest won't disturb its buyers, nor will the fact this engine is no longer new.

They'll enjoy the muffled burble of the 5.4-litre V8, how well it's matched to the seven-speed auto and the rapid acceleration it delivers. And they'll definitely appreciate all the luxury of an E-class sedan in a more stylish package.

MERCEDES E500 CABRIOLET
We like
Unruffled luxury roof up or down; the engine's flexibility; that the two well-shaped rear seats can carry real people - albeit compact ones

We don't like
Rear window overly blocks vision

Performance
0-100km/h in 5.3 seconds, 11l/100km

Powertrain
5.4-litre fuel-injected V8, 285kW at 6000rpm, 530Nm from 2800 to 4800rpm, seven-speed auto drives rear wheels

Safety
Nine airbags, ESP, ABS, brake assist, drowsiness detector, rear-view camera, pedestrian protection

What it's got
Cruise control with auto following, heated and cooled seats, Airscarf, keyless start, AMG sports pack, Harmon Kardon surround-sound system, auto headlights, TV tuner and more

Vital stats
4698mm long, 390-litre boot (300 with the roof down), 66-litre tank