2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class drops top but not expectations

Looking back, luxury convertibles were practically invented when the first horseless carriage hit the street. The Mercedes, first marketed in 1901 by Daimler, could be credited as one of the first automobiles, and guess what? No Top. With that kind of history, there are certain expectations around luxury vehicles that can run topless, especially those build by Mercedes-Benz.

For 2011, Mercedes-Benz continues the luxury convertible tradition with the E-Class Cabriolet. The new E-Class cab replaces the CLK convertible that ceased production in 2009, and promises to deliver unseen levels of luxury and innovation to the segment. Interestingly, the luxury and innovation items (AIRCAP and AIRSCARF) aim to make vehicle occupants feel like the soft-top is up when it's down.

Indeed, it seems a bit strange to drop almost $60,000 on a convertible designed to make it feel like the top's up when it's down, but there's a certain inexplicable joy when headroom's infinite and your hair's just ever-so-softly wafting in the wind at 70 mph. Mercedes-Benz invited us to drive the all-new E-Class convertible, and it's obvious MB's learned a thing or two about building a convertible. Read our full review to get the inside scoop.