More pictures of the Mercedes E-class cabrio have been released, aswell as details of how the innovative retractable wind deflector thatsits at the top of the windscreen works.
Called Aircap, thedriver-operated system raises a wind deflector on the tip of thewindscreen to direct wind 20cm higher, over the top of the passengercompartment. It works in conjunction with a rear deflector to eliminatebuffeting and reduce noise with the roof down.
Itcan be raised up to 99mph, and operates effectively up to 161mphph. Asa result, Mercedes says the car is the first cabrio that can be used asa permanent four-seater throughout the year and on any type of road.
Thesystem was developed over “between two and three thousand hours” in thewind tunnel according to Teddy Woll, Mercedes’ senior manager ofaerodynamics.It is made up of 211 different parts, is built with 44different materials and has been tested in extreme conditions throughmore than 10,000 cycles.
However, although Mercedes says it couldbe used on other open-top models, its effectiveness makes it mostpractical only for four-seaters. Insiders also say that Mercedesdesigners are conscious that the system, while practical, would not bewelcomed by style conscious buyers of sportier two seaters.
Thecoupe version of the new E-class is the world’s most aerodynamicproduction car with a Cd of 0.24, but the cabriolet’s rises to 0.28.Raising the Aircap further disturbs that figure, rasing fuelconsumption by an additional 1.2mpg on average.
The E-classcabrio is based on the E-class coupe, and will go on sale in the UKnext March and will have Aircap fitted as standard. Air scarf, whichdirects hot air around occupants’ neck, will be available as an option.
Itis around 70kg heavier than the coupe, and will have the same range offour, six and eight-cylinder engines as the latest E-class saloon andcoupe, including the twin-turbo four-cylinder E250 CDI.
Priceshaven’t been determined yet, but sources suggest they will be aroundfive per cent less than on the current CLK cabriolet, in line withreductions for the latest generation saloon and coupe models.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...-Class/245771/ 
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