The fifth member of the all-new Mercedes-Benz E-Class family has been revealed this week just ahead of the Geneva Motor Show, the new E-Class Cabriolet.

Based on the also new E-Class Coupe, the Cabriolet launches with a cloth soft top that mimics the silhouette of the Coupe near identically. Available in a wide selection of colors the top can be opened and closed at speeds of up to 30 mph and it stows cleanly under a hard tonneau cover when down.

The body itself like the new E-Class Coupe features a lower aluminum hood with the familiar power dome design wrapped around LED headlights. One significant difference is a ride height .6-inches lower than the E-Class sedans for a sportier stance. It’s also the largest E-Class Cabriolet yet with a total length of 190-inches.

When the top is down, an available active aerodynamic system called AIRCAP raises a wind deflector at the top of the windshield and a wind blocker just behind the rear seats. Together they reduce buffeting and wind noise at speed. And on colder days the AIRSCARF venting on the seats keeps warm air on your neck.

Available in several color combinations and with near infinite finishes, the cabin is lined with luxurious touches and high technology. A hallmark of the E-Class is its wide flat screen instrument cluster that when optioned features dual 12.3-inch information screens.

The combination allows for multiple design and information layouts you can customize yourself whether it be driving metrics, navigation or connectivity features for the audio system. The only question I have is with the top down will sun glare be an issue on the shiny screens.

On the road, the E-Class Cabriolet will feature first a 329 horsepower 3.0-liter twin turbocharged V6 engine mated to a 9-speed automatic transmission. A high-performance AMG model will follow with yet more horsepower. And this year, the E-Class Cabriolet will be available for the first time with 4MATIC all-wheel drive to make it practical all year around in colder climates.

Also available will be the latest generation of the AIR BODY CONTROL suspension which features multi-chamber air springs. This is notable because having multiple chambers enables more adjustability in firmness with the drive modes which along with the adjustable dampers allow for a wide band between soft and firm settings.

Mercedes-Benz tells us the new Cabriolet’s body structure is also the tightest yet when it comes to rigidity often lost when the roof comes off a coupe. Stiffer body structures for instance in the floor and cowl made of die-cast aluminum are more resistant to twisting than conventional stampings.

The all-new 2018 E-Class Cabriolet line will make its debut this week at the Geneva Motor Show and will be arriving in North American dealerships this fall. Pricing and final specifications will be along closer to that time.