Race car driver Jackie Weiss tests the Mercedes E-Class convertible from Fischer Car Group.
Marbella has been officially appointed as the city with the second-most sold Ferraris (according to the statistics; the most Ferraris are sold in Geneva, Swiss). But on the streets of Marbella, it is not only the Italian brand that is seen often. Marbella has always been the place for the expensive, elegant, luxurious and fast cars. In addition, with less than 45 days of rain a year, the Costa del Sol is a pure convertible paradise.
Just before the Christmas lights are hung up at the Ricardo Soriano Mainstreet in Marbella, the trees decorate the city with their pink blossoms. In these warm winter days the sun often still brings it to 20 degrees, which is to me the perfect convertible weather.
My test drive begins in the early morning picking up of the diamond white metallic E-Class convertible at the Fischer Mercedes Consulting store in Marbella. Although on this day the thermometer does not quite show the 20 degrees, I still choose to drive around the city “topless”. With a touch of a button I sent the fabric roof into the trunk and not even 20 seconds later I’m ready to go. Another push of a button and the new airscarf and the heated seats are activated too. For those people who still feel cold, but want to enjoy the fresh air and the freedom of the convertibles, there are many more amenities. For example the new automatic wind deflector, Aircap. If activated, an electrically operated wind deflector rises from the top of the windscreen which helps channel the air flow over and away from the cockpit – just to mention some of the many functional switches and buttons in the cockpit of the Mercedes E 350 CGI convertible. Seen from my own race car drivers point of view, obviously far too many buttons. I admit the fact, that the car can remember my exact seat position, thanks to the Mercedes Memory package, is quite practical. But by latest when I read something about distance cruise control or overtaking sensor it starts to get creepy – thanks, but I would like to stay the driver.
At the first red light near the old town, I have time to take a better look at the interior. The combination of the black artico leather and the black wood imitation is in no case too dark, but rather represents the well-known class of Mercedes-Benz. The sporty steering wheel points with the easy to operate speakerphone, navigation system and radio buttons. The various functions on the center console are likewise easy to work, without having read the manual.
Stylish open I continue driving along the coast, passed Puerto Banus. The display shows me the low fuel consumption of 8.5l, but not only that: the new intelligent beauty of Mercedes recognizes every single speed sign and reminds the driver unobtrusive with the corresponding image on the display. In other words, the typical excuse you tell the police for speeding that you “did not see the sign” would be very inopportune, when driving this Cabriolet.
The Mercedes promotional brochure states that the new E-Class convertible does not follow trends, but makes them. Quickly it becomes clear to me what this actually means, the car is a perfect mix between sporty driving fun and comfort. I’m sitting in the drivers seat like a queen, and thats how the convertible treats me. I hardly notice any of the on the Costa del Sol typical street bumps or potholes. This is the result of the standard Agility Control package, which automatically adapts to ones driving style or a specific road condition. The steering of the nearly 1.8 ton car with the star is precise and very sporty for the 292 hp, 4.7 meter long cabriolet, that accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 6.8 seconds.
The last stop on my trip on the A-7 between Fischer Mercedes Marbella and Estepona was a place on the Costa del Sol, right beside the Kempinski Hotel Bahía, where two continents kiss. During the sunset over south Spain, the E-Class presents itself from its best side one last time.
App Marbella and Fischer Car Group will be frequently updated and presents monthly a special Top Ten Offer. The Marbella App is free to download.
