Well this is really no surprise from Carlsson. Having already released a tuning package for the sedan, we knew a Cabriolet version wouldn’t be far off. Mercedes-Benz has really done a fantastic job changing the E-Class from mundane luxury sedan to sporty coupe and convertible, filling voids and increasing the breadth of the E-Class moniker. And Carlsson’s tuning kit brings much of the same consistency we can expect from their reputable brand.

Targeted towards the E350 CDI, a C-Tronic Diesel Power plug-and-play ECU increases horsepower from 231-hp to 280-hp. Torque skyrockets from 400 ft-lbs to close to 480 ft-lbs. Impressive indeed, especially at the price of $2,300. Sport mufflers are available for $2,950 giving the E-Class Cabriolet a nice, sporty and throatier tone.

On the exterior is classic Carlsson styling that is often seen on many Mercedes-Benz models. There is a front spoiler, front spoiler lip, and rear spoiler available as subtle enhancements to the exterior. Lowering springs and Carlsson’s signature wheels are also available – which is expected and almost assumed with any tuning package.

And of course there are your interior upgrades including a new shifter, door pins, floor mats and pedals. Of course these all carry a pretty price premium. All of it will run you around $900.

GALLERY: Carlsson Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Official press release available after the break.

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After a two-year hiatus, the girls from Sex and the City are back, and they’ve brought a few new friends with them. No, it’s not a few dozen pairs of Jimmy Choos (although, they do make an appearance). Sharing the screen with these 40-somethings is Mercedes-Benz’s ultra-luxurious Maybach line.

Fitting right into the exclusive lifestyle of style icons Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda, the all-new E-Class Convertible, the S400 Hybrid Sedan, the G-Class SUV and Maybach sedan are going along for the ride this time around as the ladies escape from New York.

“Based on the success of the first movie and its ability to attract trendsetters and style-makers, Sex and the City 2 is a natural fit for Mercedes-Benz,” says Steve Cannon, Vice President of Marketing, Mercedes-Benz USA. “The movie provides a great stage for us; it showcases our new eco-friendly flagship S-Class, ruggedly sophisticated G-Class and ultra luxury Maybach line in their natural elements. It also perfectly positions the new E-Class Convertible just as it arrives in showrooms.”

Mercedes is also promoting the E-Class Cabriolet in an ad campaign that partners with the movie, sporting the tagline: “Stylish Enough for Carrie, Luxurious enough for Charlotte, Smart enough for Miranda and fast enough for Samantha.” And if you get it silver, the E-Class will go with every outfit.

Read the complete Press Release after the jump:

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We’ll say it since everyone’s thinking it. Mercedes-Benz is really milking this generation E-Class for all it’s worth. First the sedan was released to much praise; then the coupe comes out and everyone rejoices, and now the cabriolet. But who benefits more from Mercedes-Benz’s continual segmentation from their E-Class? Brabus of course!

After releasing tuning packages for both the sedans and the coupes, their natural progression is over to the cabriolet. And this time they’ll have everything ready for the vehicle’s market launch. Clearly this luxury convertible screams sportiness which is what Brabus built off of: exclusive, sporty and highly individual.

All Brabus tuning packages are comprehensive from bumper to bumper, engine to interior and this package is no different. Starting with engine upgrades, various packages are available based on the E-Class model. We’ll skip over the boring E 250 CDI, CGI and E 350 CDI, CGI and go straight to the E500 (E550 in North America). A stroker kit increases displacement of 5.5-liters to 6.1-liters, which starts the bottom end modifications. New cylinder heads with special camshafts are paired up to the V8 block while bolt-ons include a Brabus stainless-steel exhaust system and high-performance catalytic converters. And of course the ECU is re-programmed. This program throws down 462-hp with 453 ft-lbs of torque. That’s good for 0-62 mph in 4.7 seconds!

An aerodynamic package is manufactured from high-quality Pur-R-Rim plastics which resembles OEM quality – just what we’d expect from Brabus. A front spoiler incorporates daytime LED running lights while front sport fenders sports some air vents. The rear diffuser is setup to incorporate the Brabus quad-tip exhaust.

As always, plenty of wheels can be selected from Brabus from 17- to 19-inch with a recommended staggered 19-inch setup sporting 235/35/19 and 275/30/19 sized tires. Brabus did hint that 20-inch wheels are on the horizon. Lowering options are available from sport springs (1.2-inch) to adjustable coilovers with variable damper rates.

Never to overlook any aspect, Brabus six-piston aluminum calipers with 14.2-inch slotted and drilled rotors in the front while the rear sports four-piston calipers. And if your wallet is still full after all this, talk to them about some custom interior upgrades. You know you wanna.

GALLERY: Brabus Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

Official press release after the jump:

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Mercedes chose a frigid day in Detroit to launch the convertible version of its all-new E-Class model. The E-Class Cabriolet extends the E-Class range to four models, which also include the sedan, coupe and wagon/estate.

Styled more aggressively like the C-Class coupe, the convertible will initially be offered with two engine choices: an underwhelming 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a robust 382-hp 5.5-liter V8. Mercedes has also opted to go with a conventional rag-top, rather than a hard top, in order to keep the weight gain to a minimum. The top drops in roughly 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 25 mph. Soft tops are also supposed to provide more trunk space, but that doesn’t appear to be the case here with just 3.2 cubic feet of space available with the roof down. Top-up, there is plenty of room, with a total of 13.8 cu.-ft.

A new item included in the E-Class Cab is what Mercedes has dubbed the AirCap. The system includes a wind deflector mounted to the top of the windshield as well as draft stops inside the cabin. It can be deployed at the push of a button and doesn’t require fiddling or installation; plus it also doesn’t block off the rear seats like some wind deflectors do. And along with keeping a more balanced temperature inside the cabin, it also reduces interior noise.

Seeing it in action at the Detroit Show it certainly does look a bit dorky, but it’s likely to be a huge hit with female buyers who want to drive with the top down, but don’t want to have to re-do their hair once they get to their destination.

The AirCap can also be paired with Merc’s Airscarft, which blows air out of the front headrests and right onto the neck of the driver and front passenger.

As with all new E-Class models, the Cabriolet comes with an extensive list of safety features, as well as pop-up roll-over bars and the company’s first use of headbag airbags.

The E-Class Cabriolet will be available in dealerships in May. Until then, check out the huge gallery of photos below.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Official Pictures

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Mercedes has just released full details and a large selection of photos of its latest model, the E-Class Cabriolet, which will officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks – a very convertible unfriendly time of year.

Like the E-Class Coupe, the Cabriolet model is actually based on the smaller C-Class platform and will initially offered with two engine choices: an underwhelming 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 and a robust 382-hp 5.5-liter V8. Mercedes has also opted to go with a conventional rag-top, rather than a hard top, in order to keep the weight gain to a minimum. The top drops in roughly 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 25 mph. Soft tops are also supposed to provide more trunk space, but that doesn’t appear to be the case here with just 3.2 cubic feet of space available with the roof down. Top-up, there is plenty of room, with a total of 13.8 cu.-ft.

A new item included in the E-Class Cab is what Mercedes has dubbed the AirCap. The system includes a wind deflector mounted to the top of the windshield as well as draft stops inside the cabin. It can be deployed at the push of a button and doesn’t require fiddling or installation; plus it also doesn’t block off the rear seats like some wind deflectors do. And along with keeping a more balanced temperature inside the cabin, it also reduces interior noise.

The AirCap can also be paired with Merc’s Airscarft, which blows air out of the front headrests and right onto the neck of the driver and front passenger.

As with all new E-Class models, the Cabriolet comes with an extensive list of safety features, as well as pop-up roll-over bars and the company’s first use of headbag airbags.

We’ll have our first up-close look at the E350 Cabriolet and E550 Cabriolet at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks and the car will arrive in dealerships in May. Until then, check out the huge gallery of photos below.

GALLERY: 2011 Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet

Official release after the jump:

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