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  Benz released the first pictures of the new E-Class Cabrio this week and the droptop completes the company's mid-sized lineup. Photo Gallery

The top is down and the gloves are off as Mercedes-Benz goes all-out to end BMW's open-air advantage in Australia.

BMW's 3 Series cabrio has been the buyer's benchmark in German fresh- air contenders in recent years but Mercedes believes it can lure people to its brand by ripping the top off its newest E-Class. The E Cabrio is all new and replaces the CLK droptop, promising more space and practicality thanks to a four-seat cabin and a folding canvas roof. Benz also believes it can do the job against the latest Audi S5 cabrio, which has just landed in Australia to put more sizzle into the summer showroom stoush.

The E Cabrio will not land until next year and it could easily run into a winter chill, but Benz says it has two systems to keep its owners toasty and happy. The first is the Airscarf, which is already fitted to Benz droptops and blows heated air from vents around the headrest to keep necks warm.

Now it also has Aircap, an electrically operated draft excluder for all four seats in the E, which should also get a workout in Australia with deliveries not starting until autumn next year.  "We don't get it until late March or early April. But the Airscarf and Aircap will definitely make a difference once we get into winter," admits David McCarthy, spokesman for Mercedes-Benz Australia.

Benz released the first pictures of the new E-Class Cabrio this week and the droptop completes the company's mid-sized lineup. "We have an E sedan, and a coupe, and a wagon. So now we have a full family with the Cabrio," says McCarthy.

He admits the E replaces the previous CLK but says it takes a different approach. And one that has not been used by Benz since the 1990s. "This is a proper four-seater. Ok, it won't carry four seven-footers, but it's for real people."

McCarthy is also quick to defend the car's canvas top which, despite extra insulation and noise protection, trails the folding hardtop designs used on many convertibles including the Lexus IS-C. "There are a couple of reasons for the top. The first is customer feedback that they like the ragtop because there is less compromise on boot and passenger space. In a two-seat car you can use quite a bit of space for the folding roof, but this is a four-seater. "The other issue is that, predominantly, the E Cabrio will be parked off the street in garages. The security issues of some cars, like the Pueoget CC and the Ford Focus, is that the majority of those vehicle are sold in Europe and parked on the street. So a hardtop is important to their owners."

The exact price and specification of the E Cabrio is not finalised but Australian shoppers will see the car first with a 350 petrol engine. The 250 petrol and diesel will follow, along with a V8. "It really depends on the numbers we can get. We'll start with the 350," says McCarthy.

"If you look at the price, the E-Class coupe (from $94,500, $127,500 with the 350) is a good starting price but with an obvious premium for the roof. The 3 Series will be a rival, yes, but size-wise our car is more like a 4 Series, which doesn't exist."